Can a bath be overstimulating for a toddler?

[babybarr]

Just wondering if part of DS waking for a long period at night is due to having a bath before bed???  Wondered if anyone else has encountered this?  The last four nights the 2 nights he slept through were the two he didn't have a bath and I wondered whether I was reading too much into that or if anyone else has experienced something similar??

He does have a few books before bed and used to have a little TV before bath although we no longer do this and it makes no difference - so the only thing I'm wondering about is the bath?

TIA

[momtonb&ab]

is it possible that the bath nights are 'later' nights, or more rushed?  usually a bath is a wind down for kids, especially a nice warm bath with a few easy toys - but if the nights you do baths are rushed, or later, you may be getting a bit OT out of it.  could you try doing bath a bit earlier to see if that makes a difference?  and maybe limit the toys in the tub?  we try to keep bath time 'quiet' here and even though we bath them together, we really temper their desire to be silly in the bath and just encourage quieter play.  not sure if that help you or not......

[babybarr]

Hi, thanks for that.  The nights don't tend to be later with a bath but they are a bit rushed.  It's hard to find the time from getting in from work, dinner and bath....  He can't have his dinner too late either as that upsets bedtime!  He doesn't have many toys in the bath and I keep it quite quiet but getting out and ready for bed is a bit of another matter!!

[nolansmommy]

I have a spirited toddler and have read the book "Raising a Spirited Child".  They do say in that book that bath can be stimulating and to move it to the morning if it's disruptive.  I would try it and see if it works.  My toddler does STTN and always has BUT he takes at least an hour to calm down after bath.  We started turning off the TV AND he is not allowed to play with toys after he gets out of the bath.  Only singing and books and talking about our day. 

[babybarr]

Thanks Nolansmommy.  We've been having bad nights now on no bath nights!!  I've tried much less stimulating things after dinner and low key things before bed but it doesn't seem to make any difference so I've concluded..it's probably not the bath (unfortunatley it couldn't be that simple!!!)