Baby Moving Head Side to Side Rapidly: When to Be Concerned?
Being a parent is like wearing your heart on your sleeves. A slight change in your baby’s behavior can set you off.
One common thing that scares parents is when their baby is shaking his head from side to side rapidly. The worst thing is that the parents don’t know the reason why.
Is there something bothering the baby? Is this the symptom of something major? Do you have to contact a pediatrician right now?
Calm down.
Your baby might be shaking his head for any reason, and most of the time, it’s nothing serious. There are various reasons why he might be shaking his head. We have explored all the reasons and provided you with the correct answer.
Why is My Baby Moving Head from Side to Side Rapidly?
When your baby moves his head from side to side, it is usually because he is playful and trying to interact with you. However, depending on their age and physical condition, your baby may start shaking his head or moving their head.
It is just a sign to say yes or no when your baby turns one year of age; typically, during the first few weeks or after birth, babies show jerky movement as part of their development. They are only trying to control their muscles. As a parent, you will worry about seeing your baby shaking their head.
If your child is six months old, it’s a sign that they are trying to communicate with you. But that’s only one of the many things they want to express through head movement.
Communication is just one of many reasons why he is shaking his head. But there are other reasons why they might be shaking their head. Following are some of the most important reasons why your baby is moving his head from side to side —
Mastering His Head Movements
Your little one is more observant than you know. In the early months of their birth, they try to gain more control over their body, including their head. Since they see many people around them, they might try to imitate what others are doing. Your child might be trying to copy the head movements of others and gain control over their shoulder muscles.
If this is the case, then there’s no need to worry if your baby is moving their head side by side. He is just trying to master his head movement.
Display Signs of Fatigue
Your baby moving his head from side to side may suggest signs of fatigue. But this sign may not always be true. If your baby is tired, they may try to move their head to soothe themselves during sleep.
Moving their head or shaking it is a self-soothing technique your baby is trying. They do this when they are tired and trying to fall asleep. If your baby shakes his head during sleep, it’s because they are fatigued and trying to soothe themselves.
Ear Infection
Ear Infection is one of many reasons your baby’s head moves from side to side. If your baby has an ear infection or his gums are hurting, they might feel uncomfortable. It’s normal for them to shake their head from side to side.
One common reason is teething. When teething, your baby might move his head from side to side. But, if that accompanies a rise in temperature, cold, and other discomfort, it’s best to seek medical help.
Trying to Latch During Breastfeeding
If your baby is nursing and trying to latch on, they may shake their head. It’s important to support your baby’s head when moving his head from one side to another.
When he’s getting used to nursing, he may find it exciting and start moving his head from side to side. Please try to support his head during this time and help him stay firm as he breastfeeds.
Shaking his head to Play
Should you worry when your baby moves his head from side to side? Well, asking a question back to you: is he doing that while playing? If yes, there’s no need to be concerned. Your baby moving his head from side to side while playing isn’t concerning. They are just having fun. This happens when they are at 6 to 8 months of their lifetime. Your baby is only impersonating the behaviors of others.
Testing their Limits
Your baby is getting stronger. They’ll need something to hold on to as they reach the 5 to 6-month threshold in life. Yes, it might seem a little scary at first, but your baby is shaking his head for a reason.
When he’s shaking his head a lot it’s a sign that he’s trying to sit up straight. Such shaking of their head does not seem painful or anything. Also, it does not last for more than a few minutes. So, you need not worry. Your work will get sorted.
Epilepsy Can be a Reason
Why is my baby moving its head from side to side? Epilepsy is a reason why your baby’s head might shake or move for a short period—the baby’s head jerks or shakes during epilepsy.
Myoclonic jerks are forceful happen suddenly and occur multiple times a day. It can go on for several days. Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder and it’s essential to notice it and take your child to a pediatrician for medical help.
Neurological Issues
Moving their head from side to side is common. But, if your baby can’t control it, it can indicate other neurological disorders. It can suggest that your baby might be developing a tic or developing autistic signs.
However, these are assumptions, and you must seek medical help to find out why they are moving their head. In case of a neurological disorder, your baby might be showing other atypical movements.
Shudder Attacks are a Reason
Although it’s scarce among newborns and babies only a few months old, shudder attacks are possible reasons your baby is moving his head.
Furthermore, in rare cases, a shudder attack can occur spontaneously and make the baby’s head shiver. The body movement can expand up to your baby’s head making it seem like they are moving their head from side to side.
When to be Concerned?
No, typically there’s no need to be concerned for most of the reasons we have explained above. However, sometimes, the underlying cause might be severe.
Following are some symptoms that you should be worried about –
- Poor interaction with parents and siblings
- Abnormal eye movements or lack of eye contact
- Lack of response to sounds and voices
- Frequent and prolonged head-banging
Some of these symptoms may be connected to autism or spasmus nutans. Severe cases like shaken baby syndrome may also happen due to a brain injury.
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you notice any concerning symptoms or have questions about your baby’s head-shaking behavior, it is important to consult with a pediatrician. They can assess your child’s development and determine if further evaluation is necessary.
In some cases, immediate medical care may be required, such as if you suspect an injury or if your baby is experiencing seizures. Your pediatrician may recommend diagnostic tests, such as a CT scan, MRI, or electroretinography, to rule out underlying conditions.
Hopefully, this article answers your queries. Let us know what’s your takeaway from this article through the comment section. Thank you for reading.
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