hellish time during baby bath  

At just four weeks old I'd continue to give her sponge baths. Bring all her stuff into your bedroom on your bed. Have a small basin of lukewarm water. Keep her diaper on her until you need to remove it. Start with the head while she's still wrapped up in her towel (babies get cold rather quickly) and wash gently, then down to her face, and neck. Place her cap back on her after you've brushed her head (the baby brush helps to keep cradle cap down, you can also put a bit of baby oil on top of her head).

Once you're done with this unwrap her upper body and wash her back, front, then arms. Dry them off right away and wrap her back up. Do her legs and feet next, and dry. Then clean her diaper area, powder or cream her (if you use anything), and put her diaper back on. Then get her dressed right away. Keeping her swaddled as much as possible during bathtime will help her feel secure.

You may want to try adding soothing music in the background, and soft voices rather then high pitch ones. If you use lotion you can use this time for a baby massage. Again, keep her covered except the area you are massaging.

Many blessings. Namaste-Anora

For the time being, I wouldn't put her in the water. Just have the water ready and while keeping the parts not being washed covered, sponge bathe her. Talk soothingly to her. Take your time getting her used to the water. One thing you might try is taking a bath while holding her. Just make sure the water is at a proper temperature for her and someone is handy to take her from you so you don't have to struggle getting out of the bath. Your holding her close might help her feel more comfortable and help her get used to the water.

Hi,
I don't have a child now^^
My Mum told me that when I was a baby, I would never let her give me a bath, just like your baby. And even when I was older, about 4years old , I was still afraid of water,and when My Mum shampoo my hair, I would cry and run away.^^
Now I don't ,and I can't remember why I refused to do that^^
But now you baby don't like bath in water,you can try some other way,using a tower or something else^^
Good luck,fresh mother^^

All baby are afraid from baths, but they need it and when they do it they feel very fresher , happier and usually go to sleep, that welp help mothers to go to others duties!
When you have a baby that don't sytop crying, just give him a bath and you will see, he will relax after , smile and go to sleep!

hmm...my baby is 7 months old now. I remember that he did not really like to take bath when he was younger. That's about the when he was 1 month old. But he did not cry that badly. One thing that I notice is that, he was not really dislike taking bath. He cried once he was naked. He was actually feeling unsecured. we did not do anything except telling him this is bath time and later, he got used to it and now he just love to take bath.

Ha ha - I remember those days. Quick in, quick soap over, quick rinse then out again, wrap in a towel and cuddle. At least it makes bath time quick!

my boys were both like that. As soon as they'd touch the water they'd freak out. crying the hole time. I'm tried adjusting the water temp, using relaxing scents like the johnson's lavendar bath, talking soothingly and it didn't matter. I would just after a while get them in and out of the tub as quickly as possible. I'm not sure what the heck it was that they didnt like.

did you try to sponge her, instead.. or wipe her down with wet towel first ?..

i normally start by washing my baby's face.. then their heads.. wash the shampoo away and only start with the 'body'...
and one of tricks i learnt from my mom would be - not to strip the baby totally,
leave the top (shirt) + diapers on first - but let her feet touch the water,.. wash her feet first, let her feet play in the water a bit.. and then if you think she is more relaxed, and comfortable.. you can take the top off and start splashing some water on her, instead of dipping her inside the water... and when she's okay with that.. off with diapears...
good luck...

Maybe she's afraid of water. Have you tried enrolling her to swim class? Or maybe you haven't gone to a beach or pool with her. You need to check if she's afraid of water or if that just ticks her off. If she is then maybe you've already solved the problem halfway.