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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Flinging head violently to one side

7 replies

BBear · 27/07/2007 22:11

My 12 week old has started flinging his head to the right quite violently during naps and early in the morning - what is going on? He flings it so hard that it bounces around. He has a flat head on right side and I've been putting him to sleep on his left side (until he wakes for his 5am feed and then goes on his back - tolerates side positioner last thing at night as he's just fed and is really sleepy) Is he trying to get his head on the flat spot as it's more comfortable ? I'm worried he's going to hurt himself! Any advice please...

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octo · 27/07/2007 22:17

Why doesn't he sleep on his back all the time? It sounds like he is trying to get comfy - mine shakes his head from side to side when he is overtired or wakes up and is trying to get back to sleep.

Washersaurus · 27/07/2007 22:18

My DS routinely 'rocked' himself to sleep like this for months (from a few months old to quite recently - he is now 2).

He did it so violently sometimes that he had friction burn injuries on his head from travel cots, and also suffered numerous bumps and bruises from the cot sides. I had to put the cot bumper back on the cot to stop him from banging himself too hard.

The doctor thought it was nothing to worry about when I mentioned it. I think it maybe hereditary though as I can remember my brothers doing it when they were younger.

DS has always been a good sleeper so I didn't feel the need to worry about this behaviour too much, it was just his way of getting himself off to sleep.

I made sure I mentioned it to anyone who looked after him though incase they thought he was some kind of nutter

startouchedtrinity · 27/07/2007 22:20

Have you been advised not to have him sleep on his back? If not then I'd put him on his back for his sleep.

bookthief · 27/07/2007 22:23

Ds had a bald spot from rubbing his head from side to side in his sleep. He grew out of it when he was able to turn over himself and choose his own sleeping position (mainly on his front). Sounds pretty normal to me.

brimfull · 27/07/2007 22:29

my ds used to rock his head from side to side to get to sleep when he was a baby.He is 4.5yrs now and he lies on his tummy now and bangs his leg repeatedly to get to sleep .we cqan here it all over the house.

I wouldn't worry it's probably a phase.

Washersaurus · 27/07/2007 22:31

Bookthief - you could be right about them being able to choose their own position, as DS now does prefer to sleep on his front or side (with his bum in the air usually) and hasn't rocked himself to sleep for months.

I'm sure it is just a phase that they grow out of.

Original poster

BBear · 28/07/2007 21:57

I don't put him on his back all the time as one side of his head is really flat and I don't want to get into the whole helmet thing...so am trying to vary his sleeping position (on left then right side then back) - he only flings his head around when he is on his back... weird but normal I guess - thank you ladies...

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