Baby rubbing head: Why is my baby rubbing ear and side of head?
Why is my baby rubbing ear and side of head?
If you’ve ever noticed your baby rubbing her ear or the side of her head, you may have wondered what the heck is going on? Is she just scratching an itch, or could there be something else more serious?
Let’s take a closer look at some of the possible reasons why your baby might be rubbing or pulling their ear:
- If your baby is rubbing their ear, but does not appear to be in pain or discomfort it’s likely she is trying to soothe herself. Babies love routines and familiar things (including their own body parts), so rubbing her ear or head might be a way for her to self-soothe and feel comforted. This can be especially true if he’s tired or feeling overwhelmed. If you think this might be the case, try offering him a pacifier or toy to help her calm down.
- If your baby is also crying or appears in pain this could be due to an ear infection, teething pain, or even a cold. If you think this might be the case, check for other signs of pain such as crying, fussiness, or difficulty sleeping.
If you’re unsure, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and take your baby to see her pediatrician.
- Lastly it might be a sign that she is overtired or that their ears are blocked with ear wax. If it’s tiredness their ear pulling or ear grabbing is often accompanied by frequent yawning or clinginess.
What does an ear infection look like?
Ear infections are common in babies and young children, and can sometimes be the culprit behind why your baby is rubbing their ear. Ear infections happen when there is fluid in the middle ear (the space behind the eardrum), and can cause pain, fever, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. If you think your baby might have an ear infection, you have a couple options:
- You can take your child to a pediatrician in-person.
- You can use a home otoscope (ear scope) to evaluate your child’s ear and see if there is any redness or bulging of the eardrum.
If you are a Blueberry member you can simply use the otoscope and Blueberry app to take a video of your child’s ear and our pediatricians will be able to quickly share back whether you baby has an ear infection, as well as next steps.
We’ll also ask you questions around your child’s symptoms such as ear pulling, ear tugging, past history of ear infections, and whether there is any fluid or wax buildup.
Why are my child’s ears so waxy?
Ear wax is a natural substance produced by the body to protect the ear from dirt, dust, and other potential irritants. While a small amount of ear wax is normal, too much can build up and cause problems such as hearing loss, ear pain, and itchiness. If you notice an excessive build up, you may need to take your child to a pediatrician who can remove it.
Do babies rub ears when teething?
The simple answer is, yes! It’s not uncommon for babies to rub their ears when they are teething. This is because as the teeth start to come in, there can be pressure and pain in the gums and jaw which can radiate to the ears. If you think your baby might be teething, in addition to ear rubbing, you might also notice other signs such as increased drooling, biting or gnawing on objects, and irritability.
If you’re curious about how evaluate teething vs an ear infection you can find a detailed breakdown in our article “Baby Ear Infection vs Teething – Everything You Need To Know!”.
Should I be worried about a baby pulling on ear?
If you’ve ever noticed your baby rubbing their ear and side of head, ear tugging, or ear pulling you are not alone. It’s actually a pretty common thing for babies to do. While there are a few different possible explanations, the most likely ones are that she’s either trying to relieve some pain or discomfort, or that she’s trying to soothe herself. If your baby is crying, running a fever, or seems to be experiencing ear pain, it’s always best to consult with your child’s pediatrician.
Have questions about ear tugging, ear pulling, or a possible ear infection? You can contact a Blueberry pediatrician 24/7, day or night! The best part? An entire year of Blueberry membership costs less than the typical copay of a single urgent care visit!
My Baby Scratches Their Head a Lot: Should I Be Concerned?
- It’s normal for babies to scratch their heads.
It’s a natural reflex and a signal that an area on their body needs attention. - It’s never too early to start a skin care regimen for your baby. Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers for your baby’s skin.
- Save baby mittens for sleep time. Your little one needs free hands to explore and develop his sensory system.
- If your baby’s constant scratching causes skin irritation to spread, consult his pediatrician.
It’s a natural reflex and a signal that an area on their body needs attention. Your baby’s perfect head is covered in scratch marks. Maybe scratching his head has become a habit. If this sounds familiar, you may be doing a bit of head-scratching of your own trying to figure out why your baby scratches his head.
In many young babies, actual scratches on the head and face are likely accidental and due to uncontrolled hand movements. These types of scratches are generally not a big concern beyond making sure they don’t get infected. But if it seems like your baby is deliberately scratching because they’re itchy then you’ll want to address the problem.
Common reasons for babies to scratch include overwashing, dryness, and allergies. Another reason might be eczema. If you notice constant scratching, keep a record of it. You may want to include information about your baby’s diet, clothing material, detergent brand, and anything else you put on their skin.
