For many of our outside-the-box kids, (and their parents!) sensory sensitivities are a big deal. This can look like avoidance of certain food textures, difficulty with bright or fluorescent lighting, sensitivity to sounds, odors and sensitivity to clothing. Today’s post is focused on clothing and deodorant.
It is easy for people to mistake this as a behavioral issue. Your kid is too sensitive. They are too picky. They are spoiled. You perhaps have experienced this as well, as people who don’t share the same sensitivities may find it difficult to understand. A misinformed adult could tell you that the issue is that you are coddling your child. They may say they didn’t have any issues because they were consistent and didn’t allow their child to behave the way your child is behaving. It can take time and it is not easy to do, but blow off those statements from the outsiders who are not highly invested in your child. Your child’s sensitivities are not due to poor parenting.
Children may be especially sensitive due to Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) or a gifted overexcitability, or both. While I’m not focused on food today, I’ll mention that you may want to rule out a tongue-tie if your child is very sensitive around chewy food and food textures.
For sensitive kids, clothing can be very tricky. Itchy seams, rough textures, zippers, buttons, and dreaded tags. For many of us, tags can feel like a razor blade is lightly poking at your skin over and over. I’m saying that from my experience. I could be sitting in a meeting in a new shirt, and as the tag touches me I realize I forgot to remove the tag and it is difficult to concentrate. The discomfort and distraction can be fairly substantial for me, and I’m an adult.
Here are some options that have especially worked for other sensitive families:
Underwear Solutions. Undies hack: try wearing inside out. The seams are on the outside and the inside is soft. Another hack: don’t be afraid to shop boxer briefs for a highly sensitive girl. HA has some that are more neutral (white), soft organic combed cotton. Why should boys have a monopoly on the softest, most comfy options?
- Bleuet Girl for girls’ bras, underwear, camisoles. Perfect for tweens and teens. Recommended: the Aster Organic Racerback Bra. Soft enough to sleep in, reversible, and straps stay put. Two thumbs up. Literally, save yourself time and stress, and try this first. Yay.
- Lucky & Me‘s Noah boys boxer shorts. (run small.)
- Fruit of the Loom boxer brief with a cotton-covered waistband.
- Hanes ComfortSoft.
- Hanna Andersson undies are a hit for many families.
- Primary undies.
Sock Options. While we are taking feet, here’s a squeaky shoe hack: Try placing half of a dryer sheet in the shoe bed, under the removable sole insert. Ta-Da! The sneakers are no longer squeakers.
- Bombas socks are great for sensitive feet.
- Other sock suggestions: try seamless brands.
- Try wearing socks inside-out.
- Wear Crocs or KeenH2 close-toed sandals, and go sock-less.
- Pacas socks are warm in winter, breathable in summer, sensory-friendly, long-lasting.
- SmartKnit Socks Seamless and designed with sensitivity in mind.
- Gekks alternative to socks. If socks are a no-go, you could look into gekks. It is a semi-permanent sock liner that goes in the shoe and absorbs unwanted odor. So, it is like wall-papering the inside of your shoe with a permanent, odor-absorbing material.
General clothing needs. Clothing hack: remove tags. If that is too tricky to do in a certain garment, have a seamstress do it for you. If you can find someone reasonable, they can also work with you to make special clothing accessible. I used to have our alterations person cover itchy waistband seams with soft cloth.
- Hanna Andersson for the win! It runs pricey, but the quality and thoughtfulness of design will win you over. Also, these clothes are made to last and make amazing hand-me-downs.
- Old Navy for their sweatshirts, sweatpants, and soft cotton knits. Budget-friendly, too. Figure out what style works and then watch for big sales.
- Primary Clothing tends to be another win for sensitive kids.
- City Threads, sensory-friendly line. I have heard good things. They do have tags, but the company reports the tags are soft and silky. They explained keeping tags has intentionality because they find some of their clients are sensitive to the paints used to print tag-free wording. And, you can cut the tag.
- Target’s Cat and Jack line tends towards tag-free and soft. Budget-friendly.
- Athleta Girl. Pricey but oh, so comfy and long-lasting pieces. These are the only swim suits that work for my child. Peruse the sales for deals.
Deoderants. Here is a list that various families have found successful for their sensitive tweens and teens. Note: “Unscented” may still contain masking scents. “Fragrance-free” contains no fragrance. However, no fragrance at all means there will be the presence of the unmasked, natural odors of the product.
- Loom Unscented Stick (not creamy or sticky)
- Native
- Native, charcoal version
- Dove Sensitive, solid stick. (Let the child pick the scent.)
- Arm and Hammer Unscented
- Tom’s of Maine Unscented
- Old Spice, Aluminum Free Note: feedback is that the scents are mild, not offensive
- Ban Unscented Solid
- Fussy deodorant stick
- Nivea Sensitive stick
- Schmidt’s Oat and Vanilla (reportedly, very mild scent)
- Vanicream deodorant (note: my dermatologist recommends vanicream products)
- Underarmed, stick unscented
- Consider making your own! A friend’s Homemade Deodorant recipe: Combine 4 tbsp. baking soda and 4 tbsp. organic olive oil or coconut oil. Optional: add a couple drops of essential oil. Keep the mixture stored in the refrigerator for freshness.
Do you have a favorite clothing, deodorant or hack that didn’t make the list? Please let me know! I would love to add it.
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