Why does my baby hate the bath?

Question

My daughter is now six months old, i just tried giving her a bath and we both ended up in tears. Shouldn't she be used to the bath by now. I have a bath that has a temperature gage and it always says ideal but she screams like i am killing her. I don't know what to do she is my first and i hate to hear her scream please help.

Answer 1

We find it easier if her dad takes her in the shower with him. I wait with a towel so I can dry and dress her. She still screams blue murder, but at least it's over and done with faster than a bath is, and usually more thoroughly. The time will come when he no longer feels comfortable doing that, but she's only 16 months old, so it's still ok.

Answer 2

I often took the baby in the shower with me; we have a little seat and a hand held unit in the shower.  Just found it easier and soooooo much calmer for the little guy (and me!!)  

He just enjoyed being next to me and I was able to really clean him well.  

By 12 months, he was fine in the tub w/ his Elmo tub toys.  

Answer 3

We now have custody of my 6 month old niece (long story) and she responds the same way. It's like torture for me and her. But I do realize she will eventually get used to it. My husband distracts her by acting silly in front of her while I wash her. We also purchased toys to try to make it as enjoyable as possible.

I completley understand how you feel though b/c just the thought of my niece being so upset by it hurts me. But just know that is for her good and she will get used to it.  

Answer 4

I went through that. It's so upsetting. Try:

Making it cooler

Making it a little warmer, or turning up the heat

Singing a silly song every time about the bath, before the bath

More toys

Fewer toys (some babies are upset by too much stimulation)

Check the baby soap- some say no tears but still sting

Use the bulb syringe (the one for the nose) to rinse water away, so it doesn't go on her face

Use the washcloth to keep water from running on the face or in the ears

Shallower water

Good luck!

Answer 5

just put your foot down that's tactic kids use shes getting spoilded don't let her run you you can give her time out like for 1or 2 min just tell her she will have to set in time out until she wants to minds stand there while she in time so she knows she cany get away with it put some plugs in your ears and the tears are fake kids know how to do this i tryed it when i was a kid and it did not work i have a son hes 17 now and he does real fine even in school but he is not afraid of hes a good kid and happy ok

Answer 6

she may be afraid and not feel safe. Try getting in the bath with her and holding her. That will make her feel safer and more secure. I can promise you that the hating the bath will only get worse until it's solved.

EDIT: in my experience those bath temp things were always to cold. My kids hated how cold the water was when I used it.

Answer 7

As ahe gets older she will get more used to it.  I took baths with my son alot when he was little.  I would try that.  Maybe you being in there with her would give her comfort.  If nothing else, just try giving her a sponge bath to at least get her clean.

Answer 8

all babies hate takin a bath at that age its common

Answer 9

Maybe she doesnt like the water, you could try getting in the tub with her to show her that the water will not hurt her. Maybe get her a bath toy she will like :)

Answer 10

Make sure the temperature of the water is bearable for her. Find out what is the right temperature for babies her age and buy a thermometer to check the water, because what might be bearable to you might not be for her.

Answer 11

Hi

Well she doesn't feel secure, yes you could get in the tub with her, and thats always fun, but sometimes it's just not something one has time to do. You want to make bath time fun!

So first lay out a towel on the kitchen counter, get every thing you need baby shampoo, baby soap, a wash cloth {2} a hand towel and the bath towel and a cup.  First wash the baby's hair. let her smell the shampoo first! Put a wash cloth over her eyes, she'll pull it off but it's right there if water starts to get in her eyes. Make sure the water temp is right,

Then proceed to wash and condition her scalp, holding her head with one hand { I often cradle the child with arm and hand} and using the other hand to wash her head with. Using the cup to rinse with! This makes her feel secure!  Sit her up when your done, and dry her head. Then put the stopper in the kitchen sink and fill it half full of warm water. Always test it with your elbow!

Get some little ducks or something and put in the water, this gets her attention, and gently sit her in the sink holding her with one arm and washing her with the other.  Splash a little and let her know it's ok, play like the ducks are swimming about,  but never splash her eyes!  Soon she'll be looking forward to the bath and hair washing all the time!!!!

Good Luck!

Katie

Answer 12

Angele had a great idea - get in the tub with her!  My daughter hated taking a bath but I worked through it and gave her a bath everyday!  I sang songs, made silly faces, bought some cute bath toys (sponges and bubbles make it fun)...and make sure the water is not too cold or even just too hot for her.  Also, I turn the air conditioner off so its not drafty and i use lavender wash----she loves the bath now (she's 7.5 mos).  i also started her swimming at 6mos so she'd get used to water...take it slow but get in the tub and giggle - act silly and she will mimic you and know that all is ok because of your reaction.  good luck!

Answer 13

My son also hated bathes.  I ended up having to get in the big bathtub with him and when he saw me having fun with his bath toys and splashing he started enjoying it too.  I think when I had him in his small tub he was sensing my stress and it was making him stressed too!  My son also has sensitive skin so I had to keep the water slightly cooler then what other kids probably would enjoy. At first I made sure and kept it QUICK (even when I was in there with him) and you just do the best you can and she will get clean enough.  Now he doesn't want to get out!!  

You might have to resort to sitting her in a baby tub without water and just sponge bathing her.  Then each time you give her a bath gradually put a little more water in the bath each time. That way she doesn't get overwhelmed with being in a lot of water all at once.

I am so sorry you ended up in tears!!  I have ended up that way many times!

Answer 14

All babies are different but it took my son a long time to enjoy bath time. Hopefully she will grow out of it Good Luck!!!

Answer 15

That's strange. Usually babies love baths. Maybe she gets cold afterwards so dreads taking the bath? Maybe the soap you are using stings her? Maybe she does not like the floating feeling and you need to use less water? Did anyone else ever bathe her and maybe get soap in her eye or maybe she sucked in water? Maybe she had one bad experience in the bath and it stuck with her?

Try giving her a treat as you put her in the water. A bite of her favorie babyfood just after you sit her in the water, then maybe give her a few bites and then a new bath toy to play with. Smile and laugh like you are having fun bathing her. Maybe you know how much she dreads it so you get stiff and get an unpleasant look on your face when you start to bathe her and she picks up on it? Make it fun and pleasant for her and laugh and smile and talk to her.

Answer 16

I don't know if this will work for a 6 month old, but it worked for my son when he was a newborn. He hated taking baths, as well, and screamed bloody murder every time he even got touched with a little bit of water. So one day I got the idea to try taking a bath with him, and it worked. He was as happy as a lark the entire time... he just didn't like being alone. Another thing you can do is show excitement and happiness and keep playing with her and talking to her through the entire ordeal. Bath puppets are great for this. :)

Answer 17

I don't think it's an issue of not being used to the bath I think it is more about not feeling comfortable with it and maybe not feeling secure.  My son had the same issue when he was a baby and I found that the only way I could give him a bath was getting in the tub with him and holding him close to my body.  We did this up until he was over a year old.  Just be patient I promise it will get better with time.