Whether you’re struggling getting your little one in the bath or just looking for ways to make it more fun - there’s lots of ideas here!

We went through a stage of Etta REFUSING to bath. At the time it felt like ages and I was really worried that she wouldn’t wash properly and that bath time was so stressful, but now we’re through it - it doesn’t seem so bad - So if you’re in the same position, they (and you!) will get through it!

Here’s what worked for us, hope it helps you too.

THE BEST BATH SONG

Firstly, you have to learn this song! Everyone loves it and it can help in & out of the bath. Plus the sign for TURTLE is one of my all time favourites!!

‘Bubbles’ was the first sign Etta learnt from the song, followed by a very cute attempt at the sign for ‘turtle’ and she can now sign the whole thing.

I started doing it during the day with Etta and she’d get so excited. At bathtime I’d say, ”Let’s get into the bath and do the turtle song!”. It worked!

If you want to add some real bubbles to the song then there are some machines below - but their normal bubble bath will do the job too!

IN BATH BUBBLES

This is so clever! You fill it with water and some of your normal bubble bath/ soap you use at bath time and it pours out MEGA bubbles into the bath.

It also plays nursery rhymes if you wanted it. Etta was so excited by it (and so was I!)

You can buy it here! You’ll need to buy AA batteries to go in it and have the world’s smallest screwdriver to get it open!

ANY TIME BUBBLES

For bubbles in or out the bath, anytime then THIS frog machine is the ultimate bubble machine! It pumps out such good bubbles without drowning everyone like some others I’ve tried!!!

I’ve tried soooo many machine but this is the only one I’d use now.

It for ages and it comes with bubble mixture and a screwdriver - you will need to buy batteries to go with it though.

You can buy it HERE.

WARMING UP TO BATH TIME

We started doing this book before bath time - it’s really fun and interactive as it asked them to ‘make’ waves for the elephant in the book by shaking the book etc. and also help the elephant by shouting things out.

It ends with:

‘Is it time for your bath now?’

So is a good was to lead up to it!

You can watch the baby sign version of it, from 4.06 mins in, HERE.

Or you can buy the book here.

GETTING ETTA TO WASH IN THE BATH

Next, I’d get her INTO the bath. But actually washing her was another matter! I didn’t push it for a while and hoped she’d build up a happy association with bath time if she jjust sat in the bath and played. It was a massive improvement so I was happy with that!

But then it got to the point where she reeeeeally needed a good clean!

So I used a tactic that I’d come across on Amanda Jenner’s Instagram page - it’s meant for potty training but it worked for washing in bathtime.

I made a deal with Etta - if she let me wash her/ wash her hair she’d get a present.

I wrapped these in a flannel so she could open in the bath when she finally agreed to let me wash her. Wish I’d discovered them sooner! She has so much fun drawing things in the bath!! They wash off fairly easily too.

Using Colours at Bath Time!

We can’t have bath time without these at the moment! Etta get excited choosing what colour her bath will be that evening and sometimes mixing them to make extra colours. It’s great for getting her into the bath and practising her colour signs too to add to the fun (and praise!) at bath time.

I was nervous about using these because Etta has really sensitive skin so I thought she might react to them but we’ve never had any problem which is brilliant!

You can get them HERE.