Keep in mind that your baby’s skin is an amazing organ. It constantly sheds, renews, and makes up the beautiful little human that’s before you. His built-in reflex that tells him to scratch an itch is also a thing to appreciate. Think of it as a method of communication to you—his body needs attention somewhere.
With a bit of close observation, recordkeeping, and patience, your baby’s scratching can be addressed and remedied.
Is It Normal for a Baby to Scratch Their Head?
When there’s an itch, can you resist scratching it? Babies are no different. It’s normal for babies to scratch their heads.
Babies endure a multitude of skin issues.
Their tender skin constantly sheds and adjusts to elements outside the womb.
Some common culprits that cause babies to scratch their head include:
- Too-frequent bathing. Your well-intentioned attempt to keep your baby squeaky clean with frequent baths may be removing the natural oils from his skin and causing dryness.
- Harsh chemicals in baby shampoo. If your baby has sensitive skin, these can also lead to an itchy scalp.
- Dryness. Baby skin is susceptible to moisture loss, which can cause dryness. Dryness can be uncomfortable and itchy for your baby.
- Eczema. The onset of eczema usually occurs before the age of one. Eczema most commonly appears in babies as a dry, scaly rash on the cheeks, trunk, scalp, hands, or feet.
- Cradle Cap. Cradle cap is a rash that can form on the scalp and face. It’s identified by greasy, scaly patches and tends to disappear between 6 months and one year of age. Keep in mind, however, that cradle cap is not usually itchy, so it’s unlikely to be a culprit for scratching.
- Allergies. If your baby is allergic to a type of food or material, skin irritation may appear on his head.
Keep in mind, however, that cradle cap is not usually itchy, so it’s unlikely to be a culprit for scratching.Your Baby Scratches the Back of Their Head
If you notice your baby scratching the back of his head, he may just be tending to an itch that’s causing him discomfort. Your baby may also be tired and indicating that it’s time for a nap. Scratching the back of his head can serve as a self-soothing method.
Your Baby Scratches Their Face
A newborn baby’s startle reflex is meant to protect him by quickly throwing out his arms and legs. With very little control of his hands, your baby may accidentally scratch himself. The skin on your baby’s face, unfortunately, might take the brunt of it.
Additionally, as your baby embarks on some face exploration, he is engaged in healthy development behavior.
Just bear in mind that he may conclude his exploration with an accidental scratch on his face.
Your Baby Scratches Their Head at Night
Babies with eczema tend to scratch more often at night. This is likely because a drop in body temperature at night can cause skin to become itchier. If your baby scratches his head at night, it’s likely his scratching disturbs much-needed sleep—for everyone.
Here are some tips for your baby to scratch less and get a good night’s rest:
- Treat your baby to a soothing bath that includes skin-friendly oatmeal and calendula. Avoid bubble products as they can irritate the skin.
- Pat your baby’s skin dry with a soft towel.
- Moisturize your baby with a fragrance-free cream as soon as he’s out of the water to lock in moisture.
- Dress your baby in comfortable pajamas made from 100% cotton or linen. Use hypoallergenic blankets and sheets for his bed. Avoid materials like polyester and wool, which can cause itchy skin.
- Use a humidifier if the weather is dry.
- Keep your baby’s room at a comfortable, cool temperature. Sweat may cause itchiness, too.
- Baby nails are notorious for being razor-sharp. Using an emery board, file your baby’s nails—including those sharp corners.
- If your baby’s hands make their way to his little head while he’s asleep, it’s less likely he’ll wake up or hurt himself by scratching his head with sharp nails.
- Place scratch mittens over your baby’s hands. Mittens may not be necessary, though, if you keep your baby’s nails trimmed and filed.
Your Baby Scratches Their Head When Upset
Besides crying and turning red, babies have other devices to show that they’re upset. Some babies scratch their head to demonstrate unhappiness.
Your baby might have jerky movements when he’s upset, increasing the likeliness that he’ll scratch his head more furiously. This may cause worry as your baby navigates the often tricky emotional development.
Stress and anxiety trigger itching, making your child’s emotions and physical discomfort even more upsetting.
Remain patient and gently guide your baby’s hands away from his head. Remove your baby from as much stimulation as possible by going to a quiet room where he can calm down. Keep track of events and activities that tend to upset him and avoid those.
Your Baby is Rubbing Their Head
Some babies rub their heads to self-soothe. If your baby is approaching naptime, he might scratch his head due to tiredness. Overstimulation may also cause your baby to rub his head.
Head rubbing might be accompanied by tugging at his ears and drooling if your little one is starting to get new teeth.
