My almost 7 month daughter is shaking her head like "no" for the past few days. I googled it and came upon this thread. She has been advanced on her milestones and great checkups so we weren't worried about her until the head shaking. She also has signs of teething but no teeth yet. It seems from this thread that it's a common thing that babies do.
My 8 month old has also been shaking his head back and forth for a while, but he is teething and he is early on all his developmental markers so i'm not really worried. After reading a few posts i noticed that most of the infants shaking their heads are about 8 months and are getting teeth so it seems likely that it's just a phase. Also the article in the What to Expect book explains that it is really very normal. Makes me feel so much better!
Hello, I am 24 years old and I shake my head before I sleep. It helps me sleep better, it's my best part of going to sleep. I have been shaking my head to sleep since I was a baby. I'm a perfectly healthy and academically gifted lady. On nights of bad weather and thunder, I tend to shake it more rigorous. As a child I was taken to doctors and neurologist as my family found it strange and troublesome. I'm not ready to stop shaking my head, but ready to compromise for my partner should I get married. My twin sister also did the same a baby but stopped before the age of 4. It's normal for babies to do this and stop before school going age, rarely does it go into adulthood.
I had no idea about this but it sounds to me like it is a pretty common phenomenon. Thanks for letting me know about it. I would have been quite worried if I had an infant that died that without my expecting it!
My son started shaking his head when he was 3 months old. I was so worried because he attracted negative attention everywhere we went. People said we should take him to see a doctor, that he must be sick. But none of the doctors we visited could explain the situation. We resorted to prayers. Then my wife took the child along to visit her parents in a different town. That was when he was 14 months old. Arriving there he met many other kids. It was his first opportunity to live and play with other little children. One week into their stay, my son stopped the head-shaking! The change of environment was surely helpful. Exposure to other kids may have helped too.
So far the only post that makes sense is the one by Loren asking for someone with knowledge of this phenomenon to say something about it. Rather than simply saying, "My kid does this too" (and assuming from the number of posts, a ridiculously tiny sample, when you think about it for a second, that everything is hunky-dory), if someone actually finds something reliable, useful and informative on the internet -- such as the person who posted the information about ear pain -- then please post the links, and keep the useless personal anecdotes to a minimum so that that those of us who are looking for information has some chance of finding some. Thanks. By the way, RELIABLE is a key term: postings to more rumour boards and open chat centres won't advance out knowledge at all. -- Andrew in Poland
My 10 month old has been doing this for a couple of months he shakes his head NO. But he also does some kind of other shake too. Well my husband and i took him to his doctor and the doctor told us that he has minor terets syndrome. My husband had it when he was a baby really bad but now it is mild he may jump in his sleep or accidentally knock over a drink but its not that big of a deal. But the doctor also checked to see if my son was having seizures but as i said it was terets. So if it looks like a different head shake than just the NO head shake i would take your son or daughter to his/her doctor. I hope this helps a little bit!!!!!
Hi Guest! I just want to comment on your post. Everyone's "personal anecdotes" are just their way of reaching out for help and support. Knowing that another child, besides your own, has a behavior such as head shaking, puts parents minds at ease. I'm wondering if you are a parent. Because if you were, you would realize that parenting is scary and no parent is perfect. We reach out for the support of other parents when we can't think of or come up with a "reason" or "reliable usefull information". When you have taken your child to the doctor and have been told nothing is wrong, it should put your mind at ease, but for parent's it just doesn't. If something doesn't seem right to us, we want answers, and what better way to get support and feedback then on a chat board for Newborns.
And, even though, the little bit of 'knowledge' someone shares from their experience, might not be exactly the answer you're looking for or what you are experiencing, it is still comforting to know that you are not the only one dealing with whatever it is you are dealing with. With the help, support, opinions, facts, etc. from other members or guests in the forum, people who are looking for it are rewarded with just that. Nobody (or very few members) are actual doctors or medical experts in this forum, so people are replying and helping with the little bit of informaiton or experience they have had. For many people, this is exaclty what is needed. I know I have been helped in this forum just from the support, not the "reliable" facts that experts have given me.
