Baby rubbing face on chest after feeding

Newborns are adorable. The way they wrap tiny hands around your finger, plus their cheeky cries make every moment beautiful. However, babies can sometimes do weird things that can be worrisome. For a new mom, any unusual thing could be depressing.

During one of my antenatal visits, a young woman burst into the room I was being served in. She looked panicky as she shared with the doctor about her baby rubbing face on shoulder. According to the lady –Tami – the little one rubs her face so rigorously on her shoulder almost burrowing into her clothes. I could read the worry on her face as she sought medical advice.

Is this rubbing a cause for alarm? Are you also silently wondering about your baby aggressively rubbing face into shoulder? Relax.

In this article let’s explore why babies rub their face on a mother’s shoulder and how you can work on the issue.

Babies communicate using reactions. In fact, according to Healthy WA, Your baby will start to communicate with signals when they’re tired and hungry, or awake and alert, from birth. You may wonder, why the baby is rubbing face on shoulder.

There are various reasons your baby might rub face on shoulder such as rooting reflex signalling hunger, serious tiredness or sleepiness, itchiness on the nose and desire to feel their mum’s natural smell. Naturally, they outgrow this habit soon the motor skills and body coordination is complete – often by the 6th-12th month.

9 Possible Reasons Why a Baby Rubs Face on Shoulder

Motherhood is intriguing. Sometimes your little one may startle you with his fake coughs, and once you rush to check, you find him smiling cunningly. He does that for attention.

If you note a new habit where baby rubs his face on your shoulder, the following are possible reasons why:

1. Rooting reflex

This refers to an involuntary, spontaneous reflex reaction from the baby as to say, “I am starving.” When your munchkin is hungry she may rub her face on your shoulder as a way of trying to locate the nipple for feeding. 

The rooting reflex starts from birth and lasts up to 4-6months.  From this age, most motor reflexes are voluntary. Other forms of rooting reflexes to signal hunger in babies include head swinging and banging face against your chest/shoulder. Rooting reflexes, especially baby rubbing face on shoulder, is a newborn’s non-verbal sign that they want to feed.

2. Itchiness, irritation on the face

If the baby keeps rubbing face on shoulder, then you also observe some rashes, your little one could be feeling scratchy. The irritation may be from an allergic reaction.  Since babies below one year don’t have fully-developed motor behavior, they tend to rub the itchy face on your chest/shoulder as a way of soothing themselves.

3. Discomfort or snot on the nose

If your baby has a congested or snotty nose, it may rub its face on you when trying to wipe the mucus.  Medical news today explains the likelihood of nasal congestion in babies as being higher than in older children due to their small, immature nasal passages and airways.

While your little one hates the feeling of mucus in their noses, they don’t know how to wipe it.  You’ll have to act like the baby’s snot cleaning pad.

4. Fatigue/ tiredness/ sleepiness

Some babies still rub their face against your shoulder even after feeding. It may be a signal that the little one is full, tired and ready for bed. Adults and older children yawn, stretch or rub their eyes as a sign of sleepiness. On the other hand, babies attempt to soothe themselves to sleep by face-rubbing. If your baby rolls her head from side to side while lying in their cot, it’s a self-soothing method too. Don’t let it alarm you.

5. Your little one desires to feel your natural smell

Newborns and infants use the natural body scent of their mothers for instinctive identification. If you’re wondering, “why does my baby rub his face on my shoulders?’ Calm down, he means no harm.

Your munchkin needs to feel more of your natural smell, that’s why they at times burrow deeper into your shoulder. While babies start identifying you before they’re born, they seek to know you more using your unique body smell after birth.

6. The baby needs to burp (pass gas)

Some babies have difficulty passing gas. If yours does the face rubbing mostly after feeding, she may be having trapped gas causing restlessness as she struggles to burp.

When she rubs her face on your chest or shoulder, she could be wantingto let some gas o ut. After burping she’ll calm down and may even fall to sleep right away.

