SPLISH, SPLASH WE’RE NOT HAVING A BATH
Toddlers are funny creatures indeed. I remember a time when one had averse reactions to bathtime. I don’t know how it happened or when it happened.. but my youngest, in all her 13 months had decided she just does not like having a bath.
Where normally daytime baths were a wonderful affair of soapy bubbles and rubber ducky fun, blissfully spent singing Barney songs, had now suddenly turned into a monstrous affair.
Instead of it being a peaceful experience for all, I used to have to use undue force to keep her in the bathing vicinity, whilst I attempted with one struggling hand to throw some water in her direction, usually missing. Ten minutes of vigorous screaming and screeching, I am as wet as she is and the bathroom has seen better days.
At the end of it all I am as crabby as the sorrowful hiccupping child in my hands. Despite it being a necessity, I used to dread bath time. I am sure there are other mothers in the same puzzling predicament. Therefore here are some suggestions as to how to help the bathing averse child:
1. Bathing fears are common: According to the experts, as our babies hit the 12 to 18 months of age, they start to explore different environments. They are also now able to stand or walk on their own. This discovery of new found territory, first offers your baby excitement and then fear. Having a bath is a quite a new experience together, first they are physically apart from you, secondly then have water cascading down their faces, sensorarily and visually their surroundings keep changing. Obviously they do not have the mental ability to figure out this is a temporary experience, once the bath is over all will be well again. Thus for the sensitive child this can truly be a traumatising experience.
2. It’s a phase: As with all fun and quirky behaviour that children portray, this is once again a phase. So do not get too worried about all the commotion during bath time. Try and make it extremely vigorous till your child gets over their fears. 3. Change the environment: Since they are so tiny, you can possible change the place you bathe. Try the kitchen sink, especially after messy meals time, this is a quick way to wash her or him down. So to attempt to make bath times fun, put a paddling pool in the garden and make bath times more fun. If your child still screams on water running down their faces, then try and use soapy wash clothes over their bodies and maybe head washes every other day to minimise the trauma. 4. See it from their perspective: If you look at it from their perspective, it can be a very traumatising experience. Make it as flexible as you can.