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Bathing and showering

Child holding bath items

Many children find bath or shower time hard.

There can be lots of reasons for this.

The ideas below can help your child feel more comfortable, confident, and relaxed, and make bath time easier for everyone.

Why Bathing or Showering can be difficult:

1. Sensory Sensitivities

Your child may be sensitive to:

  • Water temperature (too hot or too cold)
  • The feeling or pressure of water on their skin
  • Soaps, shampoo, or flannels feeling unpleasant
  • Noises, such as running water or splashing
  • Bright lights in the bathroom
  • Strong smells from toiletries or cleaning products

Top tips for making Bathing and Showering easier:

1. Support Your Child’s Sensory Needs

Try to make the bathroom calm and predictable.

  • Lighting
    • Dim the lights
    • Use battery candles or light from the hallway
  • Sound
    • Play calming music or white noise
    • Add towels or mats to reduce echoes
  • Temperature
    • Keep the water at your child’s preferred temperature
    • Make sure the bathroom air is warm and comfortable
  • Touch
    • Let your child choose what to wash with (cloth, sponge, mitt, loofah)
    • Offer different types of soap or body wash to see what they like
    • Tell your child what you are about to wash and where
    • Wash in the direction the hair grows
    • Use the towel texture your child prefers
    • Dry with firm pressure, if your child finds this calming
  • Smell
    • Avoid strong smells
    • Let your child choose mild or favourite scents
  • Body Awareness (Heavy Work)
    • Try activities before bathing like carrying items or climbing stairs
    • Use firm, deep pressure during washing if your child finds this calming
    • Let your child pour water on themselves using a jug
  • Head Position
    • If tipping the head back is difficult, try:
      • Lying back in the bath
      • Sitting with back support
      • Tilting the head forwards instead

2. Reduce Fear and Worry

  • Start Slowly
    • Begin with washing at the sink
    • Let your child sit in an empty bath
    • Use a damp cloth before adding water
    • Slowly build up to more water over time
  • Use Timers
    • Start with short baths and slowly increase the time
  • Bathing with Someone
    • Bathing with a parent or sibling may help some children feel safer
  • Keep a Routine
    • Bath or shower at the same time each day
    • Use pictures or visual schedules to show each step
    • Use a visual timer
    • Prepare towels, toys, and water first

3. Help Your Child Feel in Control

  • Offer choices (soap, toys, washing order)
  • Encourage your child to wash and dry themselves where possible
  • Use a step‑by‑step picture checklist
  • Stay calm and patient

4. Increase Motivation

  • Make bathing part of a regular routine
  • Add fun with toys, bubbles, songs, or music
  • Let your child wash dolls or toys in the bath
  • Use simple rewards if helpful, such as:
    • Music or a podcast
    • Reward charts
    • “When–then” statements (e.g. When you’re clean, then we can play)
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