"The prickly texture and feel of grass is far different than softer and more comfortable feeling of carpet, tile, and wood surfaces on their feet, hands, and body, so babies are often scared of it," notes Gina Posner, M.D., a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
But why? Why don't babies want to play in the grass? There's a relatively simple reason: Grass can cause a baby to experience sensory overload. During the first few months of life, a baby's nervous system is getting tuned up, developing quickly in a way that makes sounds, sensations, and sights intense and jarring.
"Infants as young as eight months exhibit greater reluctance to manually explore plants compared to other entities," the authors note. The reason: They might be hard-wired to be sensitive to "ancestrally recurrent dangers" that stem from plants, like being poisoned by something toxic.
Keep it safe
Be sure you have chosen a flat, safe surface for grass play, and bring a clean sheet or blanket to lie baby on. Remember that as fun as grass play is for babies, it can also be very stimulating, so plan on a short adventure to start!
"This phenomenon with babies and sand occurs due to them being exposed to a new texture they have never experienced before for the first time," she tells Romper. "This is very common. A similar phenomenon is how babies react to new textures of new foods that parents introduced in the first year of life.
Even if it's not sunny outside, your baby's fragile skin will still burn, so it's essential to keep her safe. If your baby is under six months old, keep her out of the sun and in the shade. Carry an umbrella or canopy to the beach to cover or sit under a tree or some other available shade.
There's no set age limit but it's commonly accepted not to take them into the water until at least 2 months old and their immune systems have had time to build up. Time of Day: Babies' skin is far more susceptible to the effects of UV rays than adults.
Gina Posner, pediatrician of the Memoria Care Orange Coast Medical Centre, informed the e-magazine and blog, Parents, on January 9, 2023, that babies are often scared of the texture of grass.
Particularly if you have a fussy baby, time outdoors in the afternoon—leading up to the late afternoon into evening— may help regulate their sleep-wake cycle. Even on a cloudy day, exposure to the outdoors can help establish your baby's circadian rhythms more quickly than if they're indoors all day.
“As long as your baby is healthy and the pediatrician did not share any cautions with you that would prevent the baby from going outside, it's safe anytime!” she adds.
“The prickly texture and feel of grass are far different than the softer and more comfortable feeling of carpet, tile, and wood surfaces on their feet, hands, and body, so babies are often scared of it,” pediatrician Dr.
The standard infant fussiness usually starts at about 2 to 3 weeks, peaks at 6 weeks and is gone by 3 to 4 months. It lasts on “average” 2 to 4 hours per day. Of course, there is a wide variety of normal.
When your baby is around 3 months old, the crying likely will decrease to one hour or less a day, although some babies may cry regularly until they are 5 months of age, she says. “It's not the parent's fault the baby cries, it's just a phase the baby has to go through.
In newborn babies, common baby fears include loud noises, falling, separation from parents, and strangers. At this stage, babies can't distinguish between objects accurately enough to be scared by looking at them.
Young kids fear "pretend" things.
They fear what might be under their bed or in the closet. Many are afraid of the dark and at bedtime. Some are afraid of scary dreams. Young kids may also be afraid of loud noises, like thunder or fireworks.
Baby's First Fears
Newborns have two fears: loud noises and falling. "Babies' brains and nerves grow rapidly in the first two years of life, but they are born with very immature nervous systems," says Dr. Brown.
Babies need fresh air and light. Going for a walk outdoors is also stimulating and fun for your child. A healthy baby can go outside every day in any season, as long as the temperature isn't too hot or cold.
So why do babies stop crying when we stand up? Because being carried induces physiological responses that calm and soothe babies. Being carried by mom induces “central, motor, and cardiac regulations” that have a calming response stronger than rocking or other kinds of movement.
Stress can come in many forms for young children, from angry faces and reactions, rough handling, big changes in their daily routine or being overloaded by too much stimulation.
Why do babies avoid grass? There's a relatively simple reason: Grass can cause a baby to experience sensory overload. During the first few months of life, a baby's nervous system is getting tuned up, developing quickly in a way that makes sounds, sensations, and sights intense and jarring.
The results of two separate 2016 studies may make you think twice the next time you are tempted to lose your temper in front of your baby. In fact, the studies confirmed that babies can tell if an adult is anger-prone, and they may even try to change their behavior to appease that person.
When they kick, they start to understand that their body can create noise or movement. They are also building important neck strength by tucking their chin to look down at their legs and feet. This “chin tuck” helps build strength for rolling over from back to side, and then eventually from back to belly.
Tiny Babies, Big Risk
Their skin contains little melanin, the pigment that gives color to skin, hair and eyes and provides some sun protection. You may be tempted to reach for the sunscreen, but The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends waiting until the baby is 6 months old before introducing sunscreen.
Infant sun protection: How to keep your baby safe
Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old.
Although there is no absolute guideline – the general consensus by Pediatricians and other health professionals is that babies under 6 months (some would say 12 months) should avoid swimming/pools. Water safety is clearly important for all ages.