1. Infant scratching face - causes
A newborn baby can easily get scratches on their face – but why do infants scratch in the first place?
There are three reasons your infant might end up scratching their face. These may include:
Lack of control
We’re sure you’ve noticed, but babies can be clumsy. Their arms often flail around, and they don’t yet have full control of their hands, so it’s easy for them to hit themselves in the face.
You might have also spotted them getting suddenly startled when you lay them down. This is called the Moro Reflex (or ‘startle reflex’) – it’s perfectly normal and something healthy babies display from birth. You’ll notice their arms throw out and their fingers splay when the Moro Reflex kicks in.
Therefore, if one of their nails has a sharp corner, it’s easy for a newborn to nick their face with scratches.
Skin irritation
Another aspect of newborn life is dry, flaky, or peeling skin. Although it can initially look alarming, it’s completely natural. A substance is present on your baby’s skin at birth - the vernix. It forms a protective layer against the amniotic fluid in the womb. So when the vernix is gone, you’ll notice their skin peels for up to around three weeks.
Newborn skin is naturally sensitive, but other irritations might prompt an infant to start scratching their face and body. These can include baby eczema and psoriasis.
Sharp nails
You’ll quickly realize your newborn’s nails grow at a staggering rate, and they can become quite sharp. That’s why newborn face scratches often appear seemingly out of nowhere. This quick growth rate, married together with itchy, flaking skin, and those unpredictable reflexes can result in your infant scratching their face.
“I do worry whether old ladies on the bus will judge me if my daughter has a wolverine scratch across her cheek,” says dad, Luke. “You feel like blurting out ‘It wasn't me! I watch her constantly!’ even though she looks like she's been in a scrappy street fight.”
Of course, parents like Luke shouldn’t feel ashamed. And hopefully, your own mind is at rest now you know potentially why your baby is scratching their face.
2. Infant scratching face - prevention
We understand how hard it can be to keep on top of caring for your newborn – but there are a few ways to prevent your infant from scratching their face.
Keep nails trimmed
“Cutting a baby’s fingernails is easy,” said no parent ever! Instead, it’s nerve-wracking and delicate work, with them being so small. But if your baby scratches their face often, keeping their fingernails smooth and short can help.
Trimming a baby’s nails involves a steady hand, patience, and the hope that your baby doesn’t move – so it’s not a job to be rushed.
Often, many parents find a team effort works – one holds the baby still carefully while the other snips, though others swear by doing it at night or after bathing their baby. Another quick tip is to try and clip the nails while your baby sleeps in their stroller. That way, they stay still, and you have daylight to work with.
The top tips to cut your baby’s nails are:
Use specific baby scissors or clippers as they’re easier to use and size-appropriate.
For each snip, hold the finger you’re focusing on between your forefinger and thumb.
Push the fingertip away from the nail gently before cutting to avoid clipping skin.
If you are especially worried about trimming your baby’s nails, you may wish to seek professional advice.
Buy scratch mittens
If your baby is frequently scratching themselves (at night if they have eczema, for instance) look into purchasing some scratch mittens to keep their nails covered up. These can be effective to ensure your newborn doesn’t wake up with scratches on their face. They can also keep those precious little hands warm overnight – a two-for-one bonus.
Keep baby skin hydrated
When your infant is scratching their face due to it being itchy, there may be a few things you can do to prevent it.
These include:
Making bathtime shorter (around five minutes) to retain the skin’s natural oils.
Ensuring bath water isn’t too hot – keep it lukewarm.
Using fragrance-free bath products and gentle sensitive skin-specific laundry detergent.
Using hypoallergenic moisturizer or ointment once or twice a day, depending on how dry the skin is.
Ensuring the baby remains hydrated.
Protecting their skin from direct sunlight and cold or wind, depending on the weather.
3. Newborn face scratch treatment
Treating newborn face scratches is usually straightforward – just remember that newborn skin is thin and can be damaged easily, so try not to worry.
As upsetting as it is to see even a trace of blood on our baby’s face, most small cuts and grazes can usually be treated at home .
Clean the area, but avoid using cotton wool, as the fluff can get stuck in the wound. WaterWipes are a good alternative as they’re made from 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract and are as soft as cotton wool.
If it’s a small newborn face scratch, treatment should be as straightforward as that, and the cut should heal in a few days. If you are concerned that it’s not healing, however please do seek medical advice.
Similarly, if you accidentally nip a finger while trimming their nails, try not to panic. Just apply a clean baby wipe on the cut and apply a little pressure – the bleeding should soon stop.
If you’d like to be extra cautious, you may wish to apply an antibacterial ointment after cleaning the area. Larger cuts might need a bandage – otherwise, allow the scratch to heal where air can get to it.
If you found our infant scratching face article helpful, then why not check out our other articles over on Parenting Community Hub:
4. Infant scratching face FAQs
After my baby scratches their face will it leave a scar?
Newborn face scratches should heal by themselves in a matter of days, and your baby's face will usually return to normal. Remember, if your baby scratches or you accidentally scratch their face – you’re not a bad parent, and it’s usually no reason to panic. If you are ever worried about a cut on your baby’s skin, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
Why do babies scratch their faces while sleeping?
An infant may end up scratching their face while they’re sleeping due to skin irritation or even their Moro Reflex, known as the startle reflex. Both are perfectly normal and can be prevented by trimming nails, wearing mitts, and treating irritated skin.
Is face scratching a sign of teething?
Face scratching might be a sign your newborn is teething if excess saliva has caused an irritable rash around their mouth. There are a few signs your baby may be teething – these may include disruptions to your baby’s sleep patterns or higher levels of irritability from your baby.
Can breast milk heal baby scratches?
Breast milk has antimicrobial properties, which means it may help reduce the chances of bacteria affecting newborn face scratches. It has been known to be used for skin complaints, such as baby acne, but there’s currently little science to confirm it can heal scratches or skin issues.
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