How do you get a 6mth old to like baths, when they have only ever been able to have showers?

Meisha - posted on 01/09/2010

Hi Deeann. I have 2 children with eczema, In the winter our skin needs more moisture. Water alone can strip our skin. Have you tried a natural goat's Milk Soap if your using store bought soap, its not really soap but a detergent and these are not good for people with eczema, Does the soap yur cuuently using contain SLS (sodium Lauryl sulfate)? Stop if you are. It could be causing some problems.
I may have a natural solution for you. I make and sell natural soap. I have soaps that are excellent for skin issue and especially for itchy skin. Let me know if your interested.

Donna - posted on 01/09/2010

I agree with Gwen, stick to the shower if it already works. Struggling with eczema is enough trauma in the little bub's world isn't it?

Tonia - posted on 01/08/2010

My son hates showers. I tried the shower thing with me and then with his father. It did not work. He screamed and still screams BLOODY MURDER. He is almost 2 and only likes baths. I believe it's the water, the loud noise. I would rather he take baths anyway.

Amy - posted on 01/08/2010

HI. So if he doesnt like baths stay w showers. If u must bath, do it quickly and be done. If he likes it later, u will know

Cheryl - posted on 01/07/2010

go to the local swimming pool, its like a big bath, and it will introduce him slowly to the bath try to add bubbles, he can take his favourite toy with him introthe bath, take a helium balloon with a string into the bath area, hopefully he will then love his bath, so much fun at bath time.

Laura - posted on 01/07/2010

both my kids have eczema so they cant have bubble baths or anything. But they love to play with toys and splash each other. We have to use soap with no fragrences, like dove. sometimes the bath hurts the eczema so we have to shower but once they get use to both its good. Good Luck

Susan - posted on 01/07/2010

Have you tried getting into the tube with him? I did that until my son was about a year old.

Stephanie - posted on 01/07/2010

Don´t worry too much now. My second did not like baths so much when he was a baby. Only recently, from nine months to close to a year, did he really start splashing about and really loving the baths at night.



I would suggest letting him feel the water from the showers and feel the water going more into the bath. (After you do, of course.) Have a squeeze toy or two. Doesn´t have to be too many. And let him see what happens to the water as you squeeze it out of the toy. Or, use a small ball. Or one his other plastic toys and let him see what happens with each of them. Don´t worry. He needs to just perhaps warm up to the bath idea.

R - posted on 01/05/2010

He is an adorable little boy. Good Luck and enjoy bath time!

Deeann - posted on 01/04/2010

Thanks everyone! I tried some of your suggestions today and my little guy did pretty good. No tears this time. I layed a beach towel on the bottom of the tub floor and Paul seemed to enjoy the soft warm cloth against his shin. I think he will learn to love bathtime!

Marni - posted on 01/04/2010

I agree with all of the above. Both my boys (now 6 and 15 respectively) for some reason did not like baths. To cure both of them of this habit in the early months I did get in the tub with them. Now I can't keep either one out of the water...any water, and it only took a few times to get them completely comfortable in a tub of water.
My now 6yr old also was diagnosed with eczema at 18 months. I was completely devastated at the time. Both myself and my kids have very sensitive skin, so I was partially prepared for it. I did switch soap, as most over the counter soaps are harsh and appear to only inflame the eczema more. Since that time I have only used, and continue to use, all natural and sensitive skin products for the whole family.
I certainly don't want to give false hope, but a year later my son's eczema was completely gone and has not returned since. He may have been one of the lucky few who grew out of it, or maybe the products I choose helped. I don't know. But I do believe our water and our products can add to the problem.
The bath time issue will get better, till you can't get them out. Then it will all go awry again when they get older and you can't seem to get them back in....

R - posted on 01/04/2010

I agree, make bath time fun. There are plenty of toys that make bath time full of fun. And sitting in the shower while the tub is filling up is a great way to get it started. I have done this when my kids were little (now 28 & 25) and have used it when my grandson was a baby too...

Sandra - posted on 01/03/2010

get in with him

Christy - posted on 01/03/2010

The ideas about making the bath fun are right on, but please do not put bubbles in there. If he has eczema, the chemicals in most bubble baths will be too harsh on his skin and only make it worse.



My daughter was diagnosed with eczema around 6 months, also, and I happened to meet a woman at a health fair who suggested it was the baby wash we were using. I didn't believe her, but she gave me a sample and it worked. It was Arbonne's Baby Care line and I fell in love. If you need to know where to find it, you can send me a message and I'll send you a link for more info.

Sara - posted on 01/02/2010

my 2 boys (2 and 5) like their bath water much warmer than you would think...maybe its just too cool?? The kitchen sink idea is a great one! Both mine loved it until at least a year old, makes them more comfortable having mommy face level. Good luck!

Jamie - posted on 01/02/2010

Take a bath with him laying on you. I'd keep the shower on too because when they get to be a little older they don't freak out from having water hit their face.

Luz - posted on 01/02/2010

I always use bubble bath as they love bubbles. Obviously use a sensitive skin one. I also throw a few toys in the tub that they only get while in the bath tub. Lastly, just make sure to use super sensitive skin gels/lotions, so that baby is not in pain.

