Fear of the Water? Or is it Normal?

I would think by now she would be used to it! My kids always loved their baths and I really don't know why she would. Have you talked to her pediatrician? He might have some ideas. Good luck!

My daughter,now 8, hated get in the bath. She would cry the entire time. Finally we worked it out. The only way she would not scream is if she wasn't in the bath tub alone. So on her bath nights I would put on my swimsuit and get in with her. We would use lots of bubbles and do silly hair dos. Eventually she got over it. And now she loves her baths. Keep trying different things eventually you'll find something that works for you. Good luck

Maybe your baby is uncomfortable with the temperature of the water? Well, I am just guessing, but for a 4 month old to have such fear is incomprehensible for me.

Has she always been like this? If she hasn't, possibly something startled her when you were bathing her or when she was near the water? Maybe you could cradle her in the crook of your arm so she's in a sitting up position and put a few inches of water in the kitchen sink and let it drip on her feet and legs so she can see it. While your hand is very wet maybe let her hold it so she can feel the water. Show her the water in the sink and splash it a little. Laugh with her. Maybe if you made it like it's the funniest thing in the world she wouldn't be so afraid. I'm wondering if she can't see the water when you sit her in her seat so it surprises her, you know, like a shock? One minute you're fine and the next you have a strange feeling on your behind. I know that, in your place, my first reaction would also be to hold her tight to me. But I'm wondering if that reinforces her fear. Like it's validating it, showing her that she has something to fear. I'm just guessing here. I know that babies are very observant and sensitive to things we never think of. That why I suggested the visualization with the water at the kitchen sink. It might help, too, being in a different room than the bathroom. Maybe if she doesn't scream after playing a little with the water you could hold her in a standing position and just touch her feet a little into the water so that she can see her feet in it. My other thought is, and I'm sure it's not this, that the water in the tub is either too hot or too cold. I hope I've helped a little. At least it will give you something to do until you see the doctor. Good luck.

Make sure the temperature of the water is lukewarm. The way to make sure it is not too hot for a baby or small child is to stick your elbow in the water. Your hands can handle water hotter than your baby can. So testing the water temperature with your hands is NOT a good indicator. Or perhaps get a water thermometer would help to make sure the temperature is suitable for a young baby. Check with your baby's doctor to see what is the correct bathwater temperature for a baby. Since your baby is still so very young, would she feel more comfortable being bathed in a baby tub? Instead of the big bath tub? You want to make sure she has a calming experience when being bathed. Even as adults, don't we want our bathing experience to be relaxing and enjoyable? Perhaps you need to introduce her slooowly to the water. Talk to her in a soothing voice, saying things such as 'now it's time for your bath, here is some nice warm bath water. Oh, here is your ducky. etc.' That way you can, with a comforting, calming voice, help her to enjoy the water. I would suggest talking to your baby's pediatrician with advise on how to help your baby enjoy her bath time.

It is normal, the sudden change in temperature will sometimes create a different reactions on anybody specially at his age and that reactions is normal specially if there is no warning. We have different forms of tissues in our bodies some are easy to adopt a new environment some find it hard to adjust. but anyway even in older person you can't just imagine and older one kept screaming upon touching the skin of a rat. However young as he is training and familiarity may be the factor to such a dynamic response of his senses. That is familiarity and constant used to it, will eradicate such untoward behavior in the future.

Was she before this taking baths in the bath tube or a baby tube or not at all? Because if this is new to her sitting in the tube it can be very scary and a lot of babies react that way. My oldest when she first started to sit in the tube she would cry and scream like you are talking about because it was different the tube was much bigger then what she was use to. More and more she took baths over the months she got use to it and stopped that and loved the water.

I think it is normal for a baby to scream when they are taking a bath. Just keep on bathing her but you must finish it quickly. From my experience, I bathe my son quickly because he will start crying already. And covered her with towel. Turn off the fans or aircon first before you start to bathe her. you must have someone to help you while bathing her. And be careful as well. After months, she will be used to and won't cry anymore. Just a suggestion.