Bath Time & a 4 month old

DS hates the water - I mean hates it. Baths are not fun in anyway shape or form in our household.

He starts crying hysterical as soon as I walk into the bathroom and begin to lower him into the water.

Once he's in there - its a battle to hold him, wash him and prevent him from hurting himself. He locks his legs making it impossible to keep him in a sitting position.

He just cries the entire time - that DH & I don't bother with more than 2 baths a week. We both get anxiety before, during and after the whole thing...on top of soaked

Any BTDT moms with tips or timeframe as to when he may start to enjoy the water.

He's due for a bath tonight am I already hearing the cries.

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

have you tried adjusting the temp of the water? ds didnt enjoy baths either in the begning... i played with the temp of the water & i discovered he likes it on the warmer side

now he LOVES the bath! just hangs out & enjoys it!

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

Is the water too cold? Too warm? Is he getting cold? Have you tried a warm wet facecloth on his chest to keep him warm? Bathtoys? Bubbles?

DS went through phases of not liking the tub and baths. Probably went back and forth about 3 times.

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

The water is warm. We've adjusted it several times to make it warmer or cooler. Didn't affect him, he still cried.

I've tried running the water in the tub but not in his tub and not immersing him in it - so somewhat of a sponge bath. Didn't like it.

I've tried just the kitchen sink with a towel on the bottom for extra softness - didn't work.

He's too hysterical to acknowledge any bath toys.

I haven't tried placing a warm towel on him while he's in there. I could try that tonight. But I'm anticipating it not going well just from all the twisting he does...

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

Have you tried putting his tub in the big bath tub?

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

definitely try the washcloth on the chest. It made a huge difference with DD. She wasn't as exposed and cold.

And, I keep rewetting it to make sure that it stays warm.

Re: Bath Time & a 4 month old

hi! My DD is 5 months and was the same exact way up until 2 or 3 baths ago. She would scream and cry the whole time, my husband and I woulrd rush just to get it over with!!

We bathe her 2X a week. We have her small bathtub, fill it with water and do it in her room (she has carpet so we always put down a small towel under just in case of leaks)

**I realized she cried less when it was in her room, she hated the bathroom.

**My husband and I are like clowns the whold time, ooing and laughing to keep her distracted.

**We dont put her whole body in right away, we let her stand in there (holding her up) and brush the water against her legs 1st, then tummy, THEN we sit her in. (Kinda like not wanting to jump in the pool all at once LOL)

She has gotten to the point now where there is no crying, but there is no laughing or smiling either. She tolerates it. We are wokring on makign her laugh!!