Suddenly terrified of the bath with no explanation.

[blush]

A couple of days ago I put A in the bath and she immediately stood up and wanted out. She seemed really scared so I took her out without making a big deal out of it. The next time we tried to give her a bath she would not even put a foot in the tub. She wrapped her arms around my neck and hung on as if her life depended on it. She still asks for a bath but when we get it ready she will have none of it. 

I have no idea what's going on. She usually loves her bath and nothing has happened to scare her. Nothing has changed in the last week. Anyone have a toddler that is suddenly afraid of the tub? What did you do?

I plan on wearing my swimsuit and getting in the tub to see if she wants to join me but that is all I can think of doing. My mother thinks it is incredibly strange and that I should just force her screaming in to the tub.

[missk0411]

Does she have diaper rash? When A has had it, she definitely fights the tub. For now though, I'd go with it. We only bathe A twice a week, and really, if we could wash her hair somehow, she might not even need that. I would not force her into the tub if she was legit terrified about it.

[blush]

I thought it might have been related to being sore but she looks ok. Thanks for replying, I am glad to hear someone say don't force her. I don't think I could even if I wanted to.

[Deleted]

At be try just wiping her down with a wet/soapy wash cloth.

Would she take a shower with you? Maybe try that and see what happens. Crazy toddler may just go for it!

[huzzahuzza]

J went through this a little bit ago. He would scream bloody murder if we put him anywhere near water. It lasted exactly 4 bath nights and then he was magically over it. We tried all the things you're mentioning too. Maybe it's a weird phase?!?!

[kcwnc]

Ours was related to him peeing into the rub and my H overreacting because it startled him as well. It took maybe a week before he was ok with it again. We just had a lot of positive talk and brought a few new toys in and he was game again. We had him take a quick shower with me the next morning after he refused but still made attempts on his normal tub nights.

[john5111]

We have gone through this as well..he was over it within a couple of weeks..sometimes I think hes just overtired too and knows oh bath time means bed... I just try and distract him and pour water in front of him and then he laughs..just try to distract is my suggestion.

[3timemom]

LO didn't exactly throw a fit about the tub bug he would want to stand the whole time. My husband has been doing showers with him and he likes that much better. Hopefully it's just a phase.

[blush]

Although I am not glad to hear other babies have had this problem I am glad we are not alone. I am going to the store right now to buy a few new bath toys and hopefully that helps. We will shower or bathe outside of the tub until then. Thanks for the help.

[allydncr]

Yup, we had the same thing a while back. She wouldn't fight me to get into the tub, but she would cry the whole time she was in it. She still doesn't love the hair washing part, even if I don't get water in her eyes, but she's much better now. I didn't force it and just tried to talk about it being fun, and let her take her time going in. And then once she was in the tub, we bathed quick! GL and hopefully LO will be back to normal soon!

[RiseAndWine]

A friend of mine on Fb posted about having the same problem with her 2 year old. It was really really bad for like several months. She was almost ready to take her to a psychologist and was asking for advice via FB. I'll follow up and see if she got help or it passed. It came on suddenly like with your DD but hopefully it will be a quick Phase for you!

[blush]

Thanks for the advice and letting me know others have gone through this. A still isn't ok but she will get in for a few minutes if I am in with her and we have her new bubble machine blasting. She doesn't mind water pouring over her head to wash her hair, it is something about sitting in the tub. I guess we just proceed very slowly.