Tanya - posted on 01/02/2010

You can use a digital meat thermometer to make sure the water temp isn't too hot or too cold (the tub will suck some of the heat out of the water so lay the probe end into the tub don't hold it under the running water as the temp read won't be accurate). Also running water like that in a shower is very soothing, so a slow transition would probably be best. You can also try letting him play in a bowl or pot(more stable) of water on the kitchen floor with a cup or other toys so he can see the fun of pooled water.

Dorothy - posted on 01/02/2010

Try a form of tea tree oil product on baby. I have a friend that has eczema quite bad, & even prescriptions, & nothing really helped her. I gave her some tea tree oil skin care, & it has helped her some. Tea tree oil is good for so many things. Lots of Dr.s will not recommend natural products as they will not make money off them. Look at Moses & his people, they lived off the land & look how long they lived. May want to try dripping water over his head, & say shower.

Melissa - posted on 01/01/2010

Renee,

Great idea starting with just a little bit of water would help to ease the transition.

Melissa - posted on 01/01/2010

My friend had that problem also... Small world. She stared getting in the tub with him and snuggling with him while dad washed him so that he felt safe. Then they started using bubbles and toys to show him that it was fun to take baths. It may work for you or it may not. Just take it slow and you should be ok. Your child is probably scared because it is just different then he is used to.

Tiffany - posted on 01/01/2010

Try to check the water's temperature. Too hot or too cold might be causing the discomfort. Also try to sing to him, or talk to him while giving him a bath. There's nothing like the soothing voice of a mom :)



It this doesn't work, let him have his bottle while bathing. This worked perfectly on my 1st child (a boy). You'll need some assistance on this.

Tiffiny - posted on 01/01/2010

go to a dollar store and get some boats, and other bath toys and just use a little water if necessary try plugging the tub while the shower is running and let him play in the tub to get used to the water getting deeper. and then once he is into the toys turn off the shower and see how he reacts.

Abbie - posted on 01/01/2010

We went through a period where our son only would shower; they make an add on for your tub to hook the shower head down lower, its like 4.99 at the local store, it sucks on to the shower wall. I wouldn't change him. Just have him sit. Saves on water adn is much faster. I wouldn't push it. Plus the tub of water might just scare him.

Alana - posted on 01/01/2010

I would probably let him cry, or just give him a shower. Try using oatmeal items for his eczema. I have psoriasis, and the moisturizers helps it, even if its not meant for hair. Oils, creams, lubricants of any sort that wont hurt. I also know that hydrocortizone 1% will help. Try that. Oh and if you just dont want to give him a shower. Then I suggest you being really involved in his bath time.....like getting toys, playing games, splashing water, anything u can think of that he would like or enjoy.....whatever it takes. Maybe even getting in the bath with him. I did that with my son, but he mainly took baths anyways. I rarely gave him a shower, but when I need a shower as well as my son, then I would just have him in the shower with me cause its easier and faster!

Shirley - posted on 01/01/2010

I usually got into the bathtub with my babies. It was more comfortable for me than reaching into the tub to bath the children. It was a fun play time!

Patricia - posted on 01/01/2010

hop in the bath with him... if you don't feel comfortable "in the raw" with him, wear your swimmers....

Leanne - posted on 01/01/2010

Hi, not sure if this will help but I have two boys one 6.5 yrs and the other 8 months both have had an inflatable bath not the hard plastic ones and there are great. They are soft and comfortable so may feel a little nicer than a hard old plastic baby bath, You can buy them at Baby Co... for about $24 .. worth the try... :)

Renee - posted on 12/31/2009

Try getting in with him and plug the tub for a few minutes so that some water accumulates in it and make it very shallow to begin with. Add some toys as advised above. He'll be transitioning in no time. As long as he gets clean who cares how he bathes? Take care.

April - posted on 12/31/2009

I agree with all the advice of the shower to bath transition, bathing with him and toys. I would avoid the bubbles...irritate his skin.

Cheryl - posted on 12/30/2009

I agree with everyone else about taking a bath with him, or putting the plug in when in the shower so he gets used to both. Also, try a little water in the kitchen sink with some bath toys and a good bath oil to help his eczema. I know a great product that I gave my daughter-in-law to use on my granddaughter (16 months old) which has cured her eczema.

Suzanne - posted on 12/30/2009

put the baby bath into the bottom of the shower so he gets used to sitting in the water whilst having the water shower on him??

Joelle - posted on 12/30/2009

i still take showers with my 2 year old when i need to get clean.. but I'll plug the drain so he gets to play in the water.. then we'll wash off again at the end so no sitting dirt in the bath water gets washed back on... try a few different things... (maybe even try the kitchen sink if it's big enough) I know my son absolutely loved that until he got too big

Marianne - posted on 12/30/2009

try giving him some toys but him in a bath with you give him some bubbles to play with

Michelle - posted on 12/30/2009

I had a similar problem with my son. What I did was I would run the shower and put in the bath plug. I would then get in with him and we would play in the tub while the shower was filling it up. When the tub had enough water in it I would shut off the shower after a few tries he stopped minding then I started filling the tub the normal way but still getting in with him. After a little more time he is now fine in the tub with me sitting beside it. Although with all the splashing he does now I still get soaked to the bone. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Tiffany - posted on 12/30/2009

I started taking baths with my son and that worked for us.

Joi - posted on 12/30/2009

True - if it's showers he likes I'd stick with it. But if you really want him to get used to baths then take one with him. Make bath time a fun time and he'll enjoy it.

Gwen - posted on 12/30/2009

Why the switch? If he likes the shower, I'd stick with that.