7.5 month baby - head shaking

[Gurraun]

My ds is 7.5 months and yesterday afternoon shook his head from side to side (like someone saying no) a couple of times during tea time. Today he has done it a number of times.

A quick look on the internet suggested:-

1. ear ache;or
2. teething pain;or 3)enjoys the sensation; or
3. autism.

I don't think it is ear ache as he had a cold last week and the doctor looked in his ears (he was pulling them) and no infection. I also don't think it is just enjoyment as it tends to be when he is tired/grumpy. My sensible head says it is unlikely to be an early sign of autism given he's hit all his milestones and is a happy little soul who beams at all and sundry, SO
do you wise lot think it is a sign of teething pain, or something else........?

Not particularly worried, but it is a bit odd and just wanted to see if anyone else had experienced it or had views. Thanks :-)

He's probably just doing it because he can :)

(if you google everything your DS does in the coming years you'll drive yourself bananas )

I know! I'm not normally totally neurotic (honestly!). DS has been waking in the night in the aftermath of his cold and I think the sleep deprivation has sent me a bit bonkers!!!

Plus (in my defence) he is quite a stoical little chap and I didn't notice when his bottom teeth came through (until they arrived obviously!) and wondered if this was a subtle sign of teething pain and he might appreciate some calpol!

Thanks for replying :-)

Gosh didn't know it was related to autism. Dd did this at the same age and yes she has autism

My ds did did at that age, and also nodded in the same way. I think he just realised that he knew how to move his head!

Maybe monitor for a week or so and take him to the docs if you're concerned, but it's so likely to be just because he can, especially if he's chirpy with it.

My son (now 14 months) did this at around the same age, and still does now and again. I was worried for a while, then realised I often did an eskimo kiss on his nose with mine, and shook my head while I did it. He was copying me! Now he copies anyone who shakes their head, and giggles.

ds did it at the same age, and then laughed like a drain if you copied him - it became a teatime game for a few weeks, and then he got bored of it. I think they just realise they can do it, and it's quite a funny and nice feeling, so they do it some more.

Hi Gurraun ,
My 6th month old boy is doing the same thing you have described. He started it about a week ago. I would love to know how you got on as it was a month ago when you first posted this?

Thanks,
Olive

My dd did this too, though a bit later at 9 months. She also started saying no no no when doing it and laughing and I put it down to just learning that's what mummy does when she says no. She then got quite poorly (not seriously ill though) and I took her to the doctors and she did indeed have an ear infection. She'd had a few colds and sniffles, but had seemed mostly fine and her ears had been checked about three times in a fairly short space of time. My doctor said that infections can come on quite quickly though.

I'd say if he starts to seem a bit unwell, then take him back to the doctor and they can have a check see if anything's changed - if nothing has then you haven't lost anything more than 15 mins of your time. If he seems OK then don't worry it probably is just developmental or teething - as most things seem to be.

I noticed a lot of my friends' babies doing this and then my own DS doing it - they like the sensation. Try it yourself and you'll feel dizzy.

Remember to treat the child not the symptoms - if he is otherwise fine, let him have his fun. If he's unhappy or not eating or exhibiting other worrying behaviour, ring your doc.

I'm sure it's just a new skill he is practising. Don't worry!

...my dd is doing this too (he's 9 months and has been shaking his head in a 'no' manner for about a month now). I'm not quite sure what it means as he does it with a bit smile on his face. Where did you read about it being linked to autism?

Ds2 (nearly 11 months) has been doing this for a while. He shakes his head about 5 or 6 times and then stops and just looks spaced out for about 30 seconds. He thinks that it's the best fun to be had - ever [hgrin].

Hi everyone -esp Olive

As you'd expect the MNers are right. He still does this a bit but has lots of other fun tricks to try out as well so less time for serious head shaking!!