Head shaking in a 3 month old??

[smellymelly]

Hi, I'm new on special needs threads, and I have very little experience, so please help..

My 3 month old ds2 (twin) is a head shaker! He was born 2nd, and had to be resusitated (breaths and compressions) for only a couple of minutes, so we have been a little paranoid about him having any 'problems'. (sorry don't know of a better word yet) He sleeps, feeds, plays, interacts and grasps things very well, but has always 'thrown' himself about, when being held, windede etc. And we have to hold him quite tightly, otherwise he could throw his head so hard we could drop him! He also shakes his head from side to side when lying down or in his bouncer.

He really is a happy chappie, this is our only concern,(except excema, which I will put on another thread), so I guess what I'm looking for is a bit of reassurance, please....

[SleepyJess]

Hi SM

My DS used to do this as a baby too.. and he did go onto have developmental problems, but this is by no means indicative that this will be the case for your DS. To be honest, I think the eczema had more to do with my DS's head shaking/squirming than any of his problems that were later identifed. Once we got his skin sorted (long process.. identified dairy intolerence, I was breast feeding, came right off dairy myseld - for a year! .. eczema all but cleared up within a week.. and has pretty much stayed under control since then.. and he is 4 now!).. he squimed and shook his head around a lot less!

It could be related to a slight issue with muscle tone.. and if you are worried you could get him assessed by a community paediatric physiotherapist. You GP or paediatrican could refer you.. you have a right to ask.. you have twins so you are obviously going to be alert to any profound differences in their physical behaviour. Does he push his tongue in and out of his mouth a lot? My DS used to do this..and there was talk of his tongue being 'too large' etc.. but it wasn't and he doesn't do it now at all.

Try not to worry too much about future scenarios (hard I know)....and get it checked out if you are worried.. but he sounds as if he developing fantastically on the whole.

SJ x

[Davros]

Mine was, and still is, a head shaker and has autism. You're bound to get these sort of responses on here but I agree that it doesn't mean that your DS2 has developmental problems. I think you should speak to someone to get a further assessment or second opinion if poss. But don't worry, I'm sure there are LOTS of head shakers that are fine. Do you have any other concerns? Eye contact, following an object with his eyes, smiling, turning to name/voice, attachment to you other than for food etc etc? These things were clearly problems when my DS was a baby.

[SleepyJess]

SM it really COULD be the eczema.. is he affected round the bag of his neck/back type area? DS used to squirm whenever this area was in contact with anything else..which was sitting in his car seat/bouucy chair/being picked up etc..

SJ x

[Mud]

2 of mine were head shakers from an early age - neither has any developmental problems nor special needs

[SleepyJess]

back of his next obviously.. sigh* I can't type today..

[smellymelly]

def not excema, he only has a few bumps coming on the back of his hand.

[Pages]

Hi. My DS is a head shaker (though less so these days) and does have developmental delay. However, the paed said his son also was until around 18 months and he has no developmental problems. I was also reassured to see my NT and very advanced 2 year old niece shaking her head the other day. The paed told me it is something some babies just like to do cos it is fun, but should be discouraged.

[Twiglett]

How do you discourage a baby from shaking its head though

personally I find it funny, DD does it and does done for a few months (she's almost 11 months now), she also bounces up and down on her bottom and grins manically

please don't worry I really think it can be a natural oo this feels nice kind of thing

[Twiglett]

'does done' 'HAS done'