It is one of the many consultations that appear in the first appointments with the pediatrician, especially if it is about new parents. My baby scratches my face, what I do?
It is common to observe that babies scratch the face other people, especially mom, even scratching their own faces without even noticing. Is it normal? Is there to worry? In this post we tell you why it happens and what you should do when a baby scratches the face.
Scratching Babies
The first thing I'm going to tell you is very simple: don't worry. This behavior is very common and is not serious at all. The newborn babies have sharp nails and with them they can scratch the face of another person or even their own face. In this first stage, a scratch is something natural and, above all, very frequent.
Now, it also happens that, as they grow up, there are mothers who complain: «my baby scratches my face«. Here we are not talking about scratching babies Without even noticing it, but as children who do it with intention although, of course, not with full consciousness. Why are there babies who scratch?
At certain stages in a baby's life, scratches become part of everyday life again and there are different reasons or motives why they do it. There are children who scratch to defend themselves and others to express their frustration. In other cases, scratches on the face are an attempt to get the attention of parents or guardians. It can also happen that children scratch to get attention in relation to a toy or to be heard and looked at.
What is clear is that when a spider baby he is intentionally trying to communicate something. «My baby scratches my face«Some mothers express concern, without understanding that it is an act of communication that seeks to express an emotion. If we identify the reason why our little scratch, it is very likely that we will be able to correct the behavior. Understanding the nature of your behavior will help you find a way to correct the behavior.
Scratches on the face, a behavior to correct
Scratching is an exploratory behavior that may be linked to biting and hitting. They are common in children between 12 and 36 months and can occur with both adults and peers, especially when they start to go to daycare. Although this type of behavior is part of child development, it is also important to note these behaviors to correct them as soon as possible offering alternative options to express emotions.
Babies who scratch should not be punished, It is important to act firmly but avoid being harsh as it is a stage in which the little ones are learning to regulate their emotions and aggressive behaviors are part of the natural development process. Responsible adults are the moderators or referents and that is why it is important to react empathically, although with limits.
Never return the scratch because the baby who scratches will only understand that violence is the resource to manage emotions. Nor is it necessary to smile or take it as a joke because we would be giving the wrong message. Remember that there are no bad children but inappropriate behaviors, so it is important not to add words like "bad" but simply to correct the behavior with a simple explanation so as not to affect their self-esteem in construction. The ideal is to do it as soon as the scratch occurs but taking the child to a secluded and quiet place, speaking without shouting but with vehemence.
The face scratching babies they won't forever. Both this habit and that of biting or hitting can last up to 3 or 4 years of age but the most common is that it disappears as the children mature and improve their language and communication, when they find other channels to express their emotions.
pff, I was already worried. My 8-month-old baby only falls asleep scratching me, be it my face, neck, neckline, or arms. Thanks for the article!!!