Why do babies, but not adults, often rub their eyes when they're sleepy?

Question

I was just curious why babies so often rub their eyes when they're sleepy? I don't have kids, but lots of people I know of, tell me they can always tell when their babies are getting sleepy or tired, because they rub their eyes a lot.

Why do babies do this? It looks irritating when I see them rubbing their eyes. Also, I don't understand why babies do this but adults don't. Or at least no adults I know of, rub their eyes when they're sleepy. I certainly don't!! I only rub them if they itch me, which is extremely rare and only happens with an allergy flare up (again, very rare).

Oops! Natalie A's reply made me realize I wrote something in an unclear way. *blush* I did NOT mean that I feel irritated when I see babies rubbing their eyes. In fact, I think it's kinda cute! :)

I meant that it looks like it would be an irritating FEELING, if someone were to rub their eyes like that. (Probably because I hate the sensation of anything in or touching my eyes -- even my own gentle fingers! This is why I could never use contacts! heh)

Answer 1

I know a lot of adults that rub their eyes when they are tired. I can't speak medically, but I think it has to do with your eyes starting to waver or feel dry or irritated when your body starts to shut down from exhaustion.

I know my nephew rubs his eyes (he's just over 1 year old) because while he wants to still be aware of what is going on, his eyes close and so he rubs them in frustration, hoping to keep them open.

Answer 2

Babies start rubbing their eyes in the womb. It is a natural instinct, bet you did the same when you were a babe. Most adults react differntly, they get up and go to bed, if they are not at work. Babies can't just get up and go to bed, however , I have seen them just go to sleep no matter what they are doing. Ever seen a baby/child asleep in a plate of food, that is so cute when they do that. But of course their caretaker did not take their signs that they need to go lay down. Hope that helped you some.

Answer 3

Adults do rub their eyes when they are sleepy. However, adults know when they are getting tired and are able to pick themselves up and go to bed.
Children on the other hand, do not want to sleep for fear of missing something important.

Answer 4

I rub my eyes when I'm tired. I know a number of women who wear smudge proof mascara for this very reason.

Think of a movie, the "hero" is over worked and sitting at a computer. He does what to show this? Takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes.

Babies and children just have not learned to curb their physical cues like adults have.

Answer 5

Well babies cannot talk and their only way of communicating with you are signs or basically crying. It think I prefer my daughter rubbing her eyes and letting me know that she is tired and about ready to sleep.. That way i can feed her and get her ready for bed before she gets too cranky which then makes it more of a hardwork.

Answer 6

I'm guessing that having their eyes feel tired is a new feeling for them so they try to get rid of it by rubbing them. When we are adults we know that when our eyes are getting druppy feeling that we are tired and need sleep.

Answer 7

I think babies rub their eyes because sleepy eyes feel very gritty. I still do this when i am tired.

Answer 8

I think it might be because babies try to stay awake long after they have started feeling tired. So as another person answered, their eye are very tired and therefore a little itchy. Like our eyes when we are extremely tired.

Answer 9

Babies are real. They don't try and pretend that they aren't sleepy. What you see is what you get. Adults don't usually rub their eye because it seems rude.

Answer 10

Have you ever been so tired that your eyes burn a little? I think that maybe that's how they feel, and they just need to close their eyes and rub them.