Mad head shaker!

[littlepinkfizz]

My ds has been shaking his head madly from side to side when tired or trying to get to sleep since he was born! He's now 9 mths and still at it! Anyone else out there with a head shaker or what is it all about? I don't think I need to be worried? But it is all a bit bizarre:)

Have you mentioned it to your HV?

It could be self comforting- how's his hearing?

Hears things before they even happen! HV last person I would mention it to as she advised me to give him Wotsits when I was having problems getting him to eat! Can you believe it at 7 months! Unreal

Take your DS to the GP and describe this behaviour to him/her, while it may be normal, it may be a sign that your DS is in discomfort (ear pain for example), or blurred vision or similar problems that might be worse when he's sleepy...... best to be checked in case it's something that needs dealing with.

my 7 month old has been doing this for about 2 months. I posted on here cos I was worried but loads of people said it's normal and they grow out of it.

Perhaps he's creating a 'rocking' motion with his head... does he settle himself doing this or is he crying throughout?

My ds, I can only describe it as 'humps' LOL! Don't know how else to describe it. It used to be highly embarrassing in public! Only done when he's tired or going to sleep. He's always done it since he could move in that way (also coincided with him being encouraged to self-settle). I was really concerned (thought maybe he had something wrong down there) and when I enquired I was told that 'apparently' it's just a movement which is like a rocking motion to him and helps him settle.

My DS did this. We called it "jerky head". Yes, I think it's one of those behaviours that they use to self-settle and generally they grow out of it. I think DS had outgrown it by 9 months, but can't really remember, certainly by 1. He did it very violently when he was a little baby!!! Some of these behaviours stay a bit longer though- as pp said, type of rocking also self comforting behaviour.

thanks folks. i think it is just self settling as he is not distressed in any way by it.Just wanted to check it out with you experts x