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Fear of the Bath

by Dr. Benjamin Spock
reviewed and revised by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.
Between ages one and two, your child may become frightened of the bath. She may fret about slipping underwater or getting soap in her eyes or even seeing and hearing the water go down the drain.

She has to have a bath, so you need to figure out how to make it a less traumatic experience and allow her to come to terms with it.

To avoid soap in the eyes, soap her face with a washcloth that is not too wet and rinse several times with a damp but not dripping washcloth. Use baby shampoo that won't sting her eyes.

Babies who are afraid to get into the bathtub shouldn't be forced to. You can try using a dishpan, but if she is afraid of that, too, give her sponge baths for several months until her courage returns. Then start with just an inch of water. Be sure to remove the baby before you pull the stopper.
 RELATED INFORMATION
*  Fear of the Dark
*  Why Do Children Have Fears?
*  Fears


Adapted from Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care
Reviewed and revised June 26, 2000
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