How are you guys actually bathing your toddlers who hate baths or playing with water in general?

My daughter has mostly hated baths, although there have been a few times when she loved them. Even when my parents bathe her, she sometimes screeches the whole time.

They’ve always bathed her in the kitchen sink. My dad holds her while my mom pours the water and washes her with a washcloth, so it has basically been a two-person job. They’ll be leaving for six months in a few weeks, though, so I need to figure out how to bathe her by myself.

Yesterday, I brought out her little plastic tub and tried letting her play with the water first, but she wanted nothing to do with it—not even splashing or playing with her toys. Eventually, I put her in the actual bathtub and washed her with a wet, soapy washcloth, and she started crying.

Was I wrong to just go ahead and bathe her even though she was upset? Am I supposed to wait until she’s comfortable with the water? And for those with toddlers who really hate baths, how are you actually getting them bathed by yourself?

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I would recommend trying to take a bath or shower with her. That helps my LO when she is feeling reluctant to take one.

My parents said I hated baths until they started doing them with me outside. My little ones love baths but my eldest hates getting water anywhere near his eyes.

I say if she doesn't mind it with a little bit of water, start there and gradually put more and more water in. A little water with you in there and maybe you can just play games at first just to reset how she feels about the tub.

She's she like bubbles? My December baby loves bubble bath. She also likes blowing bubbles in the bathtub and pouring cups.

You could also try maybe a bath doll/baby? My little one loves taking care of her baby doll and that might help your little one too.

Good luck! It's no fun having that wrestling match.

(Mine currently does not want me to put her in her car seat and actively pushes me away to try to climb into it. Sigh)

I shower with my girl. I bought a collapsible bath to throw in the shower with me and I wash myself first, then her because if I washed her first she would be pissed and want to get out. When I do myself first she can see and hear me narrate that I'm cleaning and that she'll do it soon too. And she has time to play with her toys that she loves. She loves her finger puppets so we bring those in the tub and wash them afterwards since she plays with them outside of the tub too.

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