Toddler fears
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: Toddler Times
Forum Description: Is bubs growing up and getting into everything? How do you train them to use the potty? When do you start feeding solids? Share your tips and advice here!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=42891
Printed Date: 27 July 2025 at 1:25pm
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Topic: Toddler fears
Posted By: snugglebug
Subject: Toddler fears
Date Posted: 24 December 2012 at 8:31pm
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In the last month or two my two year old has been starting to get scared of things. He will say "Mummy I scare" and run to me for cuddles. Sometimes he is quite specific, like "Mummy rain I scare" or "Swiper I scare" (on Dora haha). More recently he has become scared of the bath and he won't go in it anymore, only the shower. If you talk about the bath he says "I scare bath" and he will go up to it and say that too. I think it is the sound of the plug going out. Is this all pretty normal toddler stuff as they become more aware of their surroundings? He does mostly seem to be scared of loud noises. How should I handle the bath fear? Just leave it for now and gradually try again over time? He used to absolutely love it.. Any ideas welcome. In all other ways he's a happy, secure, lovely little boy. We did just move house, but the fears had started before that. ------------- Me 28, DH 29 DS born 20 Nov 2010 (4 years old) #2 due October 7 http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Replies:
Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 26 December 2012 at 9:01pm
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SOooo many kids seem to face a phase where they are scared of anything and everything at that age. DS definitely did. Like you, baths were no-go zones, he was petrified of having his hair cut, of having his clothes off, of all sorts of things. I figured he was genuinely upset, so didn't force anything on him (well, I would take his t-shirt off, of course, but I would whip a new one on straight away). We just got back into things gradually. For a while, I just sponged down the bits that got smelly. Then I started with a few cm of water in the bath in the mornings, when he was fresher and more able to cope with it. Baths outside were good too, as were bubbles. He's outgrown most of those issues now at 2 1/2 (he was a little younger when they hit him) and he's a normal (very) confident kiddly. I think it's just one of those stages, I wouldn't stress. -------------   
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Posted By: Keleho
Date Posted: 27 December 2012 at 10:41am
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DD1 (2yr 8 months) has twice gone through a phase of hating baths and showers. She seemed genuinely frightened so we gently encouraged it without forcing anything and if she wasnt in to it, we just sponged her down in the bathroom with a flannel. Both times she came back to it, the first time took about 3-4 weeks, the second time 2 weeks. Its totally normal of course for them to have fears and worries, all part of them exploring and discovering the world around them. Try to offer and encourage where possible without pushing or forcing it on him. Of course if they arent urgent things (i.e. he will shower so bathing might not be vital right now), just letting him get back to it in his own time is a good approach. Encouraging similar behaviour but in different circumstances is also good - i.e. water play outside And try not to stress, it wont last forever 
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Posted By: Kristina103761
Date Posted: 17 January 2013 at 11:39pm
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It's very common at age 2 and 3. My son at age 3yo is scared of some of the sweetest things on cartoons and I have to "be with him" and cuddle him. It's a stage they are going through and normal at this age, absolutely. Same with the bath. They go from loving it at age 1yo to often detesting it by age 2 to sometimes mixed feelings at age 3yo, lol.. They sure keep us on our toes! In terms of the bath, the main way to get them in is a mixture of determination on your part (putting them in there) and total distraction (getting them interested in whatever you've got in there). Ideas for distraction: - bubble bath - new toys - playing with the new toys yourself (imaginary game with them) - coloured roll-on soap they can draw on their tummy, arms, legs etc. - getting in with them Good luck! |