6Month Old Son Shaking Head

Same thing happened to my son around 5 months(he's 7m now). Ped said it was just him experimenting with moving his body and realizing he has control. I was freaked out myself. Sometimes it can be linked to earaches, etc so that's why I took him in. My son still does it, but usually it's when he's being silly.

It's a new skill, he's learning how his body works, how it feels... he's going to do a lot of 'wierd' things as he learns how to control various parts of his body. His mouth and the bubbles, the food spitting, throwing things off his tray, shaking his legs, sucking his toes because he can... this is all about learning how things work and what he has control over. Relax.... enjoy the show.... it's better than tv or any movie you'll ever watch.

There are any number of reasons he could be doing this -- a sinus imbalance - teeth-- ear congestion --- or just an interesting sensation. As long as you can distract him without his objecting- I sure wouldn't worry- ( but then - we Moms' do some of that, dont we???) -- Aren't they wonderful??/ If there is anything cuter than a 6 month old baby--- ( well, a 4 year old - or a 10 year old -- they are all so fantastic)

Blessings,
J. - aka-- Old Mom ( retired, special ed, preschool teacher)

Hi B.,

My kids did that when they were teething. Nothing to be worried about.

Just to ease your fears a bit, we thought our dd was having seizures. We had brain scans, etc. The Dr. said that if the movement could be stopped by touching, holding or distracting the child it was NOT a seizure. I'm sure its just one of those funny kids things... Good luck.

Babies do the funniest things!

It is quite normal for them to try repetitive motions with their bodies. It's a new sensation AND they control it. Many toddlers will spin round and round. Some 6 month olds will actually bang their heads into their headboards. Others rock, slam their feet,etc.

That said, definitely talk with your ped. There may be some other componenet to this that you didn't mention in your 'sound bite' :) that the doctor would pick up on. But it really does sound completely normal

My son, now 2, would do this quite a bit, especially when he was sleepy. He outgrew it. It's probably a sort of vestibular stimulation. Babies and toddlers love to spin and shake their heads quickly to stimulate the balance centers of their brains. If you're concerned about it, though, ask your pediatrician.

Hi B.
My daughter is now a year old, but I do remember this head shaking phase and also being a bit concerned, like you.
For your son, it's most likely that he's learned this new trick and he's shaking his head because he can. Sounds like you have an appointment already scheduled with your Dr. so you can ask about it then. But, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about and a completely normal phase.
Enjoy the time. The 6-9month age is SO much fun.

Lots of babies do this. He is just experimenting relax.

My oldest child used to do that to stay awake when he was a baby. There was nothing wrong with him, he was just overly tired but didn't want to go to sleep. Now that he's almost five years old, he doesn't shake his head anymore, but he does whatever he can to move around in order to stay awake.

My experience with my 2 year old that it could be he's using a new skill and learning what it does, or he could have an ear infection after the cold he had recently. Good for you for making an appointment to get him checked out. If he starts playing with or pulling his ears, move the appointment up since those are classic signs of an ear infection.

B.,

I've seen other moms post this question before. It's fairly normal, and a cool sensation. Don't you remember being a kid and doing that?

I wouldn't worry about it too much.

It is nothing at all to be concerned about. I was worried as well, when my daughter started to do it. I was worrying about Autism and all kinds of silly things. But we have to remember - these little ones are just getting control over those neck muscles. They're simply exercising that control. My daughter is 16 months now, and can say "butterfly" (budduhfy!) and "breakfast bar" (beffuhbah) - so rest assured, it doesn't mean he has a developmental problem.

Not a big deal...I started to freak out about it with my first son, too, until I realized he was playing with his hair! His bangs were long and he was swishing them around. And he also did it when he was tired. My second son has done it a little bit, too, but it is like a phase and it has mostly stopped now, except to say "no". I know it's weird at first, but 99.9% of the time it's nothing at all.... ;-)

I think this is VERY normal for little ones. They're learning about their bodys by experimentation..

Just a side story, when my brother was young he use to do this weird stand on tippy toes an weird hand/finger movement thing, kinda like a strange dance. My mom's sister used to ask my mom if she could come over to "watch" him, because it was the weirdest thing. My mom would constantly be asking the doctor if that was normal and he kept telling her he was fine and that he'd grow out of it, she could reach down and touch him and he'd stop as well. Funny thing is it became way less severe, but now (he's nearly 30 married with 2 kids) whenever he plays video games or computer games that he's really into the hand/wrist thing kinda comes back and he bounces his knee,.. its funny, something I can tease my big brother about because he never quite grew out of it but it's obviously a subconsious way that he channels his excitement/concentration/stimulation or whatever you want to call it! We all have weird quirks!

My son did the exact same thing...freaked me out. He did especially when he was tired. I took him to the physician for 6 month appt and she said it is just fun for them to do. Additionally, my son does it when he is tired to help him stay awake (he also gets super excited and playful when he is about ready to crash - just his way of getting out energy I guess).

Hi B.,
I think my daughter was a little older - maybe 9 or 10 months old when she started shaking her head. I think it had to do with her teething, because she would often seem to grind her gums and do it. It may be just a reaction to dealing with the discomfort from teething, as well as something new they've discovered they can do.
~J.

This is very normal and often turns into head "banging" when the child gets older. They do it when they are tired. Most kids use it as a way to unwind so they can fall asleep.

Getting lots of exercise can help as he gets older. Naps are very important as well as routines and a steady, early bedtime.

It could go on for years, because it just might be his way of calming down. Drs don't become concerned unless it goes beyond the age of 4 generally.

That sounds very similar to something my now 3 year old started to do when she was about the same age. It was almost like she would tense up her face in this funny way like she was eating something sour (but she wasn't!) Her head would shake and she would do this funny thing with her mouth and eyes. It worried me at first, and I never really concluded why she was doing it, other than experiencing a sensation that maybe she enjoyed, or maybe reacting to something she didn't enjoy...she would just do it randomly. When she got a little older, it sort of manifested as a silly kind of thing she would do, like an excited face, so I think it was more fun for her than anything! Unless there are any other issues you didn't mention in your post, in my opinion, he's probably just experiencing different sensations and the world around him...take care and good luck!

my son did this around the same age- went thru a phase of doing it all the time but it was over in a month or two (w/ occational times after that). i was concerned and asked around and i heard some kids bang their head, which i think would be even more disturding! so be glad he's jsut a shaker! :)

This may be minor seizures, so ask your doctor. If possible, get it on camera for the doctor to see. Best wishes.