6mo shaking head rhythmically in short bursts...

[alittleteapot]

otherwise seems totally fine but we have noticed him shaking his head rhythmically (as if saying no no no - or a bit like rooting but he's not) for a few seconds a few times a day. Has anyone else's baby done this and any ideas why? One friend said her baby did something similar and she took him to doc and said mild ear infection. I'm wondering if I should take him in or if he's just trying out a new trick.

Dd2 (11 months) does it, she started with it 2 or three months ago. Dd1 did it to at the same age. Neither of them were ill, I think they just do it for the fun of it & because they are copying us shaking our heads. Dd2 particularly thinks it hilarious and smiles & giggles to herself whilst shaking her head! It's quite sweet that she is now starting to understand that it means no, and she will quite often do it in response to being told no. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you, but if you have any other reason to suspect an ear infection then take him along to the doc's.

thanks very much. i just googled "baby shaking head" and there are loads out there who seem to do it, so i feel reassured.

It is normal, but it could also be an ear infection, so don't rule that out, especially if there are other signs - temperature, grizzling.

Sometimes it can be to do with mild teething pain, and sometimes if they do it while lying down on their backs it's because they are rubbing the backs of their heads to relieve an itch. DS does it a lot after first learning it from an ear infection, always panics me a bit but you'd know from his towering mood and the fact that you hadn't slept for a week if it was an ear infection.

My DS has done it since he was 6 months and still does it occasionally now - whenever the smoke alarm goes off or the vaccum cleaner is on its nothing to worry about, honestly.

My DD started doing this at around 10 mo and like TheFowlAndThePussycat's DD2, my DD seemed to think it was funny so I would join in and we would both end up in stitches Your DS might just be doing it because he can! They copy gestures that you don't even realise you are doing, my DD is currently into shrugging and putting her fingers to her lips and going SHHHH (both of which are hilarious to her).

You could ask your HV or GP if you are worried, better to get reassurance from a professional if your DS seems to be in pain.