Baby Head Shaking: What’s Normal?

Understanding How Babies Move Their Heads

If your baby has been moving their head from side to side while sleeping, nursing, or playing, you might wonder when these movements are part of typical child development and when they might signal a more significant issue.

Normal Causes of Baby Head Movements

If your baby seems happy and healthy, these head movements are likely part of their normal development. Here are common reasons:

  • Developing Motor Skills 

Babies move their heads as they learn to control their bodies. It helps them build the muscles needed to hold up their heads and explore their physical abilities.

  • Self-Soothing Behavior

Some babies shake their heads gently to comfort themselves and fall asleep.

Reasons to Pay Attention

While head movements alone are usually okay, if you notice them along with other symptoms, there might be a concern. Here are some things to watch out for:

  • Ear Infection or Discomfort

If your baby’s head movements come with a cold, fever, or lethargy, or they often tug at their ears, contact your pediatrician. It could be an ear infection.

  • Other Conditions

If head shaking is linked to other unusual behaviors, make an appointment with your healthcare provider for an evaluation. Here are some unusual behaviors to watch for:

  • Non-responsiveness to their name, parent, and sibling voices, or other sounds
  • Doesn’t smile, communicate, or has an unusual gaze
  • Repeats behaviors and movements obsessively
  • Regression of acquired skills, such as language comprehension, verbal, or social skills
  • Frequent and prolonged head banging against crib or wall

Need Help? Contact Us!

If you see unusual head movements in your baby and have worries, it’s a good idea to talk to your baby’s healthcare provider. Woodburn Pediatric is here for you. Your baby’s well-being is our top priority.

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