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Parents often wonder why our babies scratch anything and everything they encounter. While it can be concerning, this behavior is natural for little ones. Scratching is a form of self-soothing for babies, and it can help them to relax or find comfort.
Babies often try to explore their environment and might use their fingers or other objects. Babies also like to explore textures, and scratching can be an enjoyable way for them to do this. Additionally, babies may scratch the skin around their face and body, which is a way for them to relieve an itch.
Although most scratching occurs while babies are exploring their environment and relieving an itch, there may be times when you need to intervene. If your baby scratches furniture or other surfaces at home, you should try introducing a toy your baby can use instead of the surfaces.
In this article, we’ll further discuss why babies do this, how you can stop them from scratching surfaces, and when you should become concerned. Read on to learn more about baby scratching.
Is It Common For Babies To Scratch Almost Everything?
Just like moaning when they eat, it is very common for babies to scratch surfaces. Most babies do it at some point during their first year of life. It’s usually nothing to worry about and is simply a way for your baby to explore his or her surroundings.
If you’re concerned about your baby scratching surfaces, there are a few things you can do to help prevent it. First, keep your baby’s nails trimmed short. You can also try putting socks or mittens on your baby’s hands to help protect surfaces from being scratched.
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Finally, give your baby lots of different textures to explore, such as soft blankets, plush toys, and even your fingers. This will help satisfy your baby’s curiosity and hopefully prevent him or her from scratching surfaces as much.
Why Do Babies Scratch Surfaces?
Why do babies scratch surfaces? It’s a common question that many parents ask. Your little one may be drawn to scratching things for a few reasons. Here are a few possibilities:
1. Curiosity
Babies are naturally curious creatures who want to explore the world around them. Their inquisitive nature makes them want to try out different things, and scratching surfaces is one of the ways they can get their way around things and explore.
2. Boredom
If your baby is stuck in one place for too long, it may become restless and look for ways to entertain itself. Scratching surfaces can be one way to pass the time and burn energy since there is really nothing else to do around the house.
3. Teething
When your baby is going through the teething process, they may start to chew on or scratch surfaces as a way to relieve some of the discomfort they’re feeling. You have to make sure that your house is baby-proof to avoid accidents.
4. Skin Conditions
Babies with eczema may scratch their skin because it’s itchy and irritated. If not treated properly, this can lead to further skin damage and even infection. Also, other skin-related issues like heat rash, scabies, dermatitis, and so on can irritate your baby’s skin and cause them to scratch.
Should I Be Concerned When My Baby Scratches Almost Everything?
If you notice your baby scratching surfaces more often than usual, it’s important to pay attention to see if there are any potential causes. Your baby may be scratching because of an itch, which can be a sign of eczema or another skin condition.
Sometimes when your baby is scratching to relieve pain, this could indicate an ear infection. If your baby is scratching due to teething pain, this is normal and has no cause for concern.
However, if you notice that your baby is excessively scratching and seems to be in distress, it’s essential to talk to your doctor to rule out any medical causes.
How To Stop Babies From Scratching Surfaces
Babies have a natural reflex to scratch surfaces. This reflex is called the grasp reflex and is present from birth to around four months old. The grasp reflex helps babies grip objects and keep them close to their bodies. You can stop your baby from scratching surfaces by:
- Putting soft mittens or gloves on their hands.
- Taping their fingers together with medical tape or Band-Aids.
- Applying a liberal amount of lotion to their hands and nails.
- Filing down their nails with an emery board or baby nail file.
Tips And Strategies For Curbing Unwanted Behavior
If you notice that your baby is scratching surfaces more often than usual, it’s important to take action to prevent further damage. Here are a few tips and strategies you can use to curb unwanted scratching behavior:
- Keep your baby’s nails trimmed short. This will minimize the amount of damage they can do when scratching.
- Apply a barrier cream or ointment to surfaces you don’t want your baby to scratch. This will create a physical barrier for your baby to work harder to get through.
- Be consistent with your discipline. If you scold your baby for scratching, ensure you do so every time they do it. This will help them learn that this behavior is not tolerated.
- Distract your baby when you see them start to scratch. Offer them a toy or another activity to focus on instead.
- Try positive reinforcement instead of punishment. When your baby refrains from scratching, praise them or give them a small treat as a reward.
Final Note
As you can see, babies scratching surfaces is a common behavior. It is often caused by uneven nail growth and the need to relieve some itchiness.
Fortunately, it’s usually harmless and temporary, but there are some steps that parents should take to help prevent scratching or make it less bothersome for everyone involved.
Keeping your baby’s fingernails trimmed is important, as well as ensuring they have plenty of soft toys or other objects that won’t be damaged if scratched. With a little patience and understanding, you can easily get through this phase without too much fuss!
