There’s nothing quite like seeing your bub in the tub. From the sweet giggles to exploratory splashing, watching your baby have fun during bath time is a true gift in the early stages of parenthood. But what happens if your baby hates bath time?

If you have a baby that suddenly hates bath time, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll explore our top tips and tricks for making bath time enjoyable again - parent-approved.

How do I get my baby to like bath time?

The good news is that there are many things you can do to make bath time more enjoyable for your precious little tot. If you’re finding that your baby hates bath time, try some of the following tricks:

Adjust the temperature

While most people know that the temperature of your baby’s bath water should be around 100 F, it’s important to keep the bathroom just as cozy. Aim to keep the room around 75-80 degrees to keep your baby warm and toasty. Try running the shower before bath time to help steam up the room.

Have your supplies ready

The last thing you want to be doing is scrambling for a baby hooded bath towel or bath toys when your baby is having a meltdown. Instead, get everything ready well ahead of time to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

Wash your baby’s hair last

Lots of little ones find the shampooing process a bit traumatic - especially if their bath hasn’t started off on the right foot. Instead, save the rinsing for the end of the bath when your tot is calm and relaxed. Try cupping your hand around their forehead to avoid any suds getting in their eyes.

Don’t drain the tub

While the sound of water rushing down the drain is completely normal for adults, it could frighten little ones. Take your baby out of the tub and pull the plug later on.

Distract, distract, distract

If your baby wants to carry their favorite toy into the bath, now’s not the time to snatch it away. Having a comfort item such as a waterproof toy can help your child feel secure and at ease in the bath. They’ll soon become comfortable with the process and will retire the toy later on.

How do I stop my baby from being scared of baths?

There’s nothing worse than seeing your son or daughter frightened. While it may not seem logical to an adult, there are various reasons why your baby is scared of the bath. From having a bad experience getting soap in their eyes to loud and unpleasant sounds, what’s meant to be a soothing activity can soon become stressful.

Avoid forcing them into situations they aren’t ready for and gradually ease into the process. Bathe your child only when they’re fed and well-rested and avoid giving baths too close to bedtime. While bath time forms part of a healthy bedtime routine, there’s nothing wrong with trying the bath during the day to help your little one get used to it.

Make sure they’re comfortable before, during and after the bath. To help them avoid them feeling cold after bath time, wrap them up warm in one of our cozy hooded bath towels for babies. Crafted from 100% organic cotton, this ultra-absorbent towel will keep your baby warm and dry after bath time.

Why does my baby suddenly hate bath time?

So, your baby suddenly hates bath time. What’s happened? Here are some common causes of why your precious baby hates bath time:

● They’re overstimulated: Turns out, there can be too much of a good thing. Dial down on the bright toys, noises and conversation. Make bath time quiet and peaceful.

● They’re overtired or hungry: Bathing your baby when they’re not fed or overtired can lead to bathtime woes.

● They’re teething: Some babies can’t stand bath time when they’re teething.

● They have a skin condition: Whether your baby has diaper rash or a skin condition, bath time can feel unpleasant on raw and sensitive skin.

● They associate it with bedtime: Once your baby learns that bath time is part of their bedtime routine, they may end up fighting it.

If your baby suddenly hates bath time, one of the above issues may be to blame. They may also just be going through a short-lived phase. Whether you join them for bath time to help them feel comfortable, face them away from the faucet or place a washcloth on their tummy, there are ways to make bath time enjoyable again. While it may not happen straight away, they’ll likely grow out of it with a little bit of help.

What to do if your baby hates bath time?

If your baby hates bath time, rest assured that this too shall pass. Try employing some of our above tricks to help make the situation easier. From wrapping them up warm in one of our hooded baby bath towels to avoiding baths when they’re overtired, we hope these tips help make bath time with your baby memorable and fun again

My Baby Hates Bath Time - What Gives?