How to Get a Toddler to Take a Bath

Work with your toddler to help overcome his fears about the bathtub.

It is not uncommon for toddlers to develop the fear of a bath, according to Penelope Leach, a child psychologist with the Baby Center website. Toddlers may fear they may get swept down the drain with the bath water because they have not developed a sense of scale and do not realize they are fine, Leach said. Instead of fighting the toddler to take a bath and recognize her fears, offer alternatives and develop incentives to get your toddler back in the bathtub.

Instructions

1. Empathize with your child. Tell him that you understand his fears. Do not force him to be in the tub if he does not want to be.

2. Show your child that she won't go down with the bath water. If your child won't go to the tub, use a bathroom or kitchen sink. Place a large object in the tub or sink such as a plate or glass, fill with water and then drain. Show the child the object is still there and did not go down the drain.

3. Allow your child to go at his own pace when taking a bath. For example, if your child does not want to have his hair wet, skip the shampoo that day. Give the child the washcloth and let him clean himself. It is important he is comfortable with his surroundings.

4. Provide incentives for the child to go back in the bath. Prepare a bubble bath without the child in the room and show her the surprise. Show her some bubbles in your hand and ask whether she wants to go in the tub. Other items that may help are bathtub crayons or pellets that turn the water a color.

5. Take a bath with your child if that is the only way he will enter the tub. By taking a bath together it will show there is nothing to fear and can be a great bonding experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Bathtub fears may come on suddenly even for child who have always loved bath time. In most cases the fear will be a passing phase that will go away as quickly as it came.

• Give your child safe access to water activities such as the pool or playing with buckets of water.

• Never leave a toddler unattended in the bathtub.

References

• Baby Center: My toddler used to love baths, but now she screams when I try to give her one.
• Parents: My Child Hates Baths