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“My 21month old daughter has never been the biggest fan of water when it comes to bath/ shower time but she is becoming exceedingly difficult when it comes to washing. She has no problems jumping in water when there are puddles around, and loves washing her hands, however, when it gets to bath/ shower time, she gets extremely agitated particularly if its a hair washing night. Some nights she’ll be screaming before she even gets in the bath and will demand to get straight out away. We have toys and other items for her to play with and some nights are better than others. The other night, we didn’t even bother bathing her for the stress of it. As she goes to daycare 4 days a week though, she’s normally covered in sunscreen and sand when she comes home so taking nights off washing isn’t really an option as she stinks and is sticky. Thanks.”

Posted by anon, 15/5/2013

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  • It may help to keep the water low or to go in bath with her indeed. Washing hair was a big problem for my youngest as well (in specific rinsing the soap out). Now she is 7yrs old it finally gets easier !


  • My 1 year old hated the bath until I hopped into the bath with her. She rested on my legs so she could feel confident but enjoy the water. We sang songs and made up actions. As for washing the hair, that is a tricky one until they are older. I use a face washer to cover her forehead while leaning her forward to protect her face from the bubbles and water.


  • Some little ones are just born ‘water babies’ and some not so much. Make it as fun as possible, but at the same time, talk to her about what you are going to do next.


  • It could be the shampoo. I found Johnsons really irritated the eyes and the best one I found is Gaia.


  • buy no more tears shampoo and get her to hold a washer over her face when rinsing or let her have a shower with you


  • My son went through stage like this too. He wouldn’t go in the bath at all. So he started having showers with me but I would cover the drain so that it started to fill up a bit like a bath which meant he got use to bathing again but with the comfort of me with him.


  • How did you end up going? Sometimes I would get in the bath with my children so they knew it was safe and I’d slowly not go in with them once they got comfortable.


  • Hope it’s not so hard now.


  • Hope she’s gotten used to it now! I’d suggest bubbles, bubbles and more bubbles – and maybe some special bath toys…


  • how did it turn out?


  • My daughter is 19 months and has decided she doesn’t like hair washing. I talk her through it, tell her it won’t take long and will be over quickly if she helps me (leaning forward etc).


  • Hope she has started to enjoy bath time for you.


  • Hope she is managing better in the bath now.


  • What about a shower with Mum.


  • How are things going now – any advice helped?


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