My 9 month old son has just started doing this.
at first I was worried it was an ear infection.
but he is teething...so thats probably why..
I will take him to a doctor just to be sure.
but he usually smiles when he does it so hes probably just trying out his new thing that hes learnt
at first I was worried it was an ear infection.
but he is teething...so thats probably why..
I will take him to a doctor just to be sure.
but he usually smiles when he does it so hes probably just trying out his new thing that hes learnt
Of any of the individuals that have posted on here, no one has mentioned anything about their child's medical history. My son is not 8 1/2 mths and has been doing this head shake thing for a few months. He does, however, have a cleft palate and does have a history of problems with his ears. He had tubes put in his ears about 2.5 months ago, but the shaking continues. The ENT does say that the tubes look good and appear to be draining well, so I'm not sure that-at least in my son's case, the ears are related. However, the post from the gentleman regarding permanent hearing loss and nerve damage due to undiagnosed infections may be relevent. He did pass his newborn screening, but did fail subsequent hearing tests, but surgery wasn't performed for a few months post-failed tests. I'm not sure how long it takes for nerve damage to occur, but I will definitely explore this option further with the audiologist.
Thanks! At least I know my child and my family isn't alone in their concern.
Thanks! At least I know my child and my family isn't alone in their concern.
Our daughter, who was born 2 months premature, (currently 5 months old ) is doing the same thing. I've read every single post here and the only thing that makes sense to us is the teething and when she's happy / tired. She does mimic us, we will shake our heads and say "No no!" and she will get a big smile on her face and shake her head back and forth very rapidly. Quite amusing, she also starts to cry when I act like I'm crying. :-P
My son is almost 4 and has done this since he was about 4 months old. Sometimes it's a "no" type shaking with just his head going back and forth - other times its a whole neck thing usually going to the right side almost like he was going to look over his right shoulder, and then goes into a shaking.
Short medical history: Among other problems - the main ones that may contribute to this are hydrochepalus ( un-shunted) and another rare birth defect of the cerebellum which can cause problems with balance and coordination. I noticed another post from an adult who said he had equilibrium problems and did this.
He does it all day long, anytime his head is not laying down. As soon as he sits up in the morning he goes at it. If I tell him to stop he can, but then usually starts again within a minute or two.
He is getting to the age where it is very noticeable and people ask about it, kids stare. I was hoping it would go away before he starts school in a few years, but now I'm worried.
Short medical history: Among other problems - the main ones that may contribute to this are hydrochepalus ( un-shunted) and another rare birth defect of the cerebellum which can cause problems with balance and coordination. I noticed another post from an adult who said he had equilibrium problems and did this.
He does it all day long, anytime his head is not laying down. As soon as he sits up in the morning he goes at it. If I tell him to stop he can, but then usually starts again within a minute or two.
He is getting to the age where it is very noticeable and people ask about it, kids stare. I was hoping it would go away before he starts school in a few years, but now I'm worried.
Babies shake their head "no" for awhile at about six months. Let it go.
my 8 month old started this about two weeks ago. I ahve found nothing to date that says anything about a developmental lapse or anything negative really......I'm thinking they may like the feel of it and as they learn to move new parts of thier body they push the limits..... Im not worried yet, i mean hes walking already......head shaking seems normal if hes that far ahead with everything else?
Thanks to all that have replied so far. My 8 1/2 month daughter just started shaking her head back and forth today, like a "no", usually without seeming to notice it. I was really worried all day because I am on Bactrim DS, Allegra, and Robitussin DM for my terrible bronchitis/sinus infection. She has been completely healthy up to this point with completely normal and on-track development. She has been napping less lately; it's the holidays, and we're very busy. So, probably it's due to being tired; she also just started teething, so that might be part of it too. She has no fever or ear tugging to suggest an ear infection. We are going in for a 9 month check up in 2 weeks, so I plan to bring it up then. I will post back with any suggestions from the doctor. Please post if this happened to your child, and also mention when it eventually went away. Thanks again, everyone!
My 8 month old has been doing the shaking of the head thing. The doctor said not to worry right now...it is probably from teething and his ear infection. It did freak my husband and I out...I though he was haing mini seizures or something,but he is coherant through the shaking and stops when you get his attention
My daughter (7mo) started to shake her head a week ago, mainly when playing, smiling & laughing (always while in a good mood), but has now started to do it while sleeping?
She is teething so this sounds like a possible reason?? Also she has a virus so this could also be related?? Tomorrow morning will take her for a check up.
She is teething so this sounds like a possible reason?? Also she has a virus so this could also be related?? Tomorrow morning will take her for a check up.
My almost 8 month old just started shaking his head back and forth--like he's saying no. I have done it to him and he will mimic me, but he started it on his own. Also, his second front tooth just popped through the gum--I noticed it this morning ...so the jaw pressure explained in an earlier post sounds very likely. I will say, that although it concerned me enough to google it, I have read several posts on this site and others where children are put through a myriad of tests and the doctor says the child is normal. Perhaps we should consider other behaviors before jumping to conclusions and putting your child through a lot ....
my 8 mo old son has been doing this too due to teething. according to the doc the nerves that are effected when the front teeth come in also are connected to the ear and cause ear pain.
my daughter started doing this too, she's 9 mo.
It seemed completely involuntary, and she seems unaware that she's doing it.
I am pretty worried.
What should us worried parents do, or say to our doctors?
It seemed completely involuntary, and she seems unaware that she's doing it.
I am pretty worried.
What should us worried parents do, or say to our doctors?
what i tried to stop him from shaking is sitting him up and help him burps. i also noticed that milk often comes up his throat(i can hear it) while his head is shaking. my neighbor's son used to shake his head just like my son.
yes, it does look weird when he shakes his head for a few seconds.
yes, it does look weird when he shakes his head for a few seconds.
my 8 month old is doing this also. my 4 year old did it too. it was when he was tired... my MIL is now freaking me out with wanting to get the littlest one tested for seizures. i agreed to it as his 9m well check is coming. i never thought twice about it with my 4 yr old as hes a "normal" if not advanced little guy! will post more when i know more.
brighttots.com/Early_signs
its not autism..
my kid is 1yr old.. shakes his head no and bangs his head into the couch, a pillow, or sometimes sitting with his back to the wall not hard enough to hurt himself but it was still a concern.. I have googled a lot about this topic and came to realize that (from what I found on the web because im not a doctor) it is not exactly a standard normal thing, but it happens in kids and it there is no reason to freak out about it... I just try to stop him and tell him not to do it.. In my eyes its better to stop a habit then break one..
Good Luck Parents!! :-)
its not autism..
my kid is 1yr old.. shakes his head no and bangs his head into the couch, a pillow, or sometimes sitting with his back to the wall not hard enough to hurt himself but it was still a concern.. I have googled a lot about this topic and came to realize that (from what I found on the web because im not a doctor) it is not exactly a standard normal thing, but it happens in kids and it there is no reason to freak out about it... I just try to stop him and tell him not to do it.. In my eyes its better to stop a habit then break one..
Good Luck Parents!! :-)