My Baby Aggressively Rubbing Face – 7 Effective Solutions for Instant Relief and Comfort

As a mother, it is important to be observant and attentive to your baby’s signals and behaviors. Although babies may not be able to communicate through meaningful words, they have other ways of expressing their needs and feelings like my baby aggressively rubbing face.

For instance, if you notice your baby aggressively rubbing their face, it may be a signal that they are tired or uncomfortable. By being aware of such signals, you can respond promptly and provide the necessary care for your baby.

As a mother, it is important to constantly seek knowledge and information about caring for your baby. This will help you to be better prepared and equipped to handle any situation that may arise.

Why Does My Baby Rub Their Face Aggressively?

You may have been looking at your baby’s red face and wondering what the problem could be. There are many reasons for your baby to rub their face aggressively. Here are some predominant reasons:

1. Your baby may be tired

Your poor baby may be feeling extremely sleepy. They may be finding it hard to fall asleep probably because they’re uncomfortable. In addition to rubbing the face, they may also toss and turn around repeatedly, or dim their eyes for seconds and open them again.

2. The baby’s reflexes may be responsible

Babies display various reflexes as they develop, which are involuntary muscle movements evoked in response to different stimuli. These reflexes are a sign that your baby’s nervous system is functioning properly and typically involve the movement of different parts of the body. During one of these reflex moments, your baby may rub or even scratch their face.

One example of a reflex is the “Moro reflex,” also known as the startle reflex. This occurs when your baby is suddenly surprised by an event such as a bright light, causing them to raise their arms and legs up with their head tilting towards the back. During this process, your baby may also rub their face with their hands.

3. My face feels itchy!

Your baby may rub their face because it feels itchy. This may be due to rashes or other skin-related issues such as eczema.

If your baby has dry, itchy, and extremely sensitive skin, then, they may be prone to rubbing their face aggressively.

4. Your baby’s face has been irritated by something

It may be that your baby’s face is continually irritated by a substance close to them or that they have got something on their face that they’re reacting to. They may be using their hands to rid the face of such irritants. It may also be that they are allergic to a certain substance.

5. Teething relief

Teething comes with a good amount of pain and discomfort. Your baby may be rubbing their face to ease the discomfort.

If you notice that your baby’s hands are especially rubbing the cheekbones, where the teeth can be felt, then it is likely that they are trying to relieve the pain in some way.

6. It could be an eye/ear infection

Sometimes, you have to take your observation a degree higher. Your baby may not just be rubbing their face, but rubbing some body parts on the face specifically.

If your baby is rubbing their eyes over and over, then they may have contracted eye infections.

In the same vein, if your baby is reaching for their ears repeatedly, it may be that an ear infection is lurking around somewhere.

7. The weather is so hot!

During hot summer days and nights, your baby is prone to rubbing their face aggressively because of the high degree of temperature in that season.

If heat makes you uncomfortable, then you best believe that it has the same effect on your baby, who may react to it by rubbing their face.

What If My Baby Is Aggressively Rubbing Their Face On My Body?

It’s worth noting that sometimes, babies might not only use their hands to rub their face but also run their face on your body as a mother. Although the reasons behind this behavior are similar to hand rubbing, there are some differences.

For instance, your baby might be rubbing their face on your body due to a reflex known as the rooting reflex, which is mostly associated with breastfeeding. You can initiate this reflex by touching the corner of your baby’s mouth or brushing it with a nipple. You’ll observe that your baby’s head will turn in that direction.

When your baby is hungry, they may signal to you by rubbing their face on your body, possibly trying to find your nipple to latch on. This behavior is also linked to the rooting reflex.

Additionally, if your baby is tired, they might be seeking a comfortable place to rest their head. As you’re probably aware, a baby’s first close connection is with its mother, so your baby may be trying to find comfort in your arms while feeling sleepy or tired.

Scratch Marks Resulting From Aggressively Rubbing Of Face By Your Baby And How To Take Care Of It

When it comes to actions such as aggressively rubbing the face, things can escalate quickly. Your baby’s tiny nails can cause them to scratch their face while aggressively rubbing it.

This results in small red scratch marks on your baby’s smooth face. 

Now, the question is, what do you do when you see these scratch marks? Well, there’s a lot to be done because you don’t want the scratch marks to be regular occurrences on your baby’s face.

Here are some solutions to avoiding scratch marks:

1. Keep your baby’s nails short and tidy

Long nails will do your baby no good. You must cut your baby’s nails from time to time so they don’t hurt themselves. There are scissors specially manufactured for cutting baby’s nails. You can purchase one and use it to trim your baby’s nails. 

