How to overcome a child's fears?
Firstly , you need to analyze and understand what exactly your baby is afraid of. Surely he doesn’t like one thing in the bathing procedure, and not the entire process.
Secondly , eliminate what prevents the child from taking a bath calmly.
Here are, for example, hint options:
- The child does not like the temperature of the water. Mom makes the water too hot to prevent the baby from catching a cold. First make the water 37 degrees, and then slowly add hotter water. If you want to harden your child, carry out all procedures gradually.
- The child does not like to be washed in the shower. If it’s hard to do without a shower, take water into any suitable vessel and water your baby - he may like this procedure more.
- The baby doesn't like water getting on his face. Here, just try to wash your child so that nothing gets on his face, and keep a towel handy just in case. Wash your face a little before or after a bath.
- The child does not like being washed with a washcloth. Most likely, the baby does not like “this” washcloth - replace it with a softer one. It is better to wash yourself several times without using a washcloth at all.
- The child generally does not like being washed, but enjoys playing in the water himself. In this case, you need to give the child free rein - let him wash for a while by playing in the water. And little by little, while your baby is splashing, begin to wash him discreetly.
When bathing a baby, it is better to eliminate or replace all possible inconveniences. Try to change the bathroom environment to something more interesting (unfamiliar). Throw toys into the water, buy your baby a new boat, duck or other toy suitable for water.
How to teach your child to bathe with pleasure
Since the birth and development of a baby takes place in an aquatic environment formed in the mother’s womb, in the first days of life he feels even more comfortable in water. The parents' task is to properly organize the washing conditions. If comfortable conditions are not taken into account, the baby experiences pain and discomfort, then a protest regarding bathing begins.
If the child has already reached a conscious age, but has not developed a love for bathing, then you can try the following methods:
Motivation
Even a child needs motivation for certain actions, and you can also choose several options for bathing. For example, tell that with each water procedure the immune system becomes stronger and the body becomes stronger, which works well for boys. For girls, focus on the beauty and pleasant smell after washing, which is exactly what real princesses or other heroines look like. All parents who know the character of their child and are involved in his life will be able to choose the right motivation. You just need to think a little and convince that some of your desires can come true with regular washing.
Make the process interesting and exciting
For these purposes, there are many toys, devices designed for water procedures or just for games. You need to pay attention to the containers, since most children like to pour and collect water. You can take your favorite toy with you; if it cannot be wet, then place it nearby. If the child does not know what to do with these toys, then you need to involve him in the game and dream up together.
Learning to be independent
Children like it when they are trusted with important matters, and with the help of this feature you can teach your child to take a bath and shower. What will be allowed to a son or daughter depends on age. You can allow them to prepare a bath together, for example, keep track of how much water has been collected or what its temperature is, and make you feel the importance of your opinion. Let the baby try to wash himself, lather a sponge, take a shower; some children especially like to direct a stream of water towards themselves.
A story about the benefits of cleanliness and what can happen if you don’t wash
The tactics are aimed at light intimidation, the main thing is to know the limitations. You should tell us what consequences may arise if you don’t wash for a long time. For example, explain that bacteria will settle on the skin, it will itch and turn red, untidy people have difficulty making friends, they are not trusted with serious matters, and so on.
Pleasant words of approval, praise after bathing
After water procedures, you need to focus on how much prettier the child has become, how pleasant he smells, and note other positive changes that occurred precisely after bathing.
Promotion
The option is controversial, but in completely hopeless situations it can be used. If the bathing is successful, you can promise to share your favorite games, treats, watch cartoons, read books or other activities that are suitable as a reward.
Learn to wash your hair and body correctly
Often it is because of washing your hair that problems with bathing arise, including through the fault of parents. It is recommended to develop a rinsing strategy to minimize discomfort.
Organization of comfortable conditions
This concerns the temperature of the water, which must correspond to the needs of the baby. You can try using a thermometer, since it takes experience to determine a comfortable temperature for a child by feeling. Some adults prefer a hot bath and, by analogy, prepare one for their son or daughter, although such a temperature is unpleasant for sensitive skin. 37 degrees is considered optimal. If there is a washing machine in the bathroom, you need to turn it off, the sounds can be scary.
Own example
Children love to imitate their parents and based on this, cleanliness and the importance of bathing should be cultivated. For example, pay attention to the fact that dad or mom constantly take baths, keep clean, and this is not at all difficult to do. A positive result is achieved when there are brothers or sisters who lead by example. If they have a slight difference, then you can organize a joint bath.
Instructive cartoons, videos
There are special cartoons and video collections promoting cleanliness and the benefits of bathing. They should be turned on as if by chance or when the baby is in a positive mood, determine the time for viewing.
Selection of shampoos and soaps specifically designed for children
If desired, this can be done together with the child, especially since most cosmetic products are designed in the form of fairy-tale characters and have pleasant aromas. When choosing a scent, it is better to focus on the baby’s preferences. If he likes strawberries, then he should stick with a similar flavor.
