infant head shaking through out the day?

Question

About 3 days ago my 11 month old son started shaking his head from side to side through out the day I was worried it was because he was autism or has tourettes, So I took him to the Dr She said she thinks its just a behavioral thing but to me i still fee weird about it. I have seen other kids do things over and over like rock back and forth ect never shake there head. I don't know if im over reacting being a first time mom, Does anyone have any answers to help easy my mind.

Answer 1

My 16 month old daughter shakes her head. She has done it from about 12 months old. It looks like she's shaking her head "no." It isn't a behavioural issue, and your son isn't sick. He's just figured out that he can shake it, and he thinks it is pretty neat. Wait til you see all the other things he learns. Like knocking his head on the wall, and blinking his eyes really hard over and over. He's just discovering his body. Perfectly normal.

Answer 2

It sounds normal to me. As long as he is not losing consciousness, is responsive and is just shaking his head back n forth it's a normal stage most babies go through. They have discovered that their head can move in all kinds of directions and it's actually kinda fun to do. It probably means your child will be the kind who enjoys ALL the amusement part rides. HOWEVER, if you REALLY feel that there is something not right with your child, get a second or third or fifth opinion! Whatever it takes! When my son was around 6 months old I told his dr that I was sure he was having seizures, but his dr didn't take me seriously and said it was just him exploring making faces. To make a long story short, my son nearly died of a brain tumor that was the cause of his seizures. So if you really think it's more than just the normal phase of shaking his head back n forth or even banging it on the back of the carseat or highchair over and over then keep pushing for an answer. You have to be loud and constant otherwise they will blow you off and send you home every time.

Answer 3

Can he be distracted from the head shaking? Does he do it when he eats? Are there times when he doesn't do it?

If it's a disorder, you won't be able to distract him from it and he'll do it all the time, perhaps even in his sleep. My younger son did it for a while and it turned out he was "playing with his vision", or so his doctor said. He described it as "comparing the two views from different eyes or watching the optical illusion of things seeming to move". In any event, my son stopped it within a few days or so. (At the time, the pediatrician told me he thought only a very intellegent boy would do such a thing. A VERY good tactic for soothing the nerves of a concerned young mother!)

Answer 4

Ok, IF he shakes his head and does something else, like roll his eyes, have a distant look, or gets sleepy afterwards, go get a second opinion first thing monday. It'd be helpful if you could take him to the ER while he's doing it, just to be on the safe side.
If he's playing or exploring, you as a mother will be the first to know.
Remember us moms have a gut feeling that almost never fails, so if you feel it is not normal, look more into it until you are satisfied with the explanation.

Answer 5

I knew this little girl that would always shrug her shoulders as she walked around the house. It's a behavorial thing and you should not worry. Babies at that age will find weird things to do. My shakes her head all the time but only because she's saying no. Lately, she's been spinning around, getting herself dizzy and falling down. Your son will go through many different phases. Good luck and enjoy this age... once they hit 2 or 3.. they become brats.

Answer 6

my son does the same thing even at the age of 15 months. nothing is wrong with it. autism can only be diagnosed at least on the baby's second year because that's the time the baby should be able to respond to you. and even at 2 years old, he might still do it and add so much more movements but thats usually because he is enjoying it. on a personal observation its usually the case of "only child in the house" situation. try to go to parks or pplaces where there are other kids, babies his age and youll see he will stop doing it.

Answer 7

My children did the same thing.

We as moms have to remember that a human being learns more in their first year than they will ever learn in their life. So when they discover something new, they have repetition with thier new discovery. Its just like when they discover their tongue, they will play with it, click it, chew on it, stick it in and out, etc.

I am sure that this is all it is. It seems that you have taken the right steps to see that your child is healthy. If the doctor has any concerns, I am sure that he will let you know.

If this still does not ease your mind, get a second opinion.

Your a good mom, Im sure. Just enjoy their new discoveries, they grow up fast.

Answer 8

My son has done this from time to time and he does it to keep himself from taking a nap. If he is tired, he will shake his head back and forth to keep himself awake. He is 2.5 years old now and still does it sometimes. It took me awhile to figure it out, but if he is fighting sleep, that is one of his little mechanisms to do it.

If it is something you are truly concerned about, a second opinion can not hurt anything.

Congrats on your little guy!

Answer 9

My son is 10 1/2 months and he was doing that last month, but stopped. I think it's just something they figured out how to do. My son would do it, stop and then laugh. I don't think it's a behavior problem at all. Just experimenting.

Answer 10

I'm sure there is nothing to worry about. My kids went through that stage as well...I think they liked the way it made them feel dizzy cuz they always laughed and when they got older, they switched to spinning around in circles. Just keep on eye on him so he doesn't fall over and if yer still worried about bigger issues, there will be more than one sign showing you that there is a prob.