Possible toddler bathtime problems
© DK
A few toddlers have ongoing problems with water and bathtimes for these children and their parents can be really distressing. Read on for advice on how to try and helo your toddler overcome these problems.
Fear of hair washing during bathtime
If your child really hates having her hair washed, keep the hair very short so that it needs only sponging to keep it clean (see Dislike of hair washing). One of the major reasons why children hate having their hair washed is that they don't like water going over their faces. To overcome this you'll have to encourage your child to believe that hair washing won't hurt and that it won't feel nasty when water is rinsed over her head. Use non-sting shampoo, and you can still use a hairwashing shield on an older child.
Another problem that can make hair washing unpleasant is when your child has the kind of fine, curly hair that gets very tangled; combing through tangles after hair washing can become a nightmare. If you don't want to cut her hair short, try using conditioner: after rinsing off the shampoo, work conditioner through the hair, gently comb through with a wide-toothed comb, then rinse it off with a spray attachment. Then just pat her hair dry with the towel to absorb the excess water. You can buy anti-tangle spray to put on dry hair before you brush it. Make a game out of hair washing. It will become much more fun from your child's point of view if you get into the bath as well and wash your own hair. Rinse it with a plastic jug of water and make out that it's great fun pouring water over your head.
If you have an older child you could prove that it doesn't hurt by letting the younger child help you wash the elder's hair. Once you've lathered up the shampoo, hold the frightened child and allow her to rub both her hands through the bubbles. If possible, get the child to help pour the rinsing water over, too. Or, you could wash a doll's hair in the bath with your toddler's assistance. Let your child help with the rinsing and then suggest that you do it to her own hair. With any luck she'll just take this as part of the game. Alternatively, encourage your child to wet her own hair with a facecloth then put a tiny bit of shampoo into her hands so that she can put it on her hair.
An older child is also useful in proving that a wet face isn't unpleasant. For example, the elder child may well be proud of holding her breath under water and once your child is about three she might want to join in with this game, even if it means only putting nose and mouth under the surface for a count of five.
Fear of water during bathtime
A few children hate water and bathtimes for these children and their parents will be very distressing. Probably the easiest way of overcoming this fear is to make bathtimes as happy and relaxing as possible, with plenty of playtime included. Try to find out what is frightening your child: is it the size of the bath; is it the amount of water in it; is it related to an incident, for example slipping and suddenly being ducked under the water? If it is the size of the bath that causes the worry, introduce alternatives, like the kitchen sink or a large washing-up bowl. Your child will probably sit quite happily on a towel on the draining board, playing and dipping her feet into the water. This should also help if she's scared of the volume of water, as will playing with a shower attachment or a garden hose (as long as the flow is gentle). Ironically, swimming can be used to overcome your child's fear of water although you'll have to introduce the subject gently, see Getting her used to water.
Getting her used to water
Another way of getting your child used to water on the face is to take her swimming. Once she's got used to splashing and getting wet hair you'll be able to start hair washing. This is especially easy if you have a shower after swimming. You can then gently and deftly introduce the idea of having a shampoo in the shower using a non-sting baby shampoo: a quick shampoo should only take a couple of minutes.
You can also use the shower attachment at home, encouraging your child to play with the spray, playing it up to her shoulders and eventually on to her hair and face. Once again, when she's used to wet hair, you can quickly shampoo and rinse it.
If she likes swimming in the pool, take advantage of any swimming classes that you can attend with your child and where you do most of the teaching (with help from an instructor if you need it). Being able to swim may save your child's life and, if possible, it's always a good idea to make sure that she has learned to swim before she starts school.
New Babycare
Copyright © 2009 Dorling Kindersley
Text copyright © 2009 Miriam Stoppard
Posted 30.06.2010
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