If you are wondering why does my baby rub her face on me, then you are not alone. Babies are often self-soothers when they are not feeling well. They will rub their faces on their chests and use sensory-seeking behaviors like sucking their thumbs and looking at light sources to calm themselves. However, if your baby is doing this more frequently than usual, then there may be a medical reason for it.
Why Does My Baby Rub Her Face on Me, Here are the four main causes of the problem for you;
- The Rooting Reflex
- Signal For Sleep
- General Itchiness
- Getting Close To Mom’s Smell
Reflexes control many of a baby’s movements
Newborns have reflexes that control the movements of many parts of their body. The purpose of these reflexes is to help the baby survive. In addition, they are necessary for learning, communication, and emotional well-being.
There are several different reflexes, including the grasping, stepping, and swallowing reflexes. The grasping and stepping reflexes are important for feeding. The sucking reflex is also essential. In addition, the swallowing reflex helps maintain the baby’s nervous system.
The newborn’s rooting reflex is another primitive reflex. It is an involuntary movement that helps the baby turn his head to one side. It is important for feeding, as it helps the baby find the nipple.
The Moro reflex is an involuntary movement that helps protect the baby from sudden motions. The baby extends his arms and legs when he is startled. He might yell or cry. His toes will fan out, and his big toe will move up.
The baby’s tonic neck (“fencer” position) is also a reflex. When placed on their back, babies will stretch their arms out. This reflex begins to disappear around four to five months of age.
The Babinski reflex is another baby reflex. When the toes are stroked, the infant will curl up the toes.
Sensory-seeking behaviors are a way to self-soothe when babies are feeling out of sorts
Sensory-seeking behavior in childhood refers to a child’s tendency to seek out sensory experiences. It may involve activities that require a lot of motion, proprioception, vestibular input, or the sensations of sound.
Children who suffer from sensory-seeking tendencies have a harder time focusing on tasks and tend to be more active. They also may struggle to maintain their posture and stability. They may have poor awareness of their own body movement, and may not notice dangers around them. During this time, they can engage in unhealthy behaviors to self soothe.
One of the best ways to help your child deal with sensory-seeking is by developing a good sensory diet. This can include things like a variety of powerful activities, as well as simple things like eating a balanced diet, playing with toys, and spending time outdoors.
While you are designing a good diet, consider how much activity your child needs. If he or she is a tactile seeker, try finger painting or sculpting with kid friendly clay. If he or she is a visual seeker, you can make an exercise ball that they can bounce on, or fill a bin with textured objects to soothe them.
Lastly, if your child is a thrill seeker, you may want to try taking him or her to an extreme sport or park. Getting on a roller coaster or trampoline can give them a rush, but these kinds of experiences can lead to bad behavior.
Reflux causes babies to rub their faces on their chest
Acid reflux is a common condition in adults, and it can occur in babies. Acid reflux is caused by a number of things. One reason is when a baby’s stomach isn’t properly empty after feeding. Another is overeating.
If a baby is crying, spitting up, or has difficulty sleeping, it’s possible they have reflux. These are symptoms that aren’t normal, and can lead to serious medical conditions. A doctor can diagnose a baby’s reflux and determine if they need to be treated.
In the first few months of life, reflux affects almost half of all infants. Silent reflux occurs in about a quarter of infants, while 50% spit up. These infants don’t have true vomiting, and they spit up only when they’re upset.
Symptoms of GER or GERD vary among infants, and they can include crying, sour taste in the mouth, chest pain, and a burning sensation. Generally, the problem gets better as the muscles in the esophagus and stomach develop. If the problem is severe, a child may need an endoscopy to see if the esophagus is blocked or damaged.
If a baby’s reflux persists, the parent should consult a doctor. They may prescribe medications to stop acid production or speed up the passage of food through the stomach.