7. The baby could be upset

Children are human beings too and can feel sad, angry, upset or happy. Since they don’t know how to express their feelings, they may appear fussy. In some cases, the baby keeps rubbing face on shoulder occasionally when upset. Others bang their tiny heads on the mattress or pillow to say, “Mom, I’m agitated.”

8. Your little one may be ready for teething

If you rule all the above reasons concerning baby rubbing face on shoulder, then your munchkin could be getting ready for teething. In the event you observe other symptoms such as ear pulling and drooling, in addition to face rubbing, your baby may become an early teether –around 3-6months. Consult your pediatrician for further diagnosis and advice.

9. Eczema

Atopic eczema (facial eczema) in children makes the skin very itchy. In an attempt at soothing their skin, your baby rubs her face on your chest or shoulders. If you note dry, scaly patches on your baby’s face, urgently talk to your doctor.

Is it Normal For a Baby to Keep Rubbing Face on My Shoulder?

Yes.  A baby’s face rubbing is a signal that newborns use to communicate. I know it can be rigorous and alarming, but the good news is;  it’s a temporary phase that will pass as she grows up. Always seek medical advice when in doubt.

What Do I Do if My Baby Keeps Rubbing Face on Shoulder?

While it’s a passing phase, I agree the face rubbing and head grinding could be disturbing.   First,  try to identify the triggering factor for you to find the solution.

Is it hunger, fatigue, eczema or a congested nose?

I’ve compiled helpful tips to help you deal with a baby rubbing thier face on shoulder.

1. Establish a feeding routine based on your baby’s feeding intervals

It’s advisable to learn about your little one first. Find out how often she feeds and don’t wait for her to get to the point of a meltdown. If she’s breastfeeding, nurse her ahead of time.  The same case applies to bottle-fed babies.

2. Determine her sleeping pattern

Since tiredness and sleepiness often make baby rub face on shoulder, plan for her bedtime early. Whether she naps right after feeding or playing, try to soothe her to sleep at the right time before she gets fussy and agitated. Gently rock her to sleep.

3. Constantly clean the nose and watch out for nasal blockage

Accumulation of mucus in your little one’s nose could cause itchiness and irritation leading to face rubbing. Make it a habit to gently clear her nose of any snot. For babies having nasal congestion due to cold allergies, you can use a snot sucker (suction bulbs), from drug stores to offer relief. However, the baby’s nose is delicate.  Seek a doctor’s advice if there’s a need for deeper cleaning.

4. Seek treatment for health conditions such as eczema, allergies and reflux

Some of the reasons why baby rubs face on shoulder could be medical. If you notice signs of eczema of the face including dry, scaly and itchy skin, visit your pediatrician for treatment. 

Some allergies cause skin irritation too.

Reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease) makes the baby restless and may rub her face against the mattress, chest or shoulder. Consult your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

5. If your baby has problems burping,  try home remedies to make it easy

I know some babies don’t pass gas easily after feeding –no matter the position.  Nevertheless, don’t give up. Try the following:

• Latch in an upright position
• For bottle-fed babies, try anti-gas nipples and feeding bottles
• Do baby leg bicycles- lie the munchkin down and cycle their legs
• Do rub-downs-this is a gentle body massage starting with her tummy. Watch her reaction and stop if she cries instead of relaxing.

Wrapping Up

Motherhood is a journey full of discoveries. Whether you’re a new or experienced mother, there’s always a fresh lesson to learn.  Babies are unpredictable.  One time they are calm, and the next moment they make you worried about baby rubbing face on shoulder.

Overall, the reaction is a way of the baby telling you they are hungry, tired, have an itchy nose or feel some irritation on their face due to allergies and eczema.

The rule of thumb is to find out what triggers the face-rubbing in your baby for you to address it  effectively and accordingly. I’d encourage you to take heart as it will soon pass. If you’re deeply concerned about it, contact your pediatrician.

More to Read:

• Can You Microwave Breast Milk?
• How Long Is Reheated Breast milk Good For?
• Baby Pushing Bottle Away But Still Hungry
• How To Make Your Baby Stop Grinding Teeth