Last week, I had a mom come in and tell me that her main struggle this week was getting lotion on her child with sensory processing challenges. He has tactile processing challenges, meaning that he is more likely to process touch input as upsetting or aversive to his skin. I looked down at his hands and I knew immediately why this was a priority for her. His hands were cracked, red, and close to bleeding. It looked painful! I quickly gave her three different strategies to try, and the next week he came in with hands that looked a little less painful. They were finally able to get lotion on him!
Why does lotion bother my child so much?
If your child has sensory processing challenges, they might have difficulty with processing tactile (touch) input. This challenge can be referred to as having tactile over-responsivity, or tactile defensiveness. Children who are over-responsive to tactile input may show the following signs:
- Difficulty touching foods with their hands. They may prefer to use utensils instead
- Refusals with bathing and hair washing
- Becoming upset with haircuts, especially with the feeling of falling hair
- Refusing to wear certain types of clothing – especially jeans or other “rough” textures
- Difficulty with getting their hands messy – including crying, running away from messy activities, etc.
- Resistant to light touch (these children may love bear hugs, but hate when you touch them lightly)
- Becoming upset with toothbrushing
How can I get my sensory child to allow me to put lotion on them?
Give them control
When things feel uncomfortable, it can be helpful to allow people to complete it themselves. I know for myself, if I have someone else tweeze my eyebrows, it can be more challenging to tolerate than when I do it myself because I am in control. When kids with tactile processing challenges have lotion applied, it feels uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. Instead of doing something uncomfortable to them, allow them to put their own lotion on. They are then in control and can stop, take a break, or use as much or as little pressure as needed.
Do sensory prep work
Our brains process light touch input on the same brain path as pressure input, so if we are having a hard time processing light touch, we can override that difficult sensation with deep pressure input. This is why your child might not like to be touched lightly but loves bear hugs. Prior to applying lotion, have your child complete “heavy work” activities with their hands. Then repeat this after applying the lotion to offset the difficult input.
Some ideas for hand “heavy work” activities include squeezing putty, doing animal walks that require the child to weight bear through their hands (bear walk, crab walk, etc.), and squeezing and releasing a fist. For younger children or those who won’t do those on their own, make sure to apply the lotion with deep pressure rather than lightly rubbing it on, and keep rubbing until it’s absorbed.
Make it fun!
We are more likely to experience things as painful when they are otherwise not pleasurable. You can make putting lotion on fun so that your child is less likely to feel it is painful. Try some of the following ideas:
- Add your child’s choice of aromatherapy to their lotion so it smells good to them
- Create shapes, letters, or faces with the lotion
- Make a sensory bin, but fill it with lotion – bury their favorite toys and have them “dig” them out to rescue them
- Buy a create your own lotion kit and have your child help you make their very own lotion
Get creative, and don’t forget to have fun with it!
If your child is having difficulties with processing touch or tactile input that makes it hard for them to do the things they need/want to do every day, consider an OT evaluation to determine what supports can be put in place.
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions.
