Making Bath Time Less Stressful With Little Ones

Trying to bathe your child can go one of two ways. The first is that they absolutely love it and they get excited at the noise of the bath running. The second is that they find it extremely upsetting and kick up a huge fuss. If your child is in the second category, then you’re not alone. There are plenty of children who can’t think of anything worse than getting in the bath. Whether it’s because they don’t like their hair being washed or simply don’t like getting wet. Here are some top tips on how to make bath time less stressful.

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Start Early

It’s a good idea to turn this into part of your everyday routine, as early on as possible. After dinner, comes the bath. The sooner you get your child used to this, the easier it will be when they hit the terrible toddler tantrum age. Make sure that everything runs like clockwork, when it comes to bath time. They will quickly learn that this is going to happen every day, whether they like it or not!

Don’t Make a Fuss

If you are worried or nervous about bathing your child, they will be too. It’s like if you get anxious about taking them to the dentist for the first time. They’ll pick up on your worries and it will make them feel uneasy. Make sure that you’re all cheerful and happy when it comes to bath time. Even if you know they’re going to be awkward about it. The more relaxed you are, the easier it will be to get them to relax.

Talk About the Problem

If your child is a little bit older, find out why they don’t like getting in the bath. It may be something silly, such as they find it too cold when they get out. If this is the case then you’ll easily be able to rectify the situation. Simply make sure you have their clothes ready when they're all dry, for example. By talking to them you’re making them feel more grown-up and in control, too. This means they’ll be far more likely to come around to your way of thinking. Especially if there is some kind of compromise involved.

Add Some Fun

Some children simply find bath time boring, and they don’t want to have to sit in lukewarm water for 20 minutes. If this is the case, then you need to add some excitement. You can try these fun bath activities to inject something special into the occasion. Make bathing some kind of adventure, that they look forward to every evening. Read them a story in the bath or buy some toys that they can play with. These little changes can make a big difference.

Every Other Day

It’s okay not to bathe your child every single day, you know! Some parents worry that their child is going to be the smelly one in class if they don’t get in the bath every evening. However, it may be better for your child if you do bath time every other day. As long as they’re getting a good wash before bed and in the morning, this should be plenty.

Hopefully these tips and tricks will help make the next bath time less stressful. Remember to keep a positive attitude despite the tantrums. It will make the whole thing a lot easier, in the long run. å