Tanties at bath time
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Topic: Tanties at bath time
Posted By: Neeks
Subject: Tanties at bath time
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 1:28pm
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It's difficult to bathe a screaming baby, and I should know!!! Gah, Keziah has decided that bath time isn't her cuppa tea, she doesn't mind her hair and face being washed but screams from the moment her bum hits the water until she gets her nappy and singlet on at the other end..
I know she's not hungry as I give her a feed not too far before we start so she's got a full tummy so maybe I'm bathing her too late in the day? Help!! Any suggestions greatly appreciated -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: The_Stuarts
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 1:45pm
Hi Neeks
 firstly big hugs. That's the worst, and I know because Michaela was exactly the same. We were told that babies love baths so couldn't believe it when she screamed her lungs out everytime we bathed her.
I finally found out that if I ran a big bath and climbed in with her she was fine and actually loved the water and had a great time playing in it. I think the problem was she hated lying down in the water (and still does) but if I was sitting her up on my lap in the bath she was fine. Give it a go - hope it helps. ------------- http://lilypie.com">   http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: The_Stuarts
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 2:09pm
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Just remembered as a little baby Michaela loved having showers with me holding her. Without soap of course cos she's a slippery little beggar.
If you do decide to have a shower or bath with Keziah it helps to have someone willing to whisk her away when you're finished so you don't need to climb out sopping wet with a baby and don't need to wander around naked while you sort your little one out. Also good excuse to have some time to yourself if you can convince someone else to massage and dress Keziah while you have a soak (or at least a quick wash). ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: .Mel
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 3:12pm
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Cooper did this too, he would scream blue murder everytime he went near the water.
We solved it by making deeper baths with not too many bubbles. (this was in one of those plastic ones) He now goes in the big bath with lots of bubbles and I make it deep enough for him to lay down safely without the water getting in his ears, he loves it. He goes made with kicking. She'll grow out of it. ------------- Mr Mellow (16) Miss Attitude (8) Destructa Kid (3) 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 5:06pm
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Theres was a video at our antenatal class that showed that putting them in tummy first calms them down. Don't know why but on the video the baby went from screaming when on her back to perfectly happy when flipped round onto her tummy. Also second bathing with bubs or taking in the shower, especially good if someone is there to do the dressing for you why you finish having your shower or bath. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: kezplanet
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 5:22pm
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maybe she feels "exposed" (for want of a better word), when the girls were little it used to calm them if I placed a wet face cloth on their tummy or maybe try leaving a singlet on while in the bath - may make her feel a bit more secure Good luck ------------- Kerryn, Mum to Ashlyn(29/3/04), Anastasia(1/11/05) & Abigail (24/02/09) |
Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 6:00pm
We used to always place a wet face cloth on her tummy. She got to enjoy bath time more as she got older and totally loves it now  ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 6:39pm
| I agree with the wet face cloth on the tummy. If you are using a baby bath try and keep her head or feet touching the side/end of the bath, that worked with Jack as well - a security thing I think. |
Posted By: MissCandice
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 6:41pm
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Kylah done this EVERY time i tried to bathe her. For starters is the water to cold?
Other than that i just got in the big bath with her and she loved every minute of it! Big hugs i know how upsetting it is. ------------- ~ Mummy to a beautiful girl ~ |
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 6:49pm
| We bath with Daniel at nights, pretty much always (unless someone else is here at the time). He loves it. He's a slippery wee bugger when he's in the bath by himself so being in with him makes it easy and it's also more bonding time and having the comfort of a parent helps keep them calm. The flannel on their tummies works a charm. |
Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 7:14pm
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the other thing we did instead of the wet face cloth (which didn't work), was to run the bath and just put Jack's feet in only so he could kick around and he had fun doing that, then slowly sat him down and he still enjoyed kicking his feet around and we found from then he was fine ------------- "> 
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Posted By: kabe
Date Posted: 10 January 2008 at 8:04pm
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We use a tummy tub which is like a big bucket. Eva sits upright on her bottom and loves it. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: caitlynsmygirl
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 12:45pm
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funny how they say "all babies love the bath" all babies are individuals, and some like the bath and some dont.
I would make sure its nice and warm, that the atmosphere is relaxing ( hard to do i know when your holding a screaming baby) Caitlyn always preferred being on her tummy with a cloth on her bottom so it didnt get cold, but then C has always been a water baby (can dive 7ft down now  )
you could also try hanging something above the bath, and if you still find he hates it, i would just try to make the whole ordeal over as quickly as possible -for him and YOU 
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Posted By: megrac
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 1:06pm
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amy was the same she would screem the house down she looked like a little red beetroot putting her on her tum helped a little till she got her nappy in a twist again flanel worked a little too but she was soon back to screaming deep baths are better but she is 3 and 1/2 months now and loves her baths she is in a big bath too but it was nice the first time she didnt scream the hole way through ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: cheekymonkeysmum
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 3:13pm
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Hayley didn't like baths much. My friend suggested taking her for a shower when I did. She likes it. She is only in there for 5-10mins. When I have a shower my hubby stands in the bathroom ready and waiting with her towel. throughout the whole experience we talk to her, praise & encourage her for being a good girl. She has started to smile & enjoy it more. I think it is because we are with her and holding her (the comfort & security thing).
I did try having a bath with her (in the big bath) and she didn't cry. I find that if you talk through the whole thing telling them what you are doing, what they are doing ie: touch the water with your hands....make it a learning and pleasant experience. Also give them time and don't force. Good Luck and no harm in trying different things
http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Neeks
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 10:12pm
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Wow, thanks so much for all your help and advice everyone!! Lots of different things for Keziah and I to try at her next bath..
It's quite hard to stay relaxed when she's screaming blue murder and turning beetroot red  I don't want her to have a fear of baths, but if this continues much longer that might just happen!! She does however LOVE me washing her hands and face when she first gets dressed in the morning.. I make a game out of it and she smiles and coos away -------------
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Posted By: razzmatazz
Date Posted: 11 January 2008 at 10:31pm
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hi, willow is the same, she screams and screams in a bath (even tried with me in as well) tried the sink too but hates that too. so now she has baths in buckets. she feels snug and safe and secure i guess, but sheloves it, realy calms her down. its a bit of pain to actually wash them but it does relax her before bed.
shes grown out of her first bucket so we just got a bigger size. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: Neeks
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 4:56pm
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Sounds like tummy tubs are well recommended...
Question: Where can I purchase one from??? -------------
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Posted By: MyMinis
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 5:27pm
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Haleigh hated bathtime till we used the big bath.
SBoth my kids hate baby baths. As soon as we switched her she was great never another grizzle except when we took her out. I bath James (did with Haleigh to) before his bottle and around 5 - 6pm so not to late. Some babies dont like a full tummy at bathtime ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
http://tweetytweety85.bebo.com - bebo |
Posted By: razzmatazz
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 9:20pm
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there is a site, but cant remember what it was, i googled it. they about $60. we were too cheap and just bought bucket from warehouse for $3, does the job. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Neeks
Date Posted: 12 January 2008 at 11:49pm
Wow, that's a bit steep LOL I'm a scrooge as is my DH so I don't think we'll be getting one of those... a bucket will have to do  -------------
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 13 January 2008 at 8:26pm
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Hold her really snug so she feels cozy and secure. Also try bathing at a rested time in the morning, it often works better for us than at nights. -------------  |