2. Cover your baby’s hands with socks or mittens

To avoid contact with your baby’s hands with their face, you can adopt an old method, which involves using socks or mittens to cover their hands. There are mittens specially designed for babies. This way, their hands or fingers will not be able to make contact with the face. This also reduces the spread of germs from your baby’s hands to their face. This will also help to keep their hands warm. 

3. Try the ancient art of swaddling

You may wish to try this method of wrapping your baby in a large piece of clothing with their arms all tucked in like a Christmas present. This will prevent your baby from reaching for their face. 

If the scratch bleeds, you may wish to take the following steps:

• Calm your baby because they may be feeling pain from opening up some skin

• Clean the affected area gently with a clean cloth and warm water 

• Apply an ointment or antiseptic cream

What If My Baby’s Eyes Swell From Aggressively Rubbing Their Face?

It is important to note that continuous rubbing of the face can lead to swelling in different parts of the face, particularly around the eyes and ears. This can result in red patches around the eyes or other areas.

If you notice any signs of swelling or redness in your baby’s face, it is best to consult a pediatrician immediately. They will be able to diagnose the issue and provide appropriate medication to relieve the swelling and treat any underlying infection.

In the meantime, you can apply a gentle ice pack to the affected area to help reduce the swelling. Additionally, to prevent further complications, you may consider covering your baby’s hands with mittens or socks to discourage them from rubbing their eyes.

It is important to prioritize your baby’s health and well-being, so always seek professional medical advice when needed.

How Do I Stop My Baby From Aggressively Rubbing Their Face?

There are several steps to take to stop your baby from aggressively rubbing their face. Before I outline some methods you can employ, the first thing you should do is to identify why your baby is aggressively rubbing their face. This will save you a lot of time and stress in dealing with the situation.

Here are steps you can take to stop your baby from aggressively rubbing their face:

1. Review your feeding schedule

If it is due to hunger, you may have to devise a more adequate feeding timetable to meet your baby’s needs. It may be that your baby needs more food and that their appetite has doubled so they get hungrier than before.

To avoid aggressive facial rubbing, you must devise a better means of satisfying your baby.

2. Examine the products you use in caring for your baby

It may be that a certain product you’re using for your baby’s care doesn’t go with their skin, resulting in a reaction such as aggressively rubbing the face.

Examine the soap, shampoo, lotion, and other skin products you may be using for your baby to ensure that they do not contain certain ingredients your baby may react to negatively.

3. Seek treatment for ear and eye infections

If you’ve observed that your baby specifically rubs their eyes or ears, it is advisable to seek medical attention. Consult your baby’s pediatrician and tell them about your observations.

If your baby has an ear or eye infection, the pediatrician will be sure to recommend appropriate treatment options and medication for your baby.

4. Treat skin-related issues

If your baby has skin-related issues such as eczema or they just have unusually dry itchy skin, you can seek help from your healthcare provider so they can prescribe appropriate ointments and/or medication to help your baby feel better (concerning the eczema). 

As regards dry skin, you can buy baby-friendly oil that would help your baby’s skin retain moisture for longer hours. 

5. Provide comfort for teething

If your little one is teething, then you can always buy them teethers that would reduce the discomfort and ease the pain of teething. If there’s a teether, it’ll be an alternative and a distraction so your baby won’t have to aggressively rub their face.

6. Observe nap times always

If your baby is aggressively rubbing their face, it may be that they are not getting enough sleep. Many mothers often complain that their babies rub their faces aggressively at night. This is because these babies do not get enough sleep.

If your baby isn’t getting enough sleep, you may observe aggressive facial rubbing. What you can do is clear away distractions or sounds that may serve as hindrances to your baby’s quality time of rest.

It will ensure that your baby has a sufficient and satisfying rest.

7. Maintain a clean environment for your baby

Your environment matters a lot concerning your baby. If your immediate environment consists of a lot of dust, sand, or pollen, then you have to be extra careful in maintaining cleanliness because of your baby.

You do not want these things irritating them or getting into the eyes. 

Ensure that you vacuum regularly and clean the surroundings of your home.

Final Thoughts

Dear mom, it’s important to always be vigilant and observant when it comes to your baby’s behavior. If you notice that your baby is frequently rubbing their face, take note and act accordingly with the information I’ve provided.

Try to identify any potential irritants in your surroundings, and ensure your baby’s face is always moisturized. If your baby is experiencing skin-related issues, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention from a doctor.

Remember that as a mom, you are the primary caregiver for your baby and it’s crucial to always prioritize their well-being. By being attentive and proactive, you can ensure your baby stays healthy and happy.