Baby does not like having his face washed!

[Finance Guy]

Can anbody help?

Our son gets really upset when we try to wash or wipe his face. He is one next month and a generally a very placid, happy child in every way. He loves baths, does not mind being washed anywhere else but becomes hysterical when we so much as wipe his nose (always gently, I hasten to add!). It upsets my wife and I and we would love to understand why he is so upset and also how to overcome it.

Anybody got any tips to get around this please?

Thanks :-)

[MarzipanQ]

At sometime the little chap may have been splashed on the face in the bath & got water up his nose. I still get panic stricken in the shower when water cascades down my face as a result of a nasty experience while being taught to swim. Might you try buying him a face cloth with a favourite character on, let him play with it in the bath, then introduce him to "washing" a toys face and make a game of it?

[Ice-Maiden]

Good idea Marzipan. You can buy bath soft mitts shaped like animals as well. We used to start off with gentle games, which included bath toys (water wheels, etc.) stuck to the side of the bath. We had some Disney characters that used to fall off these things. Everytime they did, we'd laugh, and give baby a splash on his tummy or leg. This progressed to his head. Once he was happy with water running down his face, we found it easier to wash it.

[andrea81]

Sponges are very good as you can squeeze out most of the water and then it doesn't feel wet. It would just be moist enough to clean his face.

[dwaty]

have you tried showing him you washing your face or try using a fragrance free babywipe pampers or johnson's and johnson, let him hold the wipe/cloth get him to do it to you maybe if he sees you doing it he'll not be so bothered when he gets his face cleaned, im a mother of 3yr old and 18mth old. I hope this helps
xx

[Finance Guy]

All superb answers and VERY helpful.

Thankyou so much for taking the time to help, much appreciated!

FGx

[ayla99]

Trying making it into a game. hide the flannel behind your back, "Where's it gone? (do wide-eyed, puzzled expression)... "Here it is" . (big grin Then you do a quick deft wipe before he realises whats happening. As you wipe use your fingers to tickle the side of his face & neck through the flannel - just a quick tickle at first and repeat a couple of times. (I'm assuming he likes being tickled!)

Sponges are good, also fleece wipes are more comfortable than flannels and don't feel so wet. Good luck!