My daughter is soon to be 11 months when she was about 8 months she has started shrugging her shoulder towards her ear. She is smiling when she does it and gives her that bashful look... I had the doctor check her ears twice when we went in for her 9 month visit because she had just started this and her ears do seem to build up wax fast but she said they looked good. Now for about the past two weeks she is shaking her head from side to side like she is saying "No" I think it is cute because I see her do it most when we are around people talking or when she is getting comfy in bed.
My problem is that yesterday my husband started searching the internet to see why she does this? Of course the internet gives you such horrible things: tumors, seizures, neourvous system problems, vision or hearing problems, tics. He is calling the doctor today to see if we should be concerned or bring her in but I was wondering do any of you mommies out there notice that your babies do this? I think it is merely developmental but can not convince my husband otherwise. In no other ways does she show curious behavior and she is right on target or ahead with all her milestones.
Went to the Doc. today and she wasn't concerned at all. She said it could be one of the following. Personality, Mimicking, Teething pain or just something she likes to do. She checked her ears and everything was good. She has grown 1 pound and 1 1/4 inches in 2 months. I am not really concerned AS MUCH anymore but there is still that "fear" or anxiety in the back of my mind. I will do my best to ignore it and hopefully it just fades away. Thanks for the help -- Proud PaPa. www.charlieraye.com <<<< see our lovely and beautiful daughter here. Thanks for all the help guys..
OH YEAH, she does have a molar coming in so that might explain it as well. She has been teething for FOREVER now. thanks again!!
My daughter shakes her head as well. It also gets me to laughing with her since she is having such a good time when she does it. When I asked the doctor he was not concerned AT ALL! He said she probably just likes it and gets a good reaction when she does it. She is also constantly pulling on her ears and never has an ear infection, drives me crazy! I keep thinking there must be something wrong and there never is. It's good though.
I would recommend a book called the Crystal Children by Doreen Virtue, PH.D. This might help.
Love and Light,
Rev. G. Hudson, Reiki Master
www.reikigailhudson.com
My son did the head shaking too and also covered his ears alot when he would talk/babble but everything is fine. The doctor never seemed alarmed or concerned...of course we were, but all is fine just a developmental thing.
Please email me and tell me what the dr. says b/c my little boy does the same thing. My husband isn't concerned at all but I always watched it. So I wasn't sure. I never looked it up I just wanted to see if he kept doing it. He is 14 months so we figured it was his way of expressing himself. I find myself shaking my head no at him all the time. My husband thinks he mimicks me so I have really tried not doing it. I also heard that when they are teething and he is in process of getting his molars they don't really understand where the pain comes from. So they touch their ears, face, shake their head. So please let me know what your Dr. says....I would apprecaite it. Please email me at ____@____.com
thanks R.
You really need to be careful about what you read on the Internet. If you don't really know where the information is coming from or if it a reputable person, then it may not be accurate. Plus you are getting into an area of self diagnosing. The best thing to do is if you are concerned make an appointment with the pediatrician to put your mind at ease. However, my 11 month old shakes her head back and forth while smiling. We call her our "little dancer". She has done this since maybe 6 months old - does it when she gets excited. Good luck!
If your husband is concerned I would check it out...not sure the typical pedi will help but maybe yours is more in tune and will listen to your concerns. With her doing it when stimulated and when trying to rest (under stimulated) it could be a way for her to regulate her sensory system....It does not sound serious but if you are noticing that much and concerned I would play it safe.....
Hi K..
My daughter started doing the same thing around 9 months. She is perfectly healthy and happy. I believe it is a new sensation for them. I totally understand not wanting to overlook something that could be wrong with them, but I do see my daughter doing it often too. I wouldn't worry unless there are other signs or symptoms.
I have to say it's probably just something she has learned she can do and likes the reactions she is getting. My daughter was sticking her tongue in and out for a week because it was something new to her. They are trying out the mechanics of their bodies and with each stage it is something new. I would say if she doesn't seem to be in pain and isn't running a fever, it's probably nothing. Still, if your husband is concerned, take her to the dr. All first time parent spend more time at the dr than those who have had more than one. At least, that is what I am told every time I get overly concerned about something new. :)
Your husband is right to get this checked out. I've seen this before with other client and it can absolutely be a symptom of a more serious problem. Your pediatrician will most likely refer you to a neurologist who will most likely want to do an MRI. She will have to be sedated for the MRI. I HATE medications for children as a rule and try to do things as naturally as possible, BUT I would go ahead and do the MRI with sedation. You need to rule out some things that only the MRI will tell you.
K., shaking your head and shrugging your shoulders are NOT developmental. That's my specialty. Please feel free to contact me again if you have questions. I would be glad to help.
I don't have any expertise to offer, but my 3 month old both shrugs one shoulder and shakes her head. She shrugs one shoulder especially when she eats, or is about to eat. Go figure! :) And she shakes her head when settling herself down to sleep in her crib. I read somewhere that it's common for babies to shake their head (albeit gently) when settling for sleep.
My daughter is 8 months and shakes her head a lot, usually while people are talking also, you don't realize how often adults shake their heads when they talk, and the little ones copy. If everything else is going okay I wouldn't worry. Doesn't hurt to talk to her doctor, but really she's probably seeing adults shake their heads (even slightly) and copying it.
No shrugs for my baby, although she does smile, give a bashful look and peer around the side of her highchair. So cute.
Enjoy your little one, I'm sure she's pretty fine!
If I remember correctly, my kiddos went thru phases of doing things like this. They learn something new, it makes them feel funny or see things differently, so they do it over and over! (She will also continue to do it to get a reaction out of you.) If the pediatrician doesn't seem concerned, then I would just pass it off as another phase, a new movement figured out, and smile back at her! :)
K., I have an 11mo, too. She does shake her head no quite a bit. I shake my head too when I am saying no. My 3yo did the shrugging thing when she was a baby. Sounds normal but, piece of mind is priceless.
My daughter does this and she's 9 months old. she also shrugs her shoulders. My 5 yr old did this when she was around that age too. PLEASE don't be worried. With my first I used to always worry that something was wrong but rest assured she is perfectly fine. I think babies shake their head from side to side because it makes them dizzy and as for shrugging, she even gives herself chills when she does it sometimes. This is totally normal and I would not worry about anything until you really see some questionable behavior that could hurt her. Tell your husband no worries... if she's smiling.. he should smile too ;0)
My daughter is 7mo. and she shakes her head no too. I think it is just developmental. I wouldn't worry about it. You could always bring it up at your next doctors visit to see what they say.
