Bath Time Help Please

[Green22]

Out soon to be 23 month old is a holy terror come bath time. She's never been a big fan of the hairwashing/rinsing but it has gotten worse and worse over the past 4-6 months. I thought part of it was the transition from me always doing it for the first year a half of her life to DH doing it but she is even unhappy with me bathing her.

She screams, cries, stands up/won't sit, generally freaks out at bathtime. We've always had some variation of this going - she never likes her hair being washed. I used to use clean water to rinse and would have the spicket going, but stopped that thinking maybe the noise was too much. I have used 2 different types of soft-edge cups, special cups from the kitchen, I tried to use only a washcloth to wash the soap off and I've given her a dry cloth to dry off her eyes/cover her head. We've tried cooler water, warmer water, higher lvel/lower level of water and even bubbles. Both DH and I have gone in with her and let the other one wash our hair too and use the cups to rinse hair. Nothing seems to make a difference. I truly do not know what else to do.

She does not have tubes and she doesn't often get ear infections so I don't think it has to do with the water in her ears. She does have eczema so we need to bath her every night. When it is flared, I know that it might hurt her skin (I have it too and sometimes water just hurts), but she doesn't seem to be upset at anything else hurting.

Once the hairwashing is over, about 50% of the time she will then proceed to play with her toys or blow bubbles or something else fun. But lately even this percentage is dwindling.

What is going on? Any tips? Thank you in advance.

[PunkyBoo]

I hate to tell you this, but Punkin was the same way. Every single bath was a screaming, crying mess for 3 full years. I tried everything, and he just hated the rinsing of the shampoo no matter what we tried. I bought every bath toy there is to divert his attention, I tried everything. Finally when he was 3 we tried those foam visors and he barely tolerated it, but it was a big help. He just never could get used to the sensation of the water pouring over him (he had other texture-related issues and some sensitivities). So the visor might help you... I think once he was 3 it was easier for him to understand "ok hold your breath now, close your eyes, now blow out hard!"

Boo also doesn't like it, but not to the extreme that we had with Punkin. I use a folded up washcloth and help him hold it on his forehead. Then I tell him to tip his chin up to look at the ceiling, then I can dump water on his head, then he uses the washcloth to push the water and his hair back off his face.
HTH!

[shweethart]

My son is the same. I think he doesn't like water or anything in his eyes. I got him swim goggles and that did the trick. He looks funny but he stopped protesting. That and keeping him busy bathing his baby (a Thomas train) while I bathe him.

[crl]

No real help. Dd hates having her hair washed too. I only wash it once a week or so even though she takes baths more often. I wait until the end of the bath, do it as fast as I can and get her out immediately afterwards as she always stands up to try to get out when I rinse her hair.

Catherine

[hillview]

Can you get in with her? I used to do the hair washing as fast as possible. It is normal I am afraid for some kids. I put a washcloth over the kids eyes to avoid water and soap getting in them.
/hillary

[sweet_pea]

My 2.75 year old DD likes to play in the bath, but as soon as we start the rinsing of hair she starts screaming and getting up. Lately I have started using one of her toy watering cans to get her hair wet and then to rinse out the shampoo. Before I start pouring the water over her head, I tell her to look up and that she's a little seed in a garden. I keep talking about how I want her to grow tall, colorful, etc. I think all of this flower talk distracts her a little and she now she will actually tell me what type of flower she wants to be on that particular day. Anyways, I don't know if this would work for you but I thought I'd share just in case. Good luck!

[lowrioh]

DD1 is quite a bit older so I'm not sure that this will work but I tell her I need her to do the "mermaid" before we start. She lays back in the tub and wets her head all by herself. I then put shampoo on her head and let her wash her own hair for a minute or two. I have to finish the job but it makes her feel like she is in control of the situation. She rinses about 75% of the soap out herself and then I just use a cup to get the front and top of her head.
If she is in a fiery mood and gives me a hard time, then I tell her that if she doesn't lay back that I am going to do it for her. That usually does the trick but if not, she just gets water dumped on her head.

Does she like dolls? Maybe you could get her a bath doll and have her wash the doll as you wash her?

[Green22]

Okay well at least there are others who have dealt with this.

I like the watering can idea and I will also get the visor. I thought about getting a Tidoo or some other doll that can go in the water, I might try that after the watering can. I feel like she might like that sensation better.

Thank you very much!