And...P.S. you are not supposed to post links in this forum. The moderator will delete them if they see them, so my advice to you is to not give out pointers like telling people to post links, rather, you should become a registered user and read the rules of the forum.
Have a great day :D
And, even though, the little bit of 'knowledge' someone shares from their experience, might not be exactly the answer you're looking for or what you are experiencing, it is still comforting to know that you are not the only one dealing with whatever it is you are dealing with. With the help, support, opinions, facts, etc. from other members or guests in the forum, people who are looking for it are rewarded with just that. Nobody (or very few members) are actual doctors or medical experts in this forum, so people are replying and helping with the little bit of informaiton or experience they have had. For many people, this is exaclty what is needed. I know I have been helped in this forum just from the support, not the "reliable" facts that experts have given me.
And...P.S. you are not supposed to post links in this forum. The moderator will delete them if they see them, so my advice to you is to not give out pointers like telling people to post links, rather, you should become a registered user and read the rules of the forum.
Have a great day :D
This is a normal part of baby development. If your baby has lots of expressions (smiles, hugs, laughing, etc) in response to stimuli and has just recently started this, don't worry. If your baby is just kinda "there" all the time and does this, there is quite possibly something wrong.
Thanks for the links. It has calmed me down a bit.
I'm a nervous Nana my grandchild is 5 months old and was just taken to the emergency room because of "head shaking".
I'm anxiously waiting to see what the doctors say, but it was encouraging to read about the possibility of an ear infection.
My grandson was nursing and his eyes were closed ... his head shook for about 20 seconds. The doctors wanted to see him immediately. All of his other behavior is normal.
I'm a nervous Nana my grandchild is 5 months old and was just taken to the emergency room because of "head shaking".
I'm anxiously waiting to see what the doctors say, but it was encouraging to read about the possibility of an ear infection.
My grandson was nursing and his eyes were closed ... his head shook for about 20 seconds. The doctors wanted to see him immediately. All of his other behavior is normal.
my 8.5 month old daughter just started the head shaking yesterday (well sunday). We were at a resturant, she was in a highchair and there was music playing. She leaned her head backwards and started shaking it "no" and then smiling. She also started to wave her arms around in the air...so we all laughed assuming she was "dancing". She continues to do it, even when there is no music, but she laughs while doing it. When you do it back, she cracks up. In my daughter's case, I think she just realized she could do something new and enjoys it.
However, when she is going to sleep...she shakes her head back and forth, almost in a violent manner. I have yet to ask the dr about this, but plan to do so on her next visit. I was thinking it was from her ear infections a few months back. She still does it from time to time, but during the day she shows NO signs of pain or discomfort. She gets sort of cranky when she is tired, but thats about it. Her last (which was also her first) ear infection came with no signs, so I am guessing it is very possible that she has another. My daughter is also teething. She cut her top left tooth on the feb 11th and her right front tooth today. This makes 4 teeth so far, so I am thinking the head shaking is pretty normal and nothing to WORRY about, but then again it's not something that should be left out at the dr's office.
im so glad my child isnt the only one, i would like to thank all you parents that posted about your childs similar behavior. for sure some reassurance and peace of mind :-)
However, when she is going to sleep...she shakes her head back and forth, almost in a violent manner. I have yet to ask the dr about this, but plan to do so on her next visit. I was thinking it was from her ear infections a few months back. She still does it from time to time, but during the day she shows NO signs of pain or discomfort. She gets sort of cranky when she is tired, but thats about it. Her last (which was also her first) ear infection came with no signs, so I am guessing it is very possible that she has another. My daughter is also teething. She cut her top left tooth on the feb 11th and her right front tooth today. This makes 4 teeth so far, so I am thinking the head shaking is pretty normal and nothing to WORRY about, but then again it's not something that should be left out at the dr's office.
im so glad my child isnt the only one, i would like to thank all you parents that posted about your childs similar behavior. for sure some reassurance and peace of mind :-)
I am surprised a doctor didn't give you better answers. Number one sign is an ear infection, it its not that it is also a sign of teething. Myy 8 month does this as well, so I think she may be getting her first tooth as I ruled out an ear infection.