Accustoming to water
As an option, play around with a stream of water while washing your hands, allow them to wash dishes, fruits, pour liquid, splash a little. Such training must begin from infancy. At the same time playing with the baby, reciting poems and nursery rhymes. A kind of habituation occurs when the mother constantly washes the baby after using the toilet, and does not constantly use wet wipes, but only when necessary.
Parents need to be prepared that if a child does not like to swim, protests, or throws tantrums, then it may take up to a week to get used to water procedures. You should try to remain calm, show signs of good mood, calmness. The emotional mood, as well as the mood, is felt by children.
Regarding the psychological attitude, including the child’s motivation, explanation of the importance and usefulness of water procedures, such explanations should be done in a relaxed atmosphere. During protests, shouting and an excited state, information will not be correctly perceived.
Important!!! Before teaching a child to bathe, you need to make sure that there are no dermatological diseases, injuries, wounds, burns or other skin damage. You should also pay attention to your general well-being and rule out fever and other ailments.
Swimming while playing
Get him interested in playing in the water and distract him as much as possible from the washing procedure. Take care of your baby's safety in the bathroom and do not leave him unattended!
Children who don't like to take baths often enjoy splashing around in an inflatable pool, lake or sea. This serves as proof that the baby does not “dislike water,” he simply does not like something about the bathing procedure. Play in the bath!
You can start washing the dishes together as a game, and then move this activity to the bathroom and wash the children's dishes there. Perhaps a successful solution will be when the baby is bathed by the father for some time, and not by the mother.
If the child is still very wary and shy in the water, don’t force him. Just sit your child in the bath and take him out immediately at the first sign of anxiety. Over time, the baby will become more and more calm and will be able to spend a long time in the water. Encourage any interest your baby may have in bathing.
What to do if the baby does not like to bathe?
The baby doesn't want to wash. Why?
It may seem to you that your baby is afraid of water, but this is not so. All kids are natural swimmers. Not surprising, because for nine whole months they “bathed” in their mother’s tummy. A child may develop a conscious fear of depth by the age of two or three. Until this moment, whims in the bathroom indicate that the baby is simply uncomfortable. Unpleasant sensations during bathing can occur in a baby for various reasons:
- Hot - cold
Newborns react sharply to the slightest temperature changes. Their skin is very thin, the nervous system easily becomes excited. Therefore, it is so important to carefully monitor the thermometer not only before swimming, but also during it. The room temperature should be 20-22 °C. The procedures begin in water heated to 36-37 °C, then it is gradually cooled day after day, approaching 30-32 °C.
- Great swim
The baby must be bathed in a baby bath. The vast space of an adult bathtub can seriously frighten a baby.
- Take care of your eyes
During bathing, water or soap may get into the baby's eyes. If this happened once, the baby experienced unpleasant sensations and now does not want to wash.
- Oh, it hurts!
The baby needs to be held correctly in the water: place your left hand under his neck so that the back of his head is on the elbow. Your thumb rests on the baby's left shoulder, and the rest under the armpit. If you are afraid of dropping your baby while bathing, you begin to squeeze him tightly. It is clear that the baby does not like this.
- Lunch break
Perhaps the baby is screaming in the bathtub because he is hungry. Do not bathe your baby on an empty stomach. This can be done an hour and a half after eating.
- Not in the mood
If you bathe your child in the evening, he may be capricious because he is tired, or early in the morning because he did not have time to wake up. It is better to carry out water procedures at a time when the baby is awake and feeling well. If none of these reasons suits you, and the baby continues to cry in any conditions, just in case, take him to the pediatrician. Perhaps the baby has problems with digestion or the nervous system.
The baby does not like to bathe. What to do?
Your task is to turn water procedures into a comfortable and interesting process. You can do it like this:
- Take a time out
Newborns quickly forget bad events. If your baby was in pain, unpleasant or scared while bathing, take a break. For two to three days, replace bathing with wiping and washing with running water, and then begin the procedure again.
- Create an atmosphere
The right temperature isn't everything. The baby should feel your closeness. Before bathing, pick him up, rock him, walk around the room. As you head to the bathroom, talk gently to your baby or sing songs to him. Then the child must be gently lowered into the water. To ensure that the baby's head is constantly on the surface, use a children's slide. This will make the procedure easier for both you and your baby. Distract the baby's attention with a bright rattle (you can put it in the baby's hand). If the baby starts screaming, take him out of the water and wet him with a soft towel. You should not forcefully continue bathing, as this will only worsen the situation.
- Change your scenery
Perhaps the baby has negative associations with the bathroom. Try moving the bathtub into the kitchen. A change of environment should calm the baby.
- Choose a time
Make sure your baby is feeling well before bathing. You should not put your baby in the bath if he is tired or has not yet woken up.
- Protecting your eyes
If your baby is active and often spins in the water, buy him a special visor. It fits on the head and protects children's eyes from foam. By the way, a newborn is bathed with soap twice a week, and with shampoo - once.
