Bathing an unhappy baby

Barbie - posted on 04/03/2009

Quoting Rebekah:

Quoting Barbie:

Quoting Kelly:

Try bringing him into the bath with you, splash around with your hands and feet like you are having fun, children learn from example. Praise him often or get really excited when he makes a splash.
I usually get into the big bath tub with my son, he loves it soo much that we now take him to swim lessons (he's 6 1/2 months)

Aw that's so sweet :-D.  I think I'll give that a shot - hopefully he enjoys water by the time summer comes around so I can take him swimming!

What about taking him swimming now? Go to a hotel or community indoor pool.  Maybe that will help him transition to a bath tub.  We took our son swimming at a hotel and he LOVED it!! He saw the pool and tried jumping out of our arms to get into it.  LOL He had so much fun!

That's a good idea.  I'll have to try that one out.  Thanks :-D.

Rebekah - posted on 04/01/2009

Quoting Barbie:

Quoting Kelly:

Try bringing him into the bath with you, splash around with your hands and feet like you are having fun, children learn from example. Praise him often or get really excited when he makes a splash.
I usually get into the big bath tub with my son, he loves it soo much that we now take him to swim lessons (he's 6 1/2 months)

Aw that's so sweet :-D.  I think I'll give that a shot - hopefully he enjoys water by the time summer comes around so I can take him swimming!

What about taking him swimming now? Go to a hotel or community indoor pool.  Maybe that will help him transition to a bath tub.  We took our son swimming at a hotel and he LOVED it!! He saw the pool and tried jumping out of our arms to get into it.  LOL He had so much fun!

Barbie - posted on 04/01/2009

Quoting Kelly:

Try bringing him into the bath with you, splash around with your hands and feet like you are having fun, children learn from example. Praise him often or get really excited when he makes a splash.
I usually get into the big bath tub with my son, he loves it soo much that we now take him to swim lessons (he's 6 1/2 months)

Aw that's so sweet :-D.  I think I'll give that a shot - hopefully he enjoys water by the time summer comes around so I can take him swimming!

Barbie - posted on 04/01/2009

Quoting Erica:

I have read that the water shouldn't be too hot as to be uncomfortable on the inside of your wrist. Maybe the water is too hot for him? I have one of those ducks that say hot in white when the water is too hot. The duck has been good because I would have put her in there with the water too hot a few times. Good luck!

I have the same rubber ducky :-D.  Also, there's a thing in his baby bathtub that also turns a different color if the water's too hot, so I don't think that that's the problem, but maybe he prefers it even cooler.  It def. won't hurt to try!

Kelly - posted on 03/31/2009

Try bringing him into the bath with you, splash around with your hands and feet like you are having fun, children learn from example. Praise him often or get really excited when he makes a splash.

I usually get into the big bath tub with my son, he loves it soo much that we now take him to swim lessons (he's 6 1/2 months)

Erica - posted on 03/31/2009

I have read that the water shouldn't be too hot as to be uncomfortable on the inside of your wrist. Maybe the water is too hot for him? I have one of those ducks that say hot in white when the water is too hot. The duck has been good because I would have put her in there with the water too hot a few times. Good luck!

Barbie - posted on 03/31/2009

Quoting Stephanie:

My little one wasn't the biggest fan of baths in the baby tub so I take her into the bath with me and have turned it into play time. We've gotten some colourful little toys as well to distract her a bit when we start washing. She also likes the water to be warmer than I would have thought to be comfortable for her.

I always have the water quite warm (but not hot) for him, but I haven't actually tried getting into the tub w/ him.  This might have to be my next mission!  Thank you :-D.

Barbie - posted on 03/31/2009

Quoting Rebekah:

Have you tried a different time of day? My son screams and won't last long in the tub if it's past a certain hour.

Well today I tried it a little bit after he woke up instead of waiting until tonight & he still was very unhappy & screaming, as usual :-/ .  Thanks for the advice, though.

Stephanie - posted on 03/30/2009

My little one wasn't the biggest fan of baths in the baby tub so I take her into the bath with me and have turned it into play time. We've gotten some colourful little toys as well to distract her a bit when we start washing. She also likes the water to be warmer than I would have thought to be comfortable for her.

Rebekah - posted on 03/30/2009

Have you tried a different time of day? My son screams and won't last long in the tub if it's past a certain hour.

Barbie - posted on 03/29/2009

Quoting Rebecca:

Have you tried different temparture water?  (within a range of cool to slightly hot) Have you tried taking a bath with him a few times?

Are you doing it at a certain time of day.. like right before bed when he is already tired/cranky? Maybe try a morning bath or another time when he is playing.

Since he screams at the sight of the tub, maybe try the kitchen sink and see what happens and then gradually go back to the infant tub. 

I haven't tried the different temperature water.  I guess I figured all babies like warm water, so I always make his very cozy.  I haven't taken a bath w/ him either, I usually kneel in the floor next to the tub.

I generally do the bath @ night b/c I have school most days.

I did try the sink.  He hates that as well.  He didn't really mind laying on a towel being basically sponge bathed, but I want him to get used to the idea of a bath, so I try not to do that.

Thanks for all your great tips, I'm definitely going to be trying all of them out!

Barbie - posted on 03/29/2009

Quoting Joy:

have u tried the shower? my son loves the shower, i just got one of those little shower seats for him....

I haven't tried the shower yet.  I did try sitting him in the tub & just using a wet washcloth & then pouring water over him to rinse him off & he wasn't having that either.  Maybe I'll try the shower, though.  I'm desperate!

Rebecca - posted on 03/29/2009

Have you tried different temparture water?  (within a range of cool to slightly hot) Have you tried taking a bath with him a few times?

Are you doing it at a certain time of day.. like right before bed when he is already tired/cranky? Maybe try a morning bath or another time when he is playing.

Since he screams at the sight of the tub, maybe try the kitchen sink and see what happens and then gradually go back to the infant tub. 

Joy - posted on 03/28/2009

have u tried the shower? my son loves the shower, i just got one of those little shower seats for him....