You may notice a baby shaking their head while interacting with others or playing. Shaking their head from side to side is a common way older infants react to questions or communicate. Though head shaking is common in little ones, it could also indicate neurological or developmental problems. Read this post to learn more about the typical and uncommon reasons babies shake their heads, how to deal with it, and when to consult a doctor.
Normal Causes Of Baby Head-Shaking
If you notice your baby is happy and healthy, then head-shaking is nothing to worry about. Here are a few usual reasons why your baby may shake their head.
1. Developing motor skills
Once your baby’s neck muscles are developed, they test their ability to hold up and move the head. It is a part of normal development. Usually, by the end of the first month, a baby starts moving their head from side to side. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mention that by the age of two months, they can raise their heads while on their tummy (1). It may be jerkier initially due to developing muscle control.
2. Self-soothing
Babies may shake head side to side as a part of self-soothing. It can be a natural tactic to calm themselves down to sleep. You may notice this behavior right before your little one falls asleep. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician in New Jersey, says, “If your baby starts shaking their head from side to side, it may be a sign that they are anxious, overstimulated, or trying to fall asleep. Self-soothing is a completely harmless way for babies to try and make themselves feel better in new situations.”
3. While breastfeeding
While breastfeeding, babies may shake their head to latch. It can be one of the first head movements babies may make. During nursing, they might also shake their head due to excitement. Though your baby may support and move their head side to side, you should support their head while feeding until the age of three months.
4. Playing and interaction
Babies start to move their heads as a part of social interaction in the initial months. You may notice increased head shaking when your baby is excited.
5. Communication
A baby may use head-shake as a mode of non-verbal communication. As the baby grows older, they may shake their head along with making sounds to express emotions or demand something. Dr. Alexander says, “Most babies start shaking their heads to express a ‘no’ between 13 and 15 months old. However, some may start earlier and some may not start until later.”
Baby Head-Shaking Causes That Are Not Normal
If head-shake is associated with other physical and behavioral symptoms, then it could be due to developmental problems or certain medical conditions. We will touch on a few:
6. Ear infection or fluid collection in the middle ear
It leads to pain or discomfort. This will often be associated with fever, crying, and other signs of illness. Ear tugging along with head-shaking may then occur (2).
7. Autism spectrum disorder
Babies with autism tend to shake their head involuntarily. Frequent headbanging is sometimes observed with this disorder. In such cases, check for these associated behavioral traits.
Does not respond to sounds No reaction if you call their name No smile or eye contact
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes that early diagnosis of autism disorders may improve the child’s quality of life due to early interventions and less parental stress (3).
8. Myoclonic epilepsy
Myoclonic head jerks or spasms can be seen in babies during epilepsy. According to the healthcare experts at the Boston Children’s hospital, these seizures tend to occur in clusters and may continue to happen multiple times in a day for several days. This may be due to serious neurological disorders (4).
9. Spasmus nutans
It is a disorder where babies do head-bobbing with rapid eye movement called nystagmus. Sometimes, they may hold their neck in an abnormal position. As per the information available in the US National Library of Medicine, this condition usually occurs between four months and one year of age and resolves later in life (5).
Repetitive Side-To-Side Head-Shaking When Sleeping
Shaking of head side-to-side during sleep can be a symptom of rhythmic movement disorder (RMD). It is a neurological disorder with repeated movement of large muscles before or during sleep, especially in infants. It usually involves head and neck movements and has the following associated symptoms (6).
Headbanging Body-rocking Head-rolling
This condition might be genetic since it is often seen in families and among twins. Seek a doctor’s opinion if you suspect RMD.
When To Consult A Doctor?
You may consult a pediatrician if you notice any of the following events, along with head shaking.
Poor interaction with caregivers Abnormal eye movements Headbanging causing hair loss and injury Increased head-shaking during anxiety Trying to self-hurt Delay in development No response to sounds Head-shaking after two years of age
How To Stop Babies From Shaking Head?
Head shaking may cause dizziness and disorientation in babies, and it may result in falls. It might also increase the risk of hitting the crib, table, or wall. You may follow the following tactics to prevent your baby from head-shaking.
If your baby does it before sleep, then try to find an alternative method to soothe them before they go to bed. If it is due to stress or agitation, then create a calm environment in their room. Giving a massage could help a baby to relax.
If you sense that the baby shakes their head as a way to throw tantrums, then do not give in to their demands. As soon as attention is given (even negative attention) it enhances the behavior.
References:
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