A WORLD OF TOUCH – Touch stimulation for your baby
By Diana Kleyn – Occupational Therapist
A baby’s sense of touch stimulation is often a sense that is not actively stimulated. We play with our
babies, show them the world and talk and sing to them, but do we give them their sensory world
through touch? Often tactile stimulation occurs incidental.
Why is it important? Tactile stimulation is processed by the brain and reaches the brain through the
lower parts of the brain – called the brainstem. All the messages from this area influences other
areas. Tactile stimulation is the basis for many important areas of development. Tactile information
is the basis of motor planning: the ability to form an idea about a new movement, plan the
movement and execute the planned movement.
For a baby to be able to reach out to a toy, roll over or even learn to crawl they need to know where
their bodies are in space.
Premature babies are more at risk for tactile problems and subsequently for motor planning
problems. Why are they more at risk? A baby that was born at full term has developed to the size of
an average baby which means that he would receive constant deep pressure through the mother’s
uterus onto his skin. Deep pressure is important for babies to perceive their boundaries and also to
calm (modulate). A premature baby never reaches that size and often do not get adequate deep
pressure. Furthermore, premature babies are not swaddled, held and cuddled after birth by their
parents but are taken to ICU where they receive their first touch sensation: PAIN through needles,
tubes and the necessary means to save their lives.
Premature babies often develop tactile defensiveness. A state where their bodies perceive touch
stimulation, but where it is interpreted by their brain as painful. This has a negative effect on their
development. Tactile defensiveness is not limited to premature babies. Full term babies can also
develop tactile defensiveness and this is also hereditary. So, if the mother or father dislikes getting
dirty, gags easily or does not tolerate different textures clothing, chances are that your baby will be
the same.
Signs of tactile defensiveness are:
- Oversensitivity to touch – the baby can become irritated when handled and arch away from
the person holding him/her.
- Feeding problems – gags easily
- Oversensitive to clothing on the skin
- Dislikes being bearing weight on their feet
- When they are older they don’t tolerate touch and especially stickiness and dirt on their
hands and feet
- They may become distressed when having their face and hair washed or mouth wiped.
- They can become fussy feeders
- Brushing teeth can become a fight
- Avoids going barefoot in sand and grass
A child with tactile defensiveness needs the intervention of a Registered and qualified Occupational
Therapist to help the baby overcome this.
What can a mother do? Be aware of the signs and seek help as soon as possible.
Everyday touch exposure and stimulation:
- Play with your baby or child with different textured toys.
- Expose them to a variety of tactile (touch) information
- Use different textures of blankets
- When they are old enough to sit independently, expose them to the texture of grass (if they
don’t have allergy problems)
- Massage is an important part of touch stimulation for your baby. Integrate it into your daily
routine.
Use these interesting touch experiences -
Let your baby play with his/her hands in the following edible textures:
- Instant pudding
- Jelly
- Whipped cream
- Flour
- Maize meal
- Rice crispies
- Cooked lentils
- Cooked pasta
- Rice crispies with syrup
Have fun exposing your baby or toddler to the world of TOUCH
Published 9 May 2011 |
