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Expert Q&A

	By David L. Fay, M.D. Family Physician Associate Director, Waukesha Family Practice Residency Program

My son, Michael, is 13 months. He very much dislikes his bath time. He doesn't like water on his face and hair. He screams and stands, and my husband and I have to hold him down to give him his bath. We have tried music, dim lights and even taking a bath with him. Do you have any suggestions?

Ironically, this sounds very much like my daughter when she was his age. She began swimming at 18 months and went on to become a record-setting swimmer who loves the pool. I would suggest changing the venue of the bath to see what he likes. Consider taking him into the shower with you (that's how we started with our daughter). Or you may want to start small: put him in the tub to play while it's dry, then put in small amounts of water that are not threatening. Associate bath-time with pleasant things: toys, treats. Give him a few baths without soap, and without getting his head and face wet. For our daughter, going to the pool was the trick. This girl who hated the bathtub wouldn't get out of the pool. Go figure."

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