I was glad to read the post below, my son is 5 months and has been shaking his head for about a week. When He was born he failed his hearing tests and subsequent tests have not gone well. the doctors have now come to the conclution taht he may have glue ear, but will not make a firm diagnosis untill he's 8 months. He also had a tongue tie at birth which was cut at a week old, he still cannot use his tongue propperly or co-ordinate his swallowing and breathin so chokes on his feeds, he gets too tired quickly so the pediatritians have put him on high calorie milk, the feeding specialist said he has to work twice as hard as othe babies to get milk from his bottle, this could also be to do with his high, soft palate. He's been back and forth from the hospital since birth. he had a video fluroscopy to do with his swallowing and they discovered that his tongue is sitting very far back in his mouth, this pushes his milk and food up and out his nose, he also is sick through his nose! It will be a long process of appointments and speech and language therapy but will all be worth it. He is also in the process of been diagnosed with a kidney problem, the pediatricians seem to think it could be a condition called reflux which gives him serious urine infections. All his problems are things which he should grow out of. But He is also teething, dribbling and trying to chew everything in sight! He's happy and always wants to play. No temperature or anything unusual. So I'm putting the head shaking down to the teething. But will still be mentioning it to his audiologist.
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i don't know if this is a sign for something serious but my son has been doing the shakes when he was about 8 months. i noticed him doing it especially when he's already tired and sleepy. i always thought it was normal and never have him checked. he's now 3 years old and acts and looks normal. so i think there's nothing to worry.
My daughter is 13 months old and has shaken her head on and off since about 6 months old. Other than repeated ear infections, she is a healthy child with allergies to amoxicillin and egg whites. She has developed normally physicall and socially, and in some areas advanced. For her there are two different types of head shaking. Reverse to when it first began, I was very worried (nervous first time mom with little infant experience) so I immediately thought there was something neurological. Here's what I know from our experience and what our doctors have said (of course always investigate yourself, read, and ask your doctors--and if they don't answer, go to another one!):
1. Her first head shaking was when she'd be settling in to go to sleep, I would rock her in a cradle hold and she would roll her head back and forth, her eyes would start to roll back and her eyes would get drowsy. She did this EVERY TIME she'd be falling asleep, and then also began hitting herself on the side of the head. As others have stated in their comments, this repetitive behavior can be soothing to them. Sometimes she will still do the hitting her head portion, but at 13 months the head rolling before sleep is gone now.
2. Our little girl has unfortunately suffered many ear infections...7 in less than 12 months. Her second type of head shaking is when she is awake and she'll stop what she's doing to do this type. Usually leans one direction a little bit, sometimes will reach to her head. She is NOT an earpuller--7 infections and has never tugged an ear. So if you're suspicious of infection and your child doesn't tug, don't ignore it, they don't all ear tug. My daughter's first symptom of ear infection is usually this head shake and interrupted sleep. It used to be sudden fever, but as she's getting older the fever usually takes a few days. The last 2 she never even presented one, even though she had double ear infection, with pus that needed 2 separate antibiotics to kick it for good. We're likely heading in for tubes soon....
Hope this helps!
1. Her first head shaking was when she'd be settling in to go to sleep, I would rock her in a cradle hold and she would roll her head back and forth, her eyes would start to roll back and her eyes would get drowsy. She did this EVERY TIME she'd be falling asleep, and then also began hitting herself on the side of the head. As others have stated in their comments, this repetitive behavior can be soothing to them. Sometimes she will still do the hitting her head portion, but at 13 months the head rolling before sleep is gone now.
2. Our little girl has unfortunately suffered many ear infections...7 in less than 12 months. Her second type of head shaking is when she is awake and she'll stop what she's doing to do this type. Usually leans one direction a little bit, sometimes will reach to her head. She is NOT an earpuller--7 infections and has never tugged an ear. So if you're suspicious of infection and your child doesn't tug, don't ignore it, they don't all ear tug. My daughter's first symptom of ear infection is usually this head shake and interrupted sleep. It used to be sudden fever, but as she's getting older the fever usually takes a few days. The last 2 she never even presented one, even though she had double ear infection, with pus that needed 2 separate antibiotics to kick it for good. We're likely heading in for tubes soon....
Hope this helps!