Baby bathtime - doomed to have the stinky child?

Question

my little one hates bath time always has i use the little yellow bear sponge and she screams warm water cool water still screams ive even gotten in the tub with her still doesn't like baths ive gone as far as getting into the shower with her to wash her hair quick it gets the job done quickly but she still screams any help would be appreciated

Answer 1

Give her a "sponge"bath where you just wash her with a rag and use a sink of water instead of immersing her in that huge tub.  OR.... Try putting her in tub when there is no water in there and then gradually add some as she is comfortable with it.  Might take several times.

Answer 2

I nursed baby in the tub. Of  course you need to be nursing for that to work! But honestly, when it wasn't hot out, we didn't bathe my baby more than 1 time a week until 9 months or so. Just a quick swipe at the neck and face with a washcloth puppet, and she was fine.  

Answer 3

My dd hated baths and did NOTHING but scream the first 3 months..she's just about 8 months now and LOVES them

Answer 4

My daughter is 11 weeks old & she HATES getting in her baby bathtub! She screams her head off. The only way now I can get her to let me clean her is if I stand in the bathroom over the sink & clean her with a washcloth. I also have to talk to her & make faces at her to get her attention & to keep her from squirming. I think I'll try again in a week or so. Maybe it's a phase she will outgrow.  

Answer 5

Mine always screamed when I washed her hair. It's got to be done, just wash her quickly while she screams. She doesn't need a bath every day.

Answer 6

Wow, my baby never had an issue with water.  You can lay her down on a blanket or big fluffy towel and just wash her with a soapy washcloth, then rinse with a clean washcloth, keeping her covered with another towel to stay warm.  Maybe the noise of the water is scary.  If she's old enough to play with toys, I've found that distraction is the best way to accomplish things around kids.  Whether it's in the bath, grocery store, or doctor.  Good luck!

Answer 7

Maybe the timing of the bath isn't right?  My daughter needs to be in the right "mood" to enjoy her baths.  She does best when she is not drowsy and has recently eaten.

I don't know what the "little yellow bear sponge" is but make sure she is comfortable, warm but not hot water.  If part of her body is sticking out of the water (inevitable it will at 3.5 months) then make sure you are continually pouring warm water over her while you soap her up.  Also make sure she feels supported in whatever type of bath seat thing you use.

Answer 8

is she 3,5 months old?maybe then its normal,shes still defenceless.

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Answer 9

I know you said you've experimented with the water temperature, but how about the air temperature?  I bought a little portable space heater that use just for my son's bath time.  I turn it on about 10 minutes before I plop him in the tub to get it nice and roasty-toasty in there. That way, it's not a shock to his little body when his clothes come off and his skin's wet.

Answer 10

Use wipes for the in-between times. I'm not sure what else you could do except pray that God will calm her fears. Try wringing a washcloth over her head-I assume she doesn't have THAT much hair. Or you could gently spritz her hair with a plant mister that hasn't been used for anything else. Sponge baths might work until she's not afraid any more.

Answer 11

How old is she?

My son hated baths until he was around 4-5 months old.  Now he loves them.  I've heard newborns hate bathtime.

Answer 12

My baby hated baths till she was about 4 or 5 months. Now I can't keep her out of the water! You have tried toys right? Selina still won't take her bath without her ducks. Try to make it fun. Also how do you put her in the water? Selina has to be put in slowly and hates to just be dropped in. You could also try somewhere besides the bathroom. Before Selina could sit up she took her baths in the kitchen sink. Or you could just let her sit on the counter with her feet in the water till she want to go into the water. Just make sure your in a good mood when You go to give her her bath if your tense or nervous she'll sense that and think of the bath as a bad thing. N-E-way hope some of this helps.

P.S. I either held Selina or she sat in a sling. Maybe she doesn't like the sponge.

Answer 13

My wee girl screamed the house down during baths for the first 2 months or so until one day I accidentally made the bath way too deep (got distracted by my cute baby!! lol). It was deep enough for me... I put her in it anyway, just supported her under the neck and let her body float and she loved it. I think it might have reminded her of the womb or something. I did that for a few weeks and it made bath time so much more pleasant. Now she just gets a bath a few inches deep (shallow enough that she can lie in it without me holdin her head out the water. She loves to splash around now. And now shes 6 months and she loves to sit up in the bath once we've finished washing so she can play with her toys for a few mins. Dont worry, either way she'll grow to love bath time! Good luck!  x