Families South West March 2004

Question – My baby has decided that she hates her bath – does anyone have any suggestions on how I can get her to enjoy her bath again?

Questions and Answers provided by Best Bear parents
www.bestbear.co.uk 020 7352 5852

Anne: Have you tried having a bath together or introducing new bath toys?

Julie: We bought some toy ducks, which helped to amuse our son.

Rachel: New toys, a sponge, a flannel, some stacking cups. It’s all about distraction! You can also get soothing bubble baths..

Tracey: I haven’t had this one but how about if you get in the bath with her and mike it like a game?

Nicola: Perhaps get in the bath with her? Or lay her on some kind of support (we had a sort of pillow filled with polystyrene balls from Blooming Marvellous which held her very securely/comfortably) or give her a small interesting plastic toy to hold/look at – you can buy bath mobiles that hang over them in the bath so they have something to look at.

Alison: Try new toys; bubbles, coloured soap crayons to make the bath experience more enjoyable… or make it fun by sharing bathtime with their siblings/friends?

Fran: Try having a bath with your baby, she may feel insecure on her own, also the water may be too cool try adding a bit more hot next time.

Bonney: Get in with her if you don’t already. Baths are much less daunting if mum or dad is in there too.

Beth: To relax the baby I suggest bathing with her; she will be comforted with skin-to-skin contact. Talk to her or sing perhaps. I also tried keeping a muslin over my baby so the baby didn’t feel vulnerable.