Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

Earlier this week, I posted that shampoos for my 11 month old have become, uhm, dramatic. Lots of crying and fighting, and it just seems to get worse. This started not immediately, but around the time we moved him to the big tub.

Well, I think I was a bad mommie and messed up by forcing him to get his shampoo the last couple baths, because today, as soon as I was done washing him, he stood up and started crying, trying to get out of the tub. I think he knows what's coming next. Which is good for his cognitive development, but bad when it comes to shampoos! I wound up just washing his head with a wet washcloth, but he'll need a shampoo sonner or later.

So I guess I should wash his hair outside of the bath for awhile? I don't want him to refuse to take a bath next, and start becoming afraid of the water, which he liked just fine until recently. I was going to try having him wash his doll's hair this morning, but I couldn't even get to that.

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

mine has hated getting his hair washed since day 1.

I still do it immediately when he enters tub.

Then I tell him the work is done and its time to have fun...that's when he plays and I read and sing.

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

I was thinking of trying the shampoo first next time, but I'm afraid he'll just refuse to get in the tub at all next time.

This took me by surprise, because he used to hate baths, but he was always okay with his shampoos (and he had a lot when he was littler with his cradle cap).

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

I have to take ds in the shower with me. Since I forced him to get his hair washed he won't even sit in the tub anymore. He is 10.5months old. I can't wait till he can stand so I don't have to hold him. I can just shower him from the outside of the tub.

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

Rylan has gotten very fussy with getting his hair and body washed. For us it started when he was able to sit up in the tub and play. He doesn't want to lay down to get washed anymore. I do his hair and body as soon as we get in and then let him play...I don't even give him the chance to sit...I put him in laying down.

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

DS is not a fan either, I do it first. Sometime after I am done shampooing he refuses to sit down anymore and just stands, in that case I just wash the rest of him standing. Other times he forgets the earlier trauma and goes back about his playing. He has yet to refuse the bath all together, some days are just better than others.

Re: Oh Boy, More Shampoo Drama

Thanks for the tips! I'll try doing it first maybe and see what happens, though I think I'll stick with the washcloth method for awhile--seems to bother him less than water being poured on his head.