TL;DR: Some babies and toddlers do not enjoy bathtime for a variety of reasons. However, by understanding why your baby or toddler doesn’t enjoy baths and following some simple tips, you can make bathtime more enjoyable for everyone.
Help! My Baby or Toddler Hates Bathtime!
Does your baby or toddler scream, cry, and resist every time it is time to get washed up? While most kids go through a phase of not enjoying bathtime, some kiddos really, really dig their heels in. Wondering why? There are a variety of reasons why your child may hate bathtime, and by learning what that is and how to change it, you may be able to turn your bath hater into a bath lover. Keep reading to learn more about why your baby or toddler hates bath time, how you can make bathtime more enjoyable, and the best products to help you out.
Why Does My Kiddo Hate Bathtime?
There are a ton of reasons why your baby or toddler may hate bathtime, but here are some of the most common reasons:
- Temperature sensitivity. While the water may feel good for you or be within the proper range, your baby or toddler still may be sensitive to it. Try making bathtime cooler or warmer next time and see how they react.
- Sensory overload. If your child is sensory-sensitive, the bath may be just too much to handle. Bathrooms tend to be loud and echo-y, the feeling of the water might be too uncomfortable, and the bubbles might be sending them over the edge.
- Water and soap on their head and face. Many babies and toddlers do not enjoy baths because they know that, eventually, soap and water will be poured over their face and head. This makes the entire bath less enjoyable due to the anxiety and suspense of wash-up time.
How Can I Make Bathtime More Enjoyable?
Some tips to make bathtime more enjoyable for your baby or toddler include:
- Change up the temperature to slightly cooler than you have been running to see how they react.
- Give your baby or toddler a sensory fidget toy to help calm their nervousness and anxiety.
- Get wash-up time done early so they are not sitting in suspense about when the soap and water will be poured over their head. Get the hard part done first so they can enjoy the rest of the bath and have fun.
- Give your baby or toddler fun, safe toys and scrubs to play with that are exclusive to the bath only.
Best Bath Toys and Essentials for Babies and Toddlers
Innobaby Rainbow Bath Sensory Scrub
A bath toy that doubles as a scrub, that you do not have to worry about mold or mildew with!
Your child can count, stack, lather, and even stick their Rainbow Spots to the side of the bathtub or shower door, with no adhesive required!
Our product testers loved sticking the flat soapy side to the tub wall and watching them race to see which one makes it to the water first! Best of all, silicone is naturally odor and mildew-resistant, and can be sterilized for a deep cleaning.
Each Rainbow Spots comes with 7 brightly colored discs, use with your favorite body wash to create a soothing lather and therapeutic massage. Each disc is 100% Silicone and made in South Korea.
Innobaby Silicone Mini Fish Scrub / Cradle Cap Brush
Perfect for babies with cradle cap, toddlers with dirty fingernails, or school-kiddos with dirty faces, this mini fish scrub is a bathtime must-have for all ages!
This Mini Fish Scrub features over 3,000 tiny micro-bristles that gently massage and break up dry skin on baby's scalp beneath their hair, dirt under nails, and so much more.
Gentle and safe enough to use on newborns and young infants, our Mini Fish Scrub is made out of 100% silicone that is mold and mildew-resistant (time to throw away that stinky washcloth).
Bonus: the Silicone Mini Scrub is dishwasher safe or can be sterilized in boiling water for a deep clean. Not just for cradle cap, the Mini Fish is great for the entire family - mom can use it too as a facial scrub! Mini Fish includes a convenient handle that is easy to grip and can be suctioned to the side of the tub, shower wall, or any other smooth surface. To use: simply apply a small amount of your favorite shampoo or body wash, massage to create a lather, and enjoy!
Sensory Bubble Play Skin Happy Botanical Bubbles & Blower Set
A bubble blower for the bath? Yes!
Our bubble solution is made of botanical ingredients and absolutely no harsh soaps or detergents, making it the perfect way to enjoy bath time for babies and toddlers.
Especially since the bubble wand is toddler-friendly! They can easily dip, twirl, and blow tons of their own bubbles.
Yes - you can use it in the bathroom! Our non-sticky, toxic-free bubbles are great for indoor & outdoor use.
FAQ
Q: Why does my baby cry so much in the bath?
A: The most common reasons babies cry in the bath are due to water temperature, sensory overload, and the anxiety of getting washed up.
Q: How can I get my toddler to have fun in the bath?
A: Your toddler can have fun in the bath by eliminating their trigger to the best of your ability and making the bath a more fun place with toys and less stress.
Q: What are bath tips and tricks for toddlers?
A: When bathing your toddler, get the much-hated washing-up portion done first so that they can enjoy the rest of their bath. Give them fun bathtime-only toys to play with, and even incorporate bubbles!
Written by Jaclyn Uloth, Marketing copywriter and Mom of 3 boys, 5 and under