Baby very sensitive to noise

[IDontLikeMondays88]

My baby is almost a year old so born in lockdown.

During lockdown we’ve done as much socialising as possible albeit it outside, including two baby groups that meet outside and generally lots of walks with friends. We’ll let the babies crawl about on picnic blankets etc

This week we started back at baby classes. Baby sensory was going fine until the leader put very loud music on, he then just cried for 40 minutes straight. Today we went to baby swimming. He was happy and confident in the changing rooms - smiling at strangers and quite happy. The minute we went into the pool area which was very loud he started screaming to the extent I had to leave the class. He was basically fine as soon as we got outside.

This week I have also noticed him shrugging one shoulder a lot to certain sounds eg cars passing when we are out walking, the kettle, the hairdryer. He is used to these sounds. He is now even touching his ear to his shoulder when we put on his white noise machine which we have used since birth so something he is very used to.

I called the GP about the shrugging thing, who wasn’t all that interested - said to monitor it and hasn’t actually examined him.

Any ideas as to what the issue is here and what I do about it. I wasn’t worried about him going to nursery soon on the basis that at the outdoor groups we’ve attended he is happy and smiley. However I am now
very worried about nursery on the basis of this weeks baby classes, I just don’t think he would manage nursery at all.

Also I am a bit sad he is going to miss out on baby classes - as I’ve so been looking forward to doing
fun stuff with him after lockdown.

Could he have an ear infection potentially? Or teething badly?

I am not sure as GP hasn’t looked at his ear. He seems quite well in himself though. He is teething - top 4 are coming through. Do you think that would
make him sensitive to noise maybe?

I think it could as teething pain travels up the nerve towards the ear. Clamp down on your teeth now, you’ll feel a slight pulling sensation to the ear.

Thank you that’s interesting

Bumping

My son is now nearly 4 but he was quite sensitive as a baby. He hated baby swimming! And, although it was obviously long gone by the time he was your son's age, he had a strong startle reflex for a long time. He always needed more help getting and staying asleep than some of my friend's kids.

Fast forward to now and he's AMAZING, but he's definitely what I would call spirited or sensitive. He's still way more reactive to energy, excitement, new experiences than some kids. I honestly think some children are just MORE than others - more sensitive, more aware of their environment. But it doesn't mean there's anything wrong.

Thanks

My son actually sleeps quite well, I would say he is a good sleeper.

With the swimming, would you keep trying to go or?? I am not sure whether to cancel these classes or try and persevere with him

We didn't bother in the end. It was actually a massive hassle for all of us! Swimming with a baby is hard work, I think, especially if they're not enjoying it. There will be gentler, less stimulating places that your son does enjoy.

I'm heavily pregnant now with number 2 and I definitely won't bother with swimming until he is much older.

You could read about sensitive kids or spirited kids? Could help you to work out if that's what's going on.