1 year old fear

[lauren170]

About almost 2 weeks ago my DD had a really bad fall in the bathroom during bath time. Prior she would always stand up in the bath and we were constantly telling her no, but she was happy enough.

Since the fall she shakes, screams and frantically tries to climb out of the tub (which she can if we take our hands off her). We've been showering with her but she cries then too and tries to pull curtains to get out.

I don't want traumatize the poor kid. I just ordered the yellow duck tub even though she is 13 months hoping the change/novelty will help but I'm not optimistic.

What else should I do? Have you gone through something like this? If this is a stage how long is it likely to last?

[justjen]

L didn't have a fall, but had a stretch where she was petrified of the bath as well. In our case, she just needed a mat to stop her from slipping around.

Good luck

[shellbear09]

We went through several months around that age where she would only stand up. We had the duck tub before that and she loved it so I think it is worth a try.

[Ashley&Scott]

M was a little older than your DD but he also went through a phase of being scared of the bath, he was scared a "diver" was going to get him. (Thanks Finding Nemo) We didn't push it, instead I gave him a sponge bath which he was fine with. Eventually he got over it.

Getting new tub toys also might help.

[Deleted]

We went through this phase, not due to a fall though. It just took some time. We just made bath times as quick as we humanly could and tried singing and laughing even if she was crying to try and get her to calm down.

I second the new tub toys, too.

[Deleted]

DD2 went through this at 15 months, related to another traumatic incident she had (not a fall in the tub). I think it's pretty common. We put a baby tub in our shower and basically gave her a sponge bath that way. We tried to minimize the number of baths we gave too (a good idea anyway since she has eczema). We tried toys, songs, etc. and none of it really helped--only time.

The main thing I would advise is NOT to force her into the tub/force her to stay in. I think that is the equivalent of you being afraid of spiders and someone locking you into a room with a bunch of spiders. Let her have her fear and get over it in her own time, but keep her clean with sponge baths etc in the meantime. The nice thing about using the duck tub for sponge baths too is she can always opt to get in it if she wants to, and she can get in and out (mostly) under her own power so she can feel she has some control.

[DarcyLongfellow]

I'd try to make bath time as dissimilar to the bath where she fell as possible. So, if you have two bathrooms, start bathing her in the other one. Maybe use the duck tub in the shower in another bathroom? Just so she isn't afraid of the situation.

I'm sure she'll get over it in time, but you don't want her to hate bath time now.

Also, if she usually gets a bath every day, it's totally fine to skip it some nights (unless she's still getting filthy every time she eats of course!). I give my girls baths 2-3 times a week. DD1 has eczema, so she does much better if we don't bathe her every day.

[rex]

L was terrified of the bath from birth until probably 2 weeks ago. in general she is a very fearful child (it's kind of weird actually).

bath crayons are what turned the corner. she loves scribbling everywhere.new bath toys are good discractions.

i would be as calm as possible, space out baths a few days apart, and be quick. if you get a sense she has had enough, acknowledge it verbally to her and end bath time. even now L knows if she says all done, i get her out.