- Soothing with herbs
Decoctions of chamomile, string, lemon balm or sage will help to relax and calm the baby. Add them to the water before putting your baby in it.
It will not be possible to teach a newborn to bathe instantly. Be patient, calm, confident and consistent. Then your baby will definitely love water treatments.
How to wash a child's hair
As for washing your hair, it’s much more difficult to do everything unnoticed by the child. If you can lather your hair with a baby who is keen on playing, it’s unlikely that you can wash off your hair... In this situation, you may find it very useful to have a baby seat for the bathroom , on the back of which you can lean the baby’s head to wash his hair.
Or it may be helpful to have a family member help: one rinses the hair, and the other supports the child's head so that water does not get on the face. Do not wash a sleepy or very hungry baby - he probably won’t like it.
Although, I sincerely hope that most mothers do not have such problems, I’m still wondering what tricks you had to resort to to wash your baby?
PS: Not every child has to love water and swimming. Perhaps your child is an exception.
Create suitable swimming conditions
Should I boil the water?
Of course you know: no. But if where you live the water is very hard or you are not sure of its good quality, then you can boil the bathing water for the first two months.
What should the water temperature be for the first swim?
“The water temperature for a newborn should be approximately equal to the mother’s body temperature (about 37°C), since these are the most familiar conditions for him. Then you can gradually reduce the temperature by 0.5 degrees, paying attention to the baby’s reaction - there should be no discomfort or anxiety,” says Polina Kizino.
It is necessary to control the water temperature with special safe devices. For example, the NUK Ocean thermometer is filled with pure rapeseed oil, a natural product that will not cause any harm even if it spills for any reason.
The air temperature in the bathroom should be 28 degrees - this will reduce stress at the moment when the child is taken out of the water and wrapped in a towel to dry the skin.
Should I add string, chamomile or other herbs to the water?
Everything here is individual: herbs dry out the skin and can cause an allergic reaction, so use them only after consulting a doctor.
What should a bath be like?
“Bathing in a large bathtub or a baby bath is a parent’s choice. Baby baths are usually more comfortable for the parent’s back, but in a regular bath there is more space for swimming,” says pediatrician Polina Kizino. One thing is clear: if you don't have a small bathtub, don't buy it. Try the option with a large bathroom, and then decide on the situation - it’s never too late to buy.
Komarovsky's advice on how to deal with a child's fears before bathing
For comfortable bathing and so that the baby is not afraid to wash in the bathtub, you should use a special holding slide
Evgeny Komarovsky believes that, first of all, it is worth eliminating all factors that influence the inappropriate behavior of a child from birth to one year during the bathing process. To prevent this, it is necessary to organize the procedure correctly. It often happens that after a few baths the baby becomes afraid of the hygiene procedure. It is necessary to rid him of his fears; to do this, pay attention to several effective recommendations.
- Before bathing a child up to one year old, so that he is not afraid, parents themselves need to calm down. It is not allowed to wash the baby in a bad mood or emotional fatigue.
- Don't forget to monitor the temperature of your child's bathing water if you notice that he is afraid of diving. The permissible limit is 37 degrees. It is better to pour a little water so that the large volume does not frighten the baby.
- Treat your baby's skin if he or she has heat rash or severe diaper rash. When wounds come into contact with water, pain and burning are felt, so the child may refuse to bathe
- Never leave your baby alone, even if he is swimming in a bathtub with a circle or is on a rug. He has every chance of sliding under the water and drowning.
- For a comfortable bath for your child, purchase a special slide with suction cups with a hammock made of thick material. This way you will free your hands and when crying you can entertain the baby with a rattle.
- For babies from 5 to 12 months, provided that he sits confidently, throw toys into the bath. As long as the baby is interested, you can wash him calmly. It is also recommended to use baby bubble bath or soap bubbles.
- Try to immerse the baby in water gradually, carefully pouring water over his body so that he gets used to the temperature. An older baby can be positively tuned before the procedure.
- If your baby flatly refuses to bathe and is very afraid of water, you should postpone this activity a little. Wait two or three days, perhaps the child’s fear will pass and he will begin to bathe as before.
Swimming with mom in a bath or pool relieves the baby of fear
- Try changing your bathing environment. If you carried out the procedure in a small baby bath, you can transfer the baby to a larger one and vice versa.
- If you are performing the procedure in a large bathtub, practice sharing bathing with your newborn. Just be sure to take a hygienic shower first to protect your baby from germs.
- Time your bath. The procedure should not take longer than 5-10 minutes. The water cools down during this period, but it is not advisable to add warm water when the baby is in the bath, otherwise the baby may get scared.
Don't forget to talk to your child and sing songs while bathing. Carry out the procedure in a playful way. Remember that play is a common conqueror of children's fears at any age.
We invite you to watch a video that details how to rid an infant of the fear of swimming.
