At wits end! Baby rubbing eyes/scratching in sleep. What can I do??

[maldivemoment]

In the past few weeks our 5 month old has been excessively rubbing his eyes/face whiel trying to get to sleep and during his sleep and waking himself up in the process. Has anyone else experienced this and if so, what did you do? Furthermore, does anyone know why he does it? I'm thinking it may be a habit rather than having any underlying medical cause. He has a little touch of eczema on the side of his face, next to his ear, but this is not where he rubs. Occasionally we put a little Hydrocortisone cream on and we also use Doublebase cream more regularly.

Now we come to what to do about it? At the moment the only thing I can think to do is swaddle him. He really doesn't like it but it's the only was I can prevent his from scratching! Oh yes, any we use scratch mitts but he tends to rub his head after cream being applied and then put his hands in his mouth!!!

Anyone?? Thanks

PS Have also posted in Sleep forum.

Do you have pets? Do you use biological washing powder? Perhaps an allergy. Maybe consider getting him tested (if you can).

ds had a phase of always having a scratch on his nose near his eye. he's a rubber!
keep nails short as possible - either snip or file if it's too scary!

Hi,

DD is 5m and also does this. We try to keep her nails really short but also found that if we put a muslin or piece of silky material on her chest and rest her hands on it as she is drifting off then she twists and rubs the edge of that rather than rubbing her face. It seems like she just needs to 'fidget'.