Is
your toddler afraid to take a bath?
All
children have fears at some point in their life and it is usually
considered to be a normal part of development. These fears are
only abnormal if they are persistent or keep the child overly
preoccupied with the subject that is feared, so that it interferes
with normal activities, if the child can not be reassured or
distracted away from the fear (becoming a phobia), or if it is
an irrational fear. Whether or not a fear is irrational depends
on a child's age and developmental level. For example, it is
normal for a 2 year old to be afraid of sitting on the potty,
but it would be irrational for an 8 year old to have the same
fear.
Toddlers
normally
have simple
fears of
separation,
noises,
falling,
animals
and insects,
using the
potty,
bathing
and bedtime.
Fear
of bathing
does seem
like a
common
problem,
and one
that usually
passes,
but that
doesn't
mean that
you just
force her
to continue
taking
baths as
that might
make her more fearful.
It also
doesn't
mean that
you should
give up
baths altogether,
since she
does have
to get
clean,
although
a daily
bath isn't
necessary.
Trying
different
things,
such as
toys, bubbles,
bath finger
paints,
coloring
agents,
playing
her favorite
music,
etc. should
help. Having
a consistent
routine
of when
she takes
a bath and letting
her pick
a couple
of toys
might also
give her
some control
and make
her more
likely
to want
to take
a bath.
You
might also
let her
play in
the tub
without
any water
in it,
so that
she can
get used
to being
in there.
Or
use sponge
baths for
a few days
or weeks.
Other
things
that
may
help:
- Don't
let
your
toddler
actually
see
the
water
go
in
or
drain
out
of
the
tub.
- Take
baths
with
your
child
- Take
a bath
by
yourself,
and
let
her
play
in
the
bathroom
while
you
are
bathing
and
let
her
help you
rinse
off
by
pouring
water
over
your
head
etc.
- Take
her
to
the
store
to
pick
out
some
new
bath
toys
- Try
giving
her
a bath
at
a different
time
of
day.
If
you
normally
give
her
a bath
at
bedtime,
try
doing it
earlier
in
the
day
or
in
the
morning.
- Let
her
give
a bath
to
one
of
her
favorite
dolls
or
let
her
watch
you
do
it
- Set
up
a special
activity,
such
as
watching
her
favorite
video
or
reading
some
books,
after
the
bath,
so
that she
has
something
to
look
forward
to
- Make
or
buy
some
washcloth
puppets
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