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Sense of Touch
Great tips to keeping your baby's skin soft and protected
By Lucy Dimbylow
While your baby surely enjoys your touch, there are some circumstances which makes touch bothersome and for some, downright painful.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby) has been shown to regulate premature babies’ heart rates and improve weight gain.
Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin, so boost your toddler’s diet with peppers, tomatoes, mangoes, dark green veg and dairy products.
If your baby is overdue, his skin may appear dry and cracked when he’s born. This top layer will gradually fall away, leaving it perfectly peachy underneath. |
Dr Carol Cooper, child development expert, says: “Touch is a way of communicating feelings, stimulating your child and building confidence. The experience of touch depends on the condition of your baby’s skin, so when his skin is irritated, dry, itchy or enraged, the lightest touch can be uncomfortable.
“Your tot’s skin is very sensitive - it’s just 30 per cent thinner than an adult’s, but with the same number of sensory endings. He relies on touch as his other senses are still immature.
“At 12 weeks, he begins to play with his hands. At 5 months, he touches everything within reach. At 8 months, he uses his thumbs. For hand-eye coordination, he relies on touch, not just vision.
“The investigation of his environment provides key learning experiences that are vital for his development and confidence.
“Children are curious by nature, and learn what feels good and bad by touching. Your little one also learns confidence by using you as a secure base, often returning from his explorations to touch you. If something feels good, like a soft blanket or a cuddly toy, your child will want to touch it again. These objects then become well-loved, and positive associations are created. Comfort objects are often outgrown as your child gets older.”
Protecting your baby’s skin from the sun is one of the most important things you can do for his health. We bring you some useful tips.
• Keep your baby out of direct sunlight, especially between 11am and 3pm, when the sun is strongest.
• Keep him covered up in a hat, T-shirt and lightweight trousers.
• Baby sunglasses will protect his eyes from UV rays.
• Most sun creams are unsuitable before 6 months. From 6 months, use an infant sunscreen of SPF15 or above.
• Do a patch test first, and wait 24 hours for any signs of irritation.
• Apply sun cream generously 20 minutes before sun exposure, then again immediately before going outdoors.
• Reapply cream every 90 minutes, and always after swimming or toweling your baby dry.
• A waterproof UV sunsuit or rash guard will protect his skin on the beach or by the pool.
• If he does get burnt, bath him in cool water with a teaspoon of baking powder to soothe the soreness.
• If his skin blisters, contact your paediatrician for advice.
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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