8 month old shaking head - defiant already?!

[Greedygirl]

My DS has taken to shaking his head, of course I don't really think he is saying no but just wondered if I ought to go and get him checked out at the doctors (thought he might have something wrong with his ears) or if he has just learned how to shake his head and feels compelled to keep practising. Is this normal?

My ds did this for a while, it seemed to be a phase, the doctor said he was just practising a new skill that he had learnt!

Cool - thought this was the case! And I am always shaking my head at him because my ponytail makes him giggle!

Aw, sounds like he is copying you.

He's just copying you.
My dd (9 months) started clapping today for the first time, she's copying me and dp who clap everytime we praise her.
She's spent all day clapping, her hands must be a little sore by now!

DD2 does this too. I mentioned it to a paediatrician (we were seeing her for other reasons) but she didn't suggest anything (although she did mention it in her report, i.e. that mum mentioned the baby head shaking). I think it's just a phase, although I don't remember the others doing it.

Well he doesn't quite get the same effect as me as his is a baldy baby! How sweet Foxy, little pink hands! I'll have to see what else I can teach him as the shaking head thing looks a bit bizarre.

It's very cute to watch. I think its amazing what they pick up so young

My ds did this from 7 months, god knows why but he started saying 'aaaahhhhhhh' at the same time and laughing when his voice went up and down. He still does it now occassionally and he's 11 months!

My DS has done this for 3 months now. I've done a LOT of reading up on it as I thought it was strange to begin with. It could be that he is enjoying a new skill, he is tired and the motion helps put him to sleep, or he likes feeling dizzy (heh heh that one made me chuckle when HV said it).

My DD (10 months) does this and i know she definitely means it. When feeding if she gets to the stage where she doesn't want any more food she shakes her head and waves her hand in front of her face to reinforce the fact that she really doesn't want any more.

Also if she is doing something she should be my husband will normally say 'Caitlin, no' and she shakes her head and says 'nah'. Little minx.

Oh good, my 7 mo DD does this too, very enthusiastically in fact, so much so that it's not an obvious indication of refusal or copying either. Agree it looks a bit strange at times

Yes, normal. They like the feeling.

Thank god, he has been shaking his head all around town today and if it wasn't for you lot telling me that it is normal, I would be taking him to see the doctor tomorrow!

ds used to do this a lot. Made me feel dizzy just watching him but he loved it. Strange things, kids...

My DS used to do this loads and still does occasionally (he is almost 9 months). He would do it when trying to get to sleep as a kind of self soothing thing. I don't think it means anything sinister, rather just things they are picking up and learning!

My DS also did this from about 8 months till quite recently, he's now 14 months and still does it very occasionally if really tired. It was a bit freaky to see, I also wondered why, but at least I know now he wasn't the only one!