Head rocking side to side occassionally eye rolling in highchair

[Lala2022]

Hi there,

First time posting on a forum like this but I notice lots of people posting similar things so just seeking reassurance and interested in other peoples outcomes.

My DS, 8 months old, has been rocking his head side to side, like shoulder to shoulder and occasionally rolling his eyes upwards for a few weeks now. It happens when he’s eating in highchair (loves food) and sometimes in activity bouncer when music is on. Originally thought he was dancing but now the eye rolling is freaking me out. He doesn’t seem to lose consciousness. And most times can be snapped out of it and sometimes giggles following. He had a bad episode of the eye rolling yesterday in response to some music so I’m off to the doctors today. Anyone else experienced anything similar?

Could it be linked to reflux? He was a very hiccupy baby in first few months. Thanks in advance!

My DD used to do this in her highchair, I think I even posted about it here! I found it quite unnerving at the time, but it was just some sort of habit or sensory thing, she grew out of it soon enough and now she is nearly eight and totally fine.

It's probably fine, but maybe look up infantile spasms, just in case. Might be worth recording what she does to show to your Dr tomorrow xx

Thanks for your responses!

Doctor also thinks sensory but as you say - very unnerving! I showed my OT friend who works with a lot of epilepsy today and she said sensory but will continue to monitor. 😊@Katnissx @lakequeen

My DD did this, she grew out of it by the time she was walking.

Sound sensory seeking to me particularly as it’s specific to being in his high chair or bouncer

@Lala2022 I have been desperately searching for something similar, my little girl has been rocking her head side to side and then has started rolling her eyes in the high chair. Did you get any answers? I’m feeling so anxious. Thank you.

@Purplescrubs oh the anxiety was awful with this. He just stopped doing it almost as quickly as it started. I can’t recall how long it took but he’s 18 months now and it’s a distant memory. Just thought it felt good I suppose. Hope yours gets over it too soon. :) we did keep telling him to stop and he understood. Ha. Good luck!