Hi, mamas! Thanks for taking the time to read this.
My son just turned 2 on Saturday. For the past few weeks he's been using his index and middle finger (usually at the same time) to gently rub his cheeks and chin. It's almost as if he's searching with his fingers for a bump (?) He does it almost as if he's not aware of it. He'll do while eating, while putting himself to sleep, while we read and even while his big sisters are running around with him and goofing off! It started out as such a sweet looking thing when he'd put himself to sleep. Now it's nearly ALL the time! (I'm not exaggerating- honest). Just yesterday we pulled his hand away and tried to distract him, but he just says, "HEY!" and goes right back to doing it!
Do any of you have any suggestions on how to make him stop and why he's doing it? A friend says it's a "nervous" habit. But he doesn't seem to be nervous, worried, or anything. He does it even he's occupied and happy!
Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this!
L.
Just a self-soothing habit, and very common. I have a few of those myself, and they don't mean that I'm bored or nervous or unhappy, though they can be more pervasive if I am. Be glad it's not nose-picking or nail-biting!
It sounds to me like he has found a sensory seeking way to soothe himself. If he is not worried, and it is not causing him a problem, I would just wait it out and see how it goes.
You might be more alert to anything odd as he develops, especially anything having to do with sensory, perceptual, or motor development and check them out sooner rather than later, but for now, if he is fine, and you are fine, then this is one where you can probably wait and see.
If anyone else has a seen this and has other opinions (development wise) I would be really interested to know what they know!
M.
Its just an unconscious self-soothing thing.
My son, when he turned 3, started to like rubbing his hand under my arm-pit, and on my Hubby's face. We asked him "why?" He said he likes the "pokey" stubble. LOL :)
For some reason, it is comforting to him and soothing.
He will do it whenever he is sitting near us.
He is sort of sensory sensitive to textures or certain things. Not in a disruptive way and it causes no problems in everyday life. It is just his quirks/eccentricities, or whatever you want to call it. But for some reason, he likes the "pokey" feel of some things.
He is doing it less... and growing out of it though, now at 3.5 years old.
all the best,
Susan
L.,
While this habit may seem a bit 'peculiar' its actually rather normal behavior. Your son is self-soothing himslef. It may be to calm nerves, but also a way to relax. Many children and adults engage in reptitious behavior, like rocking, tapping their fingers or rubbing a soft object (like a cheek). It is not cause for concern. I am 30 years old, and every since I can remember I always rubbed my fingers together. It helps when I'm nervous, relaxing or just sitting and thinking. Unless your son is harming himself, I do not belive this behavior is much of concern.
- T.
I agree with others ...this appears to be a self soothing thing. My son, who is almost 3, loves to rub ...the sides of pillows/pillowcases with his finger and thumb especially when he is sleepy. He also loves to take his palm and rub on my husbands and my nose when he is tired or bored..kinda silly and more recent than the pillow thing. My other kids had thumbs or blankie's to attach too so I know that this is all it is and I will wait for him to outgrow...as it seems pretty harmless. Good luck to you.
It sounds like a self-soothing mechanism (nervous habit) similar to a child who sucks their thumb or uses a pacifier.
My guess is that it's completely subconscious. It's probably like the irritating habits we notice other people doing (chewing gum loudly, tapping their fingers on a table, twirling their hair around their fingers) but can't recognize in ourselves.
I had a friend in college who rubbed a small piece of lace between her thumb and index finger when she was nervous. She had no idea she was doing it most of the time - just something she started doing as a child.
If you're concerned, I'd talk to the pediatrician about it.
Otherwise, I'd think it would be something he'll grow out of like thumb sucking as he matures and especially when other kids start bringing to his attention.
My first thought was maybe he was rubbing due to some teething pain or ache in his jaw. I wouldn't worry too much at this point. At this age their hands are starting to get more busy (cutting paper with safety scissors, coloring, play dough, all kids of activities) and he'll be too busy for his mannerism until nap or bed time.
It sounds to me like something he likes doing without really even thinking about it. He may like the way it makes his face feel or he may like the way it makes his fingertips feel. Hard to say.
My son and I watch a little boy and he always rubs his chin. It's like he's always deeply thinking about something. He doesn't do it 24 hours a day.
(I joke that he's waiting for his whiskers to come in).
You can ask the pediatrician about it, but I don't think you should be too worried. Maybe he just likes touching his face. Little kids do have very soft skin.
Maybe you can talk him into giving YOU a facial massage. :)
My daughter used to rub her elbows of all things to self-soothe.
I think he'll grow out of it.
Best wishes!
Ask him if it makes his skin feel different or can he tell you why he does it? Maybe he has tingles on his face or something........I would bring it up to a Dr. just to make sure......but I think it is probably something he does to sooth himself.........I used to twirl my hair...........
Good Luck and take care.
It could be also his 2 year molars coming in and he's just unconsciously rubbing the area. It should pass and he'll be on to something else before ya know it!
Hello L., I have seen children that twist their hair, pick their nose, talk to themselves, chew their fingernails,suck thier thumbs and so on all without even being aware of doing it. For them it was just a habit and something that went away in time. He is 2 in another year it will be something else.
Don't worry it is all part of his growing years.
