Why do babies rub their eyes when tired?

Babies often rub their eyes when they’re tired because it’s a common sleep cue and a way to self-soothe. The motion can also help them briefly reduce light and other stimulation when they’re getting overwhelmed or ready for sleep.

Other possible reasons include:

• Dry or irritated eyes: rubbing may feel comforting if their eyes are a bit dry or itchy.
• General tiredness: many babies rub their eyes as part of the winding-down process before naps or bedtime.

If the rubbing happens a lot when your baby doesn’t seem sleepy, or if it comes with redness, swelling, watery eyes, discharge, or fussiness, it could be from an eye irritation, allergy, infection, or something in the eye, and it’s worth checking with a pediatrician.