Premmie havving big issues with touch

[surfergirl1973]

Hi. I am wondering if someone else has had problems like this:

My boy was born at 31 weeks and everything went well. He is now just over a year or nearly 11 months corrected. He is going well developmentally, but often has problems with being touched.

Mostly he hates nappy change and screams and turns over. He also hates getting dressed. He behaves as if I would torture him. He hates being put in his high chair, car seat and pram. I often have to force him and use a LOT of strength to put him in these.

I tried playfull, gentle, lots of patience, its allways the same. I am not even gonna start how I have to hold him when giving him medication or sucking out his nose when he has a cold!

But then on the other hand he nearly constantly wants to be carried around screaming his head off when I have to put him on the floor to do something. Even when his 2.5 yr old sister plays with him.

I have found something called "sensory integration issue" and wonder if he might have that?

He also does not talk much. He does not do anything like dada, mama, baba. (but this is not so much what I am worried about).

Any ideas of similar experiences? Much appreciated!

[Peaze]

I had a friend who had an extremely premature baby girl years ago and although she loved being held, she didn't like too much touching either. They say it's from being removed from physical contact for the time they are in NICU. If you constricted her too much she would cry, but when you carried her, she would always slip one hand in your shirt to feel your heartbeat. Very cute :)

[breakthemould]

It sounds like Sensory Processing Disorder, but I am sure someone else who knows more will be along shortly to help you more.

Sounds tough for both of you, hugs.

[Zombie_eyes]

Hello, im sorry if im intruding in a section i dont belong in. My children have sensory processing disorder, my second son is especially sensitive to touch. I would def try at paed at first and get their opinion, more than likely you will be reffered to an occupational therapist.

[surfergirl1973]

Thanx for your responses! Yeah I think I will speak to the doctor at the hospital at his next premmie follow up and take it from there! :fingerscrossed:

And... DiamondEyes.. i dont think your gatecrashing :wave: Everyone belongs into every section! Sorry to hear your kids have this condition. Anyway.. could you tell me a little bit more about the symptoms and the treatment? Ta!

[Zombie_eyes]

My ds#2 now he can verbalise, tells me when thinga hurt him, and alot of things hurt him, if someone bumps into him even gently he has a big reaction, he cant handle having a shower or having his hair washed, the pressure from the water causes him a lot of distress, if he wants to be held (although now at 3 will resist a lot of physical contact) then he will complain im holding him too tightly, even if i barely have my arms around him.

We do therapuetic brushing, which he finds uncomfortable but it has helped desensitise(sp?) him, with a therapuetic brush we go over his arms, hands, back, legs and feet with it 3 times a day (after the initial intensive 2 week introduction which is done every two hours)

[lovelymum]

I agree with Sensory Processing Disorder, as we have found out the markers are:
premature birth
Low birthweight
Jaundice
IUGR

DS was born at 37 weeks so not too early but had a very low birth weight as a result of IUGR and I remember when he was little I had to cut the tags off all his clothes as he could not bear the feel of them on his skin, he also handles his food a lot so he is very touchy feely with it. DS was diagnosed at 6 but so many things that he did as a toddler all make sense now.

Probably best to see a pead who may then refer you to your local childrens services unit for an assesment.