Bathtime Fear

[zaydensmomma20]

Just recently, DS pooped in the tub two different times. On both occasions, he flipped out screaming in terror while trying to climb out of the bathtub. Now, DS is deathly afraid of baths. He will scream and basically the whole bathtime is a complete disaster. Bath toys (new and old) do not change a thing. Me and DH try to get him distracted on other things (ie: playing) which doesn't work either. I have yet to try bubble baths because the last time I used bubble bath liquid it made DS break out in a rash. I've brought this up to his pediatrician, but she said that it'll just take time for him to "forget" the whole poop-in-the-tub incident. The only thing that kind of works (as in I can actually get him clean) is me being in the tub with him. Only that with me in there, he whines and holds onto me for dear life. 

Ladies, do you have any suggestions as to how to tame his fear of bathtime? Before this incident, he absolutely loved baths besides the whole washing hair process.

Thanks in advanced!

[sep509bride]

Maybe try taking a break from baths and try a shower with him instead? Do you have just one tub/shower? If not maybe try the other one just to change things up.

[zaydensmomma20]

sep509bride, Hmm..I didn't think of trying the shower instead. That might work. We only have one bathroom in our house, which sucks, so the switching bathrooms wouldn't be possible. I'll try the shower today though. Hopefully, that will help. I dread giving him a bath now that it has become a stressor for both of us. Thank you!

[TheEleventhHour]

I was going to suggest a shower too. DS pooped in the tub about a year ago and he freaked out!!! That is when I started showering with him. We still mostly just do showers because it is easier but he did eventually come back around to loving the bath. It took several weeks but he got over the poop incident.

[b0710]

I will 3rd the shower suggestion. That's really the only think that I can think of until more time as passed. Hopefully eventually he will get over it (or he will like showers, which isn't a bad thing either).

[littleheaven]

dd seems to always poop in the tub....doesn't phase her
however, after the bathroom reno, i forgot to put a non slip thing in the tub and she slipped (she likes to stand) and then it was real hard to get her back in the tub....she's not a fan of showers.....all it took to get her back in the tub was a new toy....target had stacking cups for $1 in the dollar spot....that's all it took

[michieu129]

Aw...poor little man. Baths sound pretty tough now. I agree about giving a shower a try for a little while.

[zaydensmomma20]

Thank you everyone for the advice. I tried using the shower this weekend and it was a success! It took him a while to get used to it but after a couple minutes he started enjoying it!

[michieu129]

Yay!! Glad to hear. Hope it makes life easier for you for a little while!!

[jcar]

I'm glad he enjoyed the shower! That was going to be my suggestion as well. DS loves the shower but also likes the bath.