DD did NOT LIKE baths as an infant! She hated them with a passion. So I gave her one about 1x a week. Instead, I'd use a wash cloth to clean her body & hair. I'd just place her in a plastic dish tub on top of foam teddy bear for padding and do a quick 1-2 with a soapy cloth & then a rinsed cloth.
When she was able to sit up on her own at 4-5 months, DH took over her baths. It would be the only 15 minutes (other than my showers) I had on my own. He did the Daddy entertainment program. I'd hear it from the the other room. He'd sing, babble, talk, and was in constant dialogue with her the entire time. She forgot how much she disliked baths with his non-stop energy.
When she became too big for her little dish tub, I tried out the smaller version of
Snugtub inflatable bath. I liked the cushioning & it save a lot of water use. DD still hated the idea of taking a bath (screamed and fussed before it) but would settle down after the dreaded shampooing. I didn't worry about her slipping and falling as much since there was padding and I believe she felt more secure.
When she outgrew the little version around 15 months, we switched to the deluxe size. Had to purchase a 2nd one about a year later. It developed a slow leak after the umpteenth trip we took with it. Still, I figured that we saved a lot of money not filling the entire bath with water on a daily basis.
Occasionally she still goes through spells where she still LOATHES baths with a passion. Around 14 months she screamed for an entire 2 weeks, poor dh didn't know what to do. I ended up finding some newer water toys at a rummage sale and that solved the problem. A while before, DH was tired of his monologue and I told him that he didn't have to 'act' all the time. She could participate. Oh, that became something new for her to tell daddy stories and sing to him.
We stopped using the inflatable tub just before her 3rd b-day. Her legs had gotten too long, so we had to find her the 'right' tub non-slip pad before she was happy again. DD still battles 75% of the time against going into the bath, but she'll settle down once the routine of potty, undress, climb in begins.
We also have always had a hand-held shower instead of a wall mounted one, so she helps wash herself with it or plays with it while I shampoo her hair. That's been a good distractor in the last 18 months too.
Promotes independence AND keeps her occupied. Love it :cool!:
Hope this gives you some ideas. Good luck and maybe someday, he'll appreciate them more :2thumbsup:
