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It’s common for children to refuse to change their clothes: They’re notoriously stubborn. However, for some children, clothing sensitivity can be a true challenge, ranging from discomfort with harsh fabrics, seams, and tags to the extreme of wearing only one type of clothing daily. These issues may exist alongside other sensitivities, like touch, textures, and temperature.
“Protected nerve pathways lead up to the brain and alert you to danger,” explains Lindsey Biel, occupational therapist and co-author of Raising A Sensory Smart Child. “It’s like when you feel a mosquito, and you quickly go to swat it, hopefully before you’ve been bitten. But the volume [of that signal] is too high for some kids, so a lovely soft shirt that just lightly grazes your skin triggers protection and feelings.”
These sensations can be heightened during winter when skin becomes drier and more sensitive, leading to kids feeling discomfort and, in some cases, removing their clothes as a result. If your child is experiencing sensitivity to clothing, here are some things you can do to help them manage it.
Find out what triggers your child
For those with sensory processing issues, the feeling of their clothing can be a constant distraction, making it challenging for parents to decide how to best accommodate their child’s clothing sensitivity.
Try to pinpoint what might be triggering your child’s sensitivity. Do they not like getting towel-dried after bathing? Do they avoid loose-fitting clothing? Biel recommends using this checklist to help you determine what is activating your kid’s symptoms.
Change their wardrobe
Clothing sensitivities can be caused by fabrics or accessories, so it may be necessary to find some other options. Biel recommends avoiding synthetic fabrics and clothing with a lot of itchy seams, zippers, and tags. Have your kid wear all-natural fabrics, except wool, as it can cause itching.
“Have only acceptable clothing in their drawers,” says Biel. “If there’s a brand of shirt your child likes, go buy multiples.”
Other options include one-piece suits, weighted vests, and compression clothing to help children self-regulate. There are several places on the internet where you can order sensory-friendly clothing to meet your child’s needs.
Wash and moisturize
How you wash your child’s clothes can also exacerbate their sensitivity. Some fabric softeners leave a residue on their clothing. Avoid detergents with perfumes and dyes, and think about what soaps you’re using that can trigger conditions such as eczema. Massage moisturizers on your child’s skin in the winter as it can become dry and especially sensitive during the cold months.
“Adding good fatty oils to food will help moisturize the skin from the inside,” adds Biel.
Desensitize your child
When introducing new items to their wardrobe, let your children touch and hold the clothing before wearing it. This allows them to gradually become used to them.
If your son or daughter becomes over-stimulated by their clothing or other items, Biel offers several activities you can try to help desensitize them:
Fill a large plastic container with beans and dry, uncooked rice, and allow your child to use it like a sandbox. This can desensitize their feet and hands.
Most clothing-sensitive children respond to deep pressure. You can create a sandwich with a pillow or cushions as the bread and your child as the peanut butter.
Similarly, you can swaddle your child in a blanket like a burrito.
There are also weighted toys and other items that can help calm your child down.
If all else fails, seek professional help
If your attempts to respond to your child’s clothing sensitivity haven’t yielded results, it might be time to consult a pediatrician or occupational therapist. They can work with you to help get to the root of why your child is clothing-sensitive and work on any more serious issues.
Says Biel, “You can’t address the behavior until you understand what is driving the behavior.”
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