How Can I Stop My Baby from Scratching Their Head?
Here are some ways to prevent your baby from scratching his head:
- Retain moisture in your baby’s skin by using a fragrance-free moisturizing cream. Apply generously throughout the day. Avoid lotions as they tend to contain alcohol.
- Keep his nails trimmed and filed.
- Use mild soap and detergents.
- Gently brush your baby’s hair to remove dry flakes.
Avoid lotions as they tend to contain alcohol.When Should You See a Doctor?
Keeping your baby’s skin moisturized and using over-the-counter treatments may keep itching at bay. If your baby’s scratching persists, worsens, or other symptoms appear, consult with their doctor.
Here are other signs you may need to visit the doctor:
- There is no improvement with over-the-counter treatments.
- Prescribed medication stops working.
- Your baby develops a rash, or skin starts to ooze, bleed, develops sores or blisters, or looks swollen—it might be infected.
- There are flat red spots on the skin.
- Your baby scratches multiple areas.
- A fever accompanies scratching.
- If your baby seems intensely uncomfortable or is unable to stop scratching
- If anyone in the household is known to be exposed to or diagnosed with scabies, lice, chickenpox, herpes simplex (cold sores), or other skin infections.
FAQs
What are the symptoms of eczema?
Your baby may have eczema if you see these signs:
- Circular red patches
- Dry, scaly skin
- Skin appears thick and leathery
- Skin is red and itchy
- When scratched, the area oozes
- On infants, patches are prominent on cheeks, forehead, and scalp
How do you treat a scratch on your baby’s face?
Small scratches heal quickly (within a matter of days) and usually don’t require bandages. If the scratch is deep, you can treat the scratch with these steps:
- Clean the scratch gently but thoroughly. Use a wipe or a cloth instead of a cotton ball—the fluff can stick to the wound.
- Pat the area dry.
- Apply a moisturizer or antiseptic cream.
- If you use a bandage, check it often. Be sure it’s not loose or grubby. Avoid using bandages at night unless the area is inaccessible to your baby. For example, a bandaid under zip-up jammies is okay; a bandaid on their finger or face is not because it can come off and pose a choking hazard.
What if my baby has a cold sore?
Herpes simplex (cold sores) can be really dangerous for babies, especially those under 6 months. These blisters (usually accompanied by fever) can be itchy, too, and they require evaluation by a pediatrician ASAP. To help prevent cold sores, caution caregivers (and anyone else!) not to kiss your baby if that person has a cold sore.
The information WonderBaby provides is not intended to be, and does not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. Always consult with a qualified medical professional about your specific circumstances.
Child upside down rubbing against the floor
Child upside down …
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Relcome
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He has worms
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Where are the worms? In your head?? He has lice!!!
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granny lidusya
will have a headache, will roar.
if calm, then just the world is studying
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Guest
mine did this often, he could even hit his head. They took him to the doctors and examined him. They didn’t find anything. Grown up – everything went by itself. By the way, this is not a rare case.
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9000 #18 9000
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I’ll put my finger in my nose and twist it .
. Well, these are children. he likes his new position. my son is 1.7, he also gets up with his feet and rests his head on the floor. I don’t see anything wrong.
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Guest
I have a husband, he is 42 years old, so he is exactly like your child does when he is drunk in the smoke!!
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4, thank you very much. I think it is.
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people
people do not write any ***. Any normal mother should worry, as they wrote above, for any fart … Your baby is normal, if you lie down in this position, try to sleep on your stomach (accordingly, the pillow for your baby should be flat, no more than 1 cm thick) In general, many children love this play with pillows and from 4 and from 6, yes from any number of months.
The child is looking for a comfortable position for himself. If you only knew what miracles of tightrope walking and gut-pepper my child shows … #18
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222 Moms, tell me what this behavior at 4 months means. Like and not teeth and not colic. It burrows into the pillow strongly, bending in half at the same time. I searched the Internet, I didn’t find anything.
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Woman.
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No, this Panichersha
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No, this is not a normal mother, but Kvosha and Paniceresh
9000 #30 9000 9000
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Tatyana
If a child is torn about something either with his head, this means either with his head, this means either.
that his body lacks D 3, such behavior shows that the child’s nervous system has not fully returned to normal. Contact your doctor, maybe he will advise you to take a course of taking aquadetrim. It just happened to my kid too. Everything went away after treatment0003
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Guest
How many days and how many drops did Aquadetrin give?
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Guest
Hints that at 4 months the child does not need a pillow yet…
Author, are you from the remote taiga?
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***** completely crazy. Each fart of his backbiter is discussed. In Kashchenko, all the ovules must be shove.
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