Bath Time Fear: 8 Ways to Pull the Plug

Splish splash, newsflash: Takin' a bath isn't always fun for kids. If your child is afraid of the water and doesn't bow to the appeal of bathtime fun, try these suggestions to help him overcome the common fear of the bath. They've helped me in the past with my own children, so hopefully they'll work for you.

Step One: Get to the root of the problem. Ask yourself a question: Is your child's fear of the bath a longtime issue, or a brand new problem? If it's new, think back and try to figure out when his fear of the bath started. Did he have a scary experience in a pool? Did another child or adult dump water over his head at a waterpark? If you can determine the root of the problem, you're a step ahead when it comes to helping him conquer his fear.

Step Two: Bathe her doll. Show your child that bath time isn't scary by giving her doll a bath. Naturally, you'll need to make sure that the doll you use is waterproof first. Give your child a comfortable place to sit and observe while you do the work. Set up a baby bathtub if you have one on hand, and fill it with a few inches of water. (The regular bathtub will work if you don't have a mini tub available.) Gently bathe the doll, narrating what you're doing as you do it. For example, when you rinse the baby doll's hair, explain to your child that you're cleaning dolly's hair as you slowly pour a cup of warm water over the doll's head. The key here is to let your child observe.

Step Three: Ask her to help you to bathe her doll. After your child has observed you bathing her doll, ask her to join you and help out. Have her hold the soap and gently apply it, and let her towel baby dry once the bath is over. Be sure to praise her efforts liberally, pointing out that she's being an excellent helper.

Step Four: Talk it up. After you've successfully helped your child to bathe her doll, talk up the process of taking a bath, making sure to make it sound as exciting and fun as possible. To help bring up the subject in a positive way, try reading a bath-related book to your child during a regular story time. Bath Time! by Sandra Boynton is a fun, simple story that glorifies taking a bath in a non-threatening, kid-friendly manner via simple rhymes and whimsical illustrations. Even better, it's waterproof, so it makes a great tub toy once your child is ready to take the plunge. It's available online at Barnes and Noble for about $8.

Step Five: Have a tub party. Once you're able to coax your child into the tub, don't automatically expect him to be willing to go it along. Hop in and take a bath with him. Wash your own hair, and then wash his. Splash around a little and show him that bathtime is fun. Explore the drain together and assure him that he's much too big to fit into it himself: Demonstrate with a small toy. There's nothing like a little parental company when you're dealing with a fear of the bath.

Step Six: A little bribery can go a long way. I'm not generally an advocate of bribery, but it can be an effective tool when you're dealing with a fear of the bath. Once you've convinced your child to attempt taking a bath, consider your child's individual preferences, and buy a special new toy that can be used only in the bathtub. Fun and effective ideas include brightly colored soap crayons (Amazon offers a variety of brands ranging in price from $6 to $10) or a small boat. Alex makes Magnetic Boats in the Tub, a three-pack of magnetized boats priced at $8.99 that are intended for tub time. There are a number of bath toys available, and you'll be sure to find out that will appeal to your own budding Picasso or sea captain.

Alternate Step Six: Make it bubbly. The promise of a bathtub overflowing with soapy bubbles can be an attractive thing to a child. If you want to avoid the bribery route, offer up a lathery bubble bath instead. There's something about a sea of foam that makes many children forget their worries, and most importantly, their fear of the bath. Be careful, though: Studies link bubble baths with urinary tract infections and irritation of the urinary tract, per this article by Dr. Alan Greene, so bubble baths should only be used as occasional treats.

Step Seven: Change your course. If you've tried the suggestions already listed with no luck, try a shower instead. My two-year old prefers standing in the shower over sitting in a tub filled with water. I have no idea why, but it works for him, so I try to be flexible and go with it when possible. You can always start over again with the first step later on.

Step Eight: Relax. Finally, just take it easy! Overcoming a fear of the bath is akin to a rite of passage for some children, so there's no reason to panic or get upset. Just bide your time, and your child will come warm to the tub eventually.

Alan Greene MD FAAP, Bubble Baths, Drgreene.com