Bath Time Fussiness

Updated on January 16, 2008
S.S. asks from Kapolei, HI
11 answers

Hello Mommies!

I have an 8 week old who used to enjoy bathtime and suddenly a few weeks ago started crying through the whole thing, from bath to dressing afterwards. I've been playing scientist and changing all the variables that I can think of that would make her unhappy but nothing has worked so far except asking daddy to take over bath time. I tried changing the water temp, bathing after and before feedings, changing to the relaxing shampoo, taking her out of her tub and giving her a bath with me in the big tub so I could hold her the whole time. Anyone have a suggestions? I used to love bath time and am a little sad that we don't have that anymore. Thanks so much for your help!!!

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So What Happened?

Thank you all so much for your advice!!! As a new mommy with very few friends with children, it has been great to have the support!

So here is where we are. My husband took over bath time and I noticed that he made the water significantly warmer that I did. We also switched to our big bath towels rather than her baby towels and she seems much happier after the bath. I gave it a try tonight and she was a little fussier with me but not nearly as bad as before. My husband is also ver calm and doesn't panic at all so it could have been the energy change that helped too.

Thanks again mommies!!!

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M.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

This is a new one on me however I would try maybe not bathing her everynight and see what happens. Since she is so little she is not crawling on the floor getting dirty nor is she running around and perspiring. Try to skip a night and see what happens. I would also try diming the lights, getting a toy that provides a light show on the celing, maybe just let her play in the water without bathing her ( you can put some baby calming bath soap in the water). My daughter who is 5 cries when her hair is washed and she has been this way since she was born. We do the best we can!

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I.E.

answers from Los Angeles on

I remember my first daughter doing this for a few months. I went through the same investigative journey and never came to a conclusion beacuse she just stopped getting flustered at about 5 or 6 months and enjoying bathtime again. I think so long as you keep trying to figure out what the problem might be, you're on the right track. My mom used to always tell me with babies and children it's not the solution that matters but how you came to it and how connected they feel to you as a result. Good Luck. :-)

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M.W.

answers from Honolulu on

you changed the water temp...did you also make sure that the room temp is not too cold? in winter months the temp does drop slightly here and while we may not notice it, babies certainly do.

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B.F.

answers from San Diego on

Hi, My kids often went back and forth in their preferences for which parent they "liked" best for different daily events. Maybe it was the voice or the touch, I don't know. I only know the calmer I stayed, the better things worked out. I have also always sung special songs to babies during certain activities, and also taped pictures under upper kitchen cabinets when I was washing or dressing them on the kitchen counter. Changing those every week or so seemed to give them something to focus on. Best of luck to you! Grams

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D.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Do you give your baby a bath just before bedtime? If so then try starting the bath 20 minutes earlier. Their sleep patterns change a lot so be prepared for these challenges.

Good Luck!

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A.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

It could be anything but I would also vote for too cold - not in the water but the body parts that are wet but not immersed and when she gets out. We crank the heater in the bathroom and I also nurse her when she gets out (if she has a bath with my hubby for example). Since she really only needs a bath once or twice a week at this point (wiping her face and hands regularly and her bottom at every diaper change of course!), I would just not push it for now. She will enjoy it again soon.

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H.F.

answers from Los Angeles on

So your baby is still in an infant tub. Maybe try just getting rid of that. I only used those with my girls until the cord fell off. Then I put a towel on the bottom of the tub and fill it very shallow. My girls loved splashing and being able to move around. The towel kept them from slipping too much and I just watch to make sure they didn't put their face in the water.

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S.K.

answers from San Diego on

Could it be the room temperature? Our baby girl is about 12 weeks old, and she started off hating baths. Then I figured out she was just too cold. I started putting a wet washcloth over her belly during the bath and keep it wet with warm water as I bathe her. If that's not it and you've tried so many other things, it could just be that she doesn't like bathtime for now. Don't worry--most things (like hating bathtime) don't last forever. Our son (now 2y9m) used to hate bathtime when he was an infant, too. It lasted for a few months, but then he started enjoying it once he was old enough to splash around (and make a big, wet mess!). :)

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E.L.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Hello- my little sister has 6 boys..the last two are twins. She is superMom and her name is Melisa. Tell her I told you to write. Her email is:
____@____.com

She can probably give you some great advice regarding your request.

E. L.

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A.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi S.,
Wow, you're baby is so brand new:) Maybe the water is scaring her. Why don't you try warming up some baby wipes and give her a soothing massage at the same time. Babies are so fragile. After you've done that for a while, gradually bathe her in baby tub water. Don't worry, you will have plenty of bath time in the future!

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A.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

S.,
Our 9 month old Sophie wasn't a great bather until she turned about 4 months old. After making sure everything else was fine I gave up the every night bath time thing that everyone was always raving about. I realized she wasn't that into it and she really didn't like being naked. I switched to every other night and that suited her much better. It also stopped making it a chore for the both of us. They're so tiny they don't really need a bath every night because they can't get into anything. A little wipe down with some warm water and baby oil is soothing and refreshing. She loves bath time now.

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