Babies do not like grasses, and this is no hidden fact. Babies don't mind crying their eyes out just to avoid the green blades.
Maybe you've also noticed that your baby is constantly feeling reluctant to play on the grass whenever you are on camp, and you keep asking yourself, why do babies hate grass?
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Grasses cause a sensation in babies' bodies that they may not have experienced when touching other materials.
But could this be the only reason tots hate grasses that much? You will find out in a few minutes.
You will also get answers to all questions bothering your mind concerning babies and grasses.
So, read on!
Why do Babies Avoid Grass?
Grasses are soft and mostly harmless to babies. So, why do babies hate touching grass?
The primary reason babies avoid grasses is that it can make them experience sensory overload.
Infants prone to this condition may feel hypersensitive to things around them and become overwhelmed.
Baby playing on grass
Research shows that this condition is prevalent among infants, with about 1 in every six babies experiencing it.
Toddlers usually have problems processing information from their five senses.
That means stimulants like sounds, touch, odor, and some visual details may be too much for them to process all at once.
Grasses tickle babies' feet, and that feeling may be too much for them to bear. Again, the bright green color of a lawn may also be too bright for their visual perception.
As a result, babies may cringe at the sight of grasses or when you attempt to put them down on grasses.
Is it Okay for Babies to Hate Grass?
You shouldn't fret if your baby hates grasses in the early growth stage.
Babies avoid grass not because they think it is harmful.
The behavior is just an early trait among infants.
You can expect them to outgrow this behavior as they grow.
However, at age 2-3, the baby's sense organs should have fully developed. It may be abnormal if your baby still feels repulsive towards grass at this age.
So, we will advise you to seek medical attention if your baby doesn't stop hating grass at age 2 or 3.
Can Grass Harm Babies?
Like babies, grasses are not the same.
Some grasses are harmless, while some are poisonous.
Can grass harm babies?
If babies come in contact with poisonous grass, it may cause skin irritation like rashes.
Some grasses can trigger or aggravate eczema in babies with eczema-prone skin.
Some grass could even cause severe complications if ingested.
And if you just sprayed your lawn, the chemicals may affect your baby negatively.
Besides, insects and reptiles love to stay within grasses.
Who knows, your baby may be unfortunate to step on the poisonous reptiles or insects.
So, before you put babies on any grass, ensure you are familiar with the type of grass.
And make sure the grass is free of chemicals or poisonous animals that may be harmful to their health.
When Can You Start Putting Babies on Grass?
You can start putting babies on grasses as soon as they are comfortable staying on them.
But, we'll advise you to let babies into a field only when they can walk.
Or when they are mature enough to handle sensory information better.
So, we recommend between ages 2 and 3.
Tips for Putting Babies on Grass
The best way to introduce babies to a field is by letting them do so themselves.
Tips for putting babies on grass
Your baby would not probably begin to do so without some stimulation from you.
Meanwhile, you can help them cope better by following these steps.
1 - Prepare the Environment
Before you put your baby on the grass, you should ensure that it is safe.
Begin by getting rid of any poisonous plants on your lawn.
Search the lawn to see that there are no dangerous insects on it.
Freshly-cut lawns may have sharp blades.
Let the field grow for about two days before putting your baby on it. That time, grass would have grown softer edges.
2 - Put Several Playthings on the Field
Make several colorful and attractive toys available on the field.
These would encourage your kids to be less overwhelmed with the green expanse of grasses.
We expect the toys would distract them from the grasses and motivate them to get on the field.
3 - Spread a Mat on the Grassy Area and Sit Together
Babies don't have a problem sitting on a play mat, even when on grass.
Sit beside your tiny baby and play with them on the mat.
When your little one gets comfortable with the environment, the next action will be to explore.
With toys around them on the grass, a baby would venture out of the mat to get the toys.
Babies do not really hate grasses
Infants may shrink at first from the grass. With time, the urge to get the toys would overcome their fear.
Watch them move through the grasses to reach their toys.
4 - Keep Your Baby Mostly Standing
After your baby begins to socialize in a grassy environment, you should stick around.
You can help your little one navigate the grass by walking hand in hand.
That offers little surface area to grasses than when they crawl through.
Besides, you can prevent them from getting poked in the eyes by any grass stalk.
Final Thoughts
Unlike what most of us think, babies do not really hate grasses.
They only avoid them in response to their body's natural defense mechanism.
Most importantly, you should be observant to see if the grass is not one of your baby's allergens.
If you notice rashes on your baby after touching grass, stop putting your baby on such grass.
Overall, infants would outgrow this challenge with time. We all know that the grass is the favorite spot for many sporting activities of kids.
From playing football to catching insects, young ones don't seem to have enough of this surface.
So give it time. The little one will come around sooner than you could imagine.