As a new mom, it’s natural to be intentionally aware of your baby’s development. If your little one seems to struggle with certain daily tasks like diaper changes and feeding, you might feel concerned about their growth and success. These challenges could be due to a Sensory Processing Disorder. Fortunately, Occupational Therapy (OT) can be a valuable resource to support infants facing sensory processing challenges. Let’s explore five common problems caused by these challenges and how OT, along with simple activities at home, can help your baby thrive.
1. Difficulty with Diaper Changes
Problem: Some babies may overreact to touch or odors, becoming upset during activities like diaper changes or cuddling.
How OT Helps: Occupational therapists use gentle touch and play with different textures to promote functional brain connections so babies become more comfortable with various sensations.
At-Home Tip: Gently massage your baby’s arms and legs with an unscented lotion or oil after bath time. This soothing activity can help them get used to different touches.
2. Difficulty with Being Bounced or Rocked
Problem: Gently bouncing or rocking an infant usually helps them calm down. If this isn’t true for your sweet baby, they may have difficulty processing movement information through their Vestibular system.
How OT Helps: Therapists engage babies in slow, rhythmic movements to help train the brain to make connections that allow them to feel safe, and even comforted, by movement.
At-Home Tip: Provide skin-to-skin contact while slowly and gently rocking your baby. The comfort of your touch can provide the security they need and will strengthen your bond.
3. Cries Easily in Response to Sounds
Problem: All babies have a different threshold for the type and volume of sound that will cause them to startle and cry. But if your baby reacts this way in response to normal, everyday noises, they may have an overly-sensitive auditory processing system.
How OT Helps: Occupational therapists work on the foundational brain connections that interfere with how the baby processes sound. They may also introduce specific sounds gradually, helping babies become more accustomed to different noises.
At-Home Tip: Talk to baby in a sing-songy voice, or play soft, calming music during playtime to gently expose your baby to new sounds in a comforting environment.
4. Feeding Difficulties:
Problem: Baby may tire quickly when nursing or bottle-feeding, resulting in not getting enough to eat during feeding time and benign hungry again quickly. A baby who tires too quickly during feeding may have low muscle tone, or poor suck-swallow-breath coordination. Both of these challenges could be related to underlying sensory processing challenges.
How OT Helps: Occupational Therapists can do an in-depth evaluation to determine which sensory systems may not be functioning optimally and are therefore affecting baby’s endurance. Once the sensory systems are identified, the Occupational Therapist can design activities to help baby’s brain make stronger connections to improve muscle tone, coordination, and endurance.
At-Home Tip: Slowly introduce new sensations through touch, sound, and movement to allow baby to experience a variety and to process it before the next new sensation is introduced.
5. Delayed Motor Skills:
Problem: Infants with sensory processing issues may struggle with movements like crawling or grasping toys.
How OT Helps: Occupational therapists design play activities that improve brain connections to strengthen muscles and improve coordination.
At-Home Tip: Encourage tummy time with colorful toys just out of reach to motivate your baby to move and build strength.
Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. Incorporating these activities at home, along with support from an occupational therapist, can help your baby develop appropriate sensory processing skills, setting the foundation for healthy growth and success.