Bathing trauma!

Hi guys. I'm in need of advice about bathing. We have 4 children altogether (6 year old girl, 2 year old boy and 4 motnh old twin boys) and we bath the babies with no problems and our little girl loves baths. Our son on the other hand hates them! He screams and claws at me and grabs the towels and fiercely wraps them around him as soon as his clothes are off! We had to bath him wrapped in a sheet the last time! Although he loves splashes in water and has no problems taking his clothes off to get changed. But he appears to be terrified of being bathed and I'm not sure what to do. Last time I waited too long to bath him because I was so worried about how he would act and he got quite filthy so I had to bath him but I'm in tears every time because he looks so scared. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you

How is he if he gets in the bath with his brothers or sister? Or maybe just with your or your hubby? Or how would he be having a shower? I expect you've tried to entice him into the bath with lots of different bath toys? Depending on what his favourite character is Tate loves his Thomas Tank Engine bath squirters. Or maybe you could try reading to him, or an incentive like an extra story if he is a good boy in the bath?

Oh and welcome to PP!! Whats your name and your children?

Good luck!

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I have tried everything! Even given him a biscuit at the end to entice him to get in the bath more willingly next time but to no effect.

My name is Emma:) our daughter is Ami, the bathing nightmare is Thomas! and the twins are called Oliver and Finley. How many children do you have and how old are they?

Hi Emma
Im Emma,i think you have covered pretty much what you can,what about a small puddle of water to start with.Riley takes a car in with him.
What abot bath crayons,if you have tiled backs then he can draw over them while you bath him.
I love the kids names.

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Thank you:) I hadn't thought of bath crayons. I think I'll give that a try. He loves drawing on the walls so much I'm sure he'd enjoy doing it on the tiles too!

What about using a baby bath in the big bath as maybe that would make him feel bit safer, or let him play in big bath with some fav toys with no water to start? Depends on what it is that scares him i guess x

Hi Emma
Welcome to PP. Sorry but I have no advice to offer you, it sounds like you have pretty much tried everything. Will he play in the bath with his big sister, or could you get him to "help" bath one of the twins. That might build up his confidence.

I hope you manage to get this sorted.

Hiya - welcome to PP.

Our 3 year old has really gone of baths recently. It's horrible as a Mum but I just try and do it really quickly - pop him in (then we have to pin him down to stop him climbing out) quick hair and body wash, rinse then out. Then an hour long cuddle soothing the tears.

He is much much better bathing with hubby or I though. Good luck - hopefully he will grow out of it!

Does he like swimming? For my son he isn't afraid of the water - just having his hair washed!