I've been trying different things with him in the bath, and have found a three things that seemed to have turned bathtime into a pleasant experience rather than a dreaded time of day.
The first thing is the time of day we give him a bath. Osian is a generally a happy chappy during the day, but can be quite grumpy in the evenings, so I have decided that bathtime is in the morning, when we have way more time, and a happy baby. I know a lot of people include bathtime in their bedtime routine, but it doesn't make sense to us to do this, it just gets him all worked up rather than calm ready for bed.
I have also started sitting him up in the bath, which seems to have made a huge difference. One day I just decided to put Osian in slowly, starting with just his feet then waiting a little bit then putting his legs in, and found he was quite happy just sitting in the water. So ever since I have held him sitting up, it can be a bit awkward for me as I have terrible knees at the moment so think I'll need to buy something to help me support him.
Toys have been a big help too, now that Osian plays with toys a bit, I gave him plastic keys for him to hold on to and for him to chew if he decides to shove it in his mouth, like he does most things. I had bought him a duck for Christmas with wind up legs which makes the duck swim along, so I decided to start using it and Osian quite liked watching the duck swim along.
I am so happy that Osian finally seems to like the bath. 'Touch wood' I'm not jinxing myself writing this. I've been hoping for ages that Osian will have fun in the bath. I didn't want it to be a struggle everyday to get him washed and I hated hearing him scream. This also means we can try taking him swimming this weekend, which is something I have been looking forward to for ages! I hope he likes it and that we can start going regularly, I will probably post about how it goes.
All snug after a happy bath!
Please wish us luck that swimming goes okay and that bath time continues like this!
My Peanut could never enjoy an evening bath unless she'd had a wee nap first! Good luck swimming just try to stay relaxed and confident so he feels secure with you, soon enough you will have a little waterbabe.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I'm quite a relaxed person anyway so that won't be too hard :)
DeleteIt's all about baby steps isn't it!? Rhys has 3 little plastic boats in the bath (he loves cars and making the brrroommmmm noise) so they entertain him. He also has a lid from a shampoo bottle that he likes to fill up and pour out - maybe a couple of things to try?
ReplyDeleteI hope he loves swimming, it'll be great for him seeing you in the water too, he might enjoy that more?
#binkylinky
The lid part reminds me of when I was younger, I used to love making 'potions' in empty shampoo bottles!
DeleteThank you, I have bought him some more bath toys for him to try :)
Glad to hear he is more comfy with bath time now, it makes such a difference for both of you! #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteThank you, it does make such a difference!
DeleteIm happy that when my toddler is really young my mother is helping me bathe him cuz I dont know how to do it =P
ReplyDeleteIm glad you found what works =)
#binkylinky
When he was newborn I would only bath him if I had help. I was too scared to do it on my own!
DeleteThank you :)
That picture is absolutely adorable! He looks really pleased to have had a bath
ReplyDeleteAliceMegan
I love the picture too :) Who knew a baby needed a dressing gown!?
DeleteAww glad he likes the bath now (he is adorable!) my little one hated the bath and swimming although we haven't been for a while we will probably try again soon good luck with taking him swimming he will probably love it #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteThank you. I felt like he was the only baby who was like this, everyone else's stories seemed to be about their baby's instantly loving the bath!
DeleteMy little one was just like yours - he hated the bath but gradually got to like it more and more. He now adores it. Strangely, he's always loved swimming :) good luck at the pool - hopefully he'll love it! #binkylinky
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear her now adores it. It's nice hearing from someone else who's little one didn't instantly love the bath, because that's what I mostly hear! Thank you :)
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