Why Does My Baby Keep Rubbing Their Face Into The Mattress?
If you've ever watched your baby rub their little face into the crib mattress, a blanket, or even your chest while sleeping, you're not alone. This is a very common behavior in infants that can seem strange but is usually harmless. Babies do this for several reasons—most of which are completely normal. Let's consider why your baby keeps rubbing their face into the mattress and what to do about it!
1. Your Baby is Self-Soothing
One of the main reasons babies rub their faces into things like the mattress or into their parent’s chest is because it's a self-soothing mechanism. The repetitive back-and-forth motion across a soft surface like a mattress or your chest releases endorphins that help relax and calm your little one. It's their natural way to self-soothe and feel comforted, similar to thumb-sucking.
This instinctive behavior likely starts in the womb, where babies can be observed rubbing against the uterine wall. After birth, you may notice your baby rubbing their face more during particular times such as when they are overtired, overstimulated, or going through a sleep regression.
Face rubbing is a baby’s attempt at finding comfort and working through fussy moments. The rhythmic motion, gentle pressure on their cheeks, and the softness of the surface soothe your baby's nerves and lull them into a calmer state.
2. Your Baby is Trying to Breastfeed
Have you noticed your newborn rubbing their cheek against your chest when you hold them upright? This is likely the rooting reflex at work.
The rooting reflex is an instinctive behavior that helps babies locate the breast of their mother when it’s time to feed. When the corner of a baby’s mouth is stroked or happens to touch a skin-smooth surface, this reflex can be triggered. So if you wonder, “Why does my baby rub her face on me while sleeping?” it could be because of the rooting reflex.
Before babies can coordinate their way to their mom’s breast using sight, this sensory instinct helps babies:
Turn their head in both directions
Make sucking motions
Try to latch on and feed
Therefore, when a baby runs their face back and forth on a blanket or mattress—especially if their mouth is open—it's their way of signaling, "I'm hungry!" before they can communicate it directly.
Babies are born with the rooting reflex. It can persist for the first 3-4 months. During this time, they rely heavily on this reflex to guide them to nurse.
You'll likely notice increased face rubbing and rooting right before feedings when your baby is getting hungry and trying to breastfeed or take a bottle.
3. Your Baby is Teething
Teething can be an uncomfortable experience for babies! It causes swollen gums, a sore mouth, and general discomfort. Teething can lead your baby to seek relief by rubbing their face on surfaces like mattresses or blankets. The gentle pressure and massage help counter the aching in their gums and jaw as new teeth emerge.
Teething typically begins around 6 months old, though some babies start earlier or later. The first teeth to appear are usually the two bottom front teeth (central incisors), followed by the two top front teeth.
You may notice an increase in face rubbing during these common teething periods:
6-10 months: Bottom and top front teeth emerge
10-14 months: Top and bottom lateral incisors come in
16-22 months: First molars appear
25-33 months: Canine (eye) teeth and second molars erupt
To help soothe your teething baby, offer them a safe, cold teething toy that can massage their gums. The pressure and cold can provide much-needed relief. Remember to monitor for excessive drooling or discomfort that disrupts sleep, as that may require medication recommended by your pediatrician.
4. Your Baby Has Dry Skin or Eczema
If your baby seems to be constantly rubbing their face on the mattress or other surfaces, it could be a sign of dry, itchy skin or an eczema flare-up. The texture of the mattress may provide temporary relief from skin irritation.
Signs of dry skin or eczema in babies include:
Red, rough patches
Flaky or peeling skin
Excessive scratching or rubbing
You can help your baby find relief from skin irritation with the help of your pediatrician. In the meantime, you can:
Use gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers
Keep their nails trimmed to prevent scratching
Give them a lukewarm bath and moisturize after
Use a humidifier in their room
If you notice excessive face rubbing that causes rawness or broken skin, this could lead to further irritation or infection. Notify your baby’s doctor if this happens.
5. Your Baby is Exploring Different Textures
In some cases, your baby may simply be rubbing their face into something because it feels pleasant or interesting to them. The softness of the mattress or the gentle texture can be stimulating in a way they enjoy.
Babies are constantly exploring their senses and the world around them. Rubbing their face allows them to experience new tactile sensations through their cheeks and skin.
As long as your little one isn't rubbing their skin so vigorously that they are harming or irritating themselves, a bit of face rubbing is harmless. It's simply their way of indulging in a soothing or informative experience. If the face rubbing doesn't seem excessive and your baby appears content, you can let them be.
Understanding Your Baby’s Behaviors Through Development
While it may look strange, face rubbing is very normal behavior for babies as they self-soothe, relieve teething pain, express a need for sleep, or simply enjoy the sensations. As long as it doesn't cause excessive discomfort or harm, there's no need to worry. However, you should monitor your little one and consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns.
To keep track of your baby’s behaviors as they learn and grow, use the Baby Connect app—a baby monitoring app created for busy parents. In the app, you can conveniently track your baby's feeding schedule, diaper changes, and sleep cycles, and even jot down notes for things you want to remember. Get started with the benefits of Baby Connect today by starting a free trial.
