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Bath Time Battles
4 Tips for Making Tub Time Tolerable and Even Fun
By Shel Franco
Bath time wasn't fun time where Beth Bosco's oldest daughter was concerned. "From day one, [my daughter] did not like to take a bath," says Bosco of Pittsburgh, Pa. "She was born in early May and didn't like getting undressed even when I changed her diaper. As a result, bath time was usually an uncomfortable time for both of us: a screaming baby and a first-time mom trying to figure out what I was doing wrong."
No matter what the commercials depict – bathtub bubbles, giggling baby and joyful mom – some babies just hate to bathe. Dr. Carrie Contey, clinical psychologist and nationally recognized early parenting coach, says there are some common reasons babies dislike bath time:
- Sometimes babies aren't in the mood for a bath. Their interest is in playing, crawling, eating, etc.
- Baby is in the midst of a developmental shift. During these times the child is very vulnerable and can be extra emotional.
- The baby had a bad experience in the bath and is sensitive to the experience.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can help to lessen the anxiety and maybe even increase the fun. Dr. Contey offers the following 4 tips:
Maybe you haven't thought of this idea seriously, since it's highly unlikely that Baby will hear you, understand you and agree with you at such a young age. But Dr. Contey thinks talk is still important and that you should be telling your baby what you are about to do throughout the bath process. "Babies are aware and sensitive," she says. "They understand way more than we give them credit for. Tell your baby that you are going to be starting the bath; touch your baby's skin with the water before putting her in; give her lots of eye contact, and go nice and slow."
