Baby waking up rubbing face and eyes

[FumbleBumbleBee]

So my 3 month old rubs his face when we put him down to sleep in his next to me cot and it wakes him up within seconds of being put down. He only does this when he's sleeping and been put down, so I'm certain it's not an allergy or anything like that. Is this part of the moro reflex? Will he grow out of it? It's such a pain because otherwise his sleep would be pretty good!
We use swaddle bags, but he's learning how to roll, so this isn't going to be an option for much longer. Please someone tell me this improves soon!

When you put him down do you remove yourself right away? With my DD once I put her down I kept myself over her as in pretending she was still against me for a few minutes before I slowly moved myself off. This was the only way she would stay asleep.

@Olika no, I either keep a hand on his chest for a while or lean over him like you're saying

My DS does the same thing, he's 14 weeks and it's exhausting! Hoping he grows out of it, he really rubs it and then cries. Hand hold x

My youngest did the same, also rubbing her face against me or her mattress and waking herself back up.
She’s almost one now and although she does still scrub her face when she’s tired she’s grown out of waking herself back up with it. I’m not sure exactly when she grew out of though

@dontcomeatme sounds similar to my baby, sorry you're going through it too! Let's hope they grow out of it soon 🤞🏼

@Bearybasket Sounds like it may not be part of the moro reflex then if your LO is almost 1 and still does it. How did you get any sleep??

Yes my 5 month old often does this. No idea why. Must be self soothing or something? She’s scratched herself a few times I have to make sure her nails aren’t too sharp. She has cradle cap which I’m trying to get rid of but I wonder if this makes her a bit itchy? As you say though it’s when she’s tired or asleep so I’m not sure of the reason other than comfort? If only they could tell us! Hopefully it stops soon.

@Redapple21 Yes maybe it's a self soothing thing. I tried putting my baby down for a nap today several times and he woke up every time rubbing his face 😩 it wasn't fun for either of us. And last night he rolled over in his cot for the first time! So the swaddles are definitely finished with 😅🙈

Is he trying to get his thumb in his mouth? Mine punches himself in the face a few times before he gets it right

@Paaseitjes I dont think so. He sometimes sucks on his hand, but not when he's put down to sleep.

Would he be able to take the nap on your bed by you holding him against you next to you until he is in deep sleep?

For my wee one it does seem like it’s a self soothing thing. Does he take a dummy?
Thinking back I started putting her down on her side once she could roll and that might have been when it stopped. She definitely started sleeping better then.
I think I might have also had some luck sort of gently placing my hands on her shoulders so I was weighing her arms down til she was sound but it was hit and miss if I remember right