Babies are perplexing little bundles of joy that we can never seem to figure out. One of the most confusing bits of baby behavior is their tendency to shake their heads side to side. First time Parents are often left scratching their heads in confusion and asking, “why do babies shake their head side to side”. Fortunately, there are some answers to this age-old question.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why do babies shake their head side to side, as well as some other common behaviors and why they occur. From smiling and laughing to crying and fussing, we’ll look at what’s behind babies shaking their heads side to side and why it’s so important to understand these behaviors.
10 Reasons Why Babies Shake Their Heads Side to Side (and What You Can Do About It!)
Here are 10 of the most common reasons why babies shake their heads side to side, and what you can do about it. From teething to exploring the world, this would provide you with the insight you need to help your baby. So, let’s dig in and explore the wonderful world of baby head shaking!
Reflex and exploring the world
A major reason behind baby shaking head is because they are exploring the world around them. Newborns have very little understanding of their surroundings, but as they grow and develop, their curiosity is piqued. Babies are in a constant state of exploring the world, and this is often shown in baby’s head shaking.
As your baby grows and develops, their senses of sight, hearing, smell, taste, loud noise and touch will develop and improve. They will have increased hand-eye coordination. Side-to-side movement of neck could be your baby’s attempt to understand new things around him.
If you want to help your baby explore their world while they shake their heads side to side, you can try giving them toys that encourage this exploration. For example, rattles are a great toy for encouraging your baby to explore and engage with the world around them. Some newborns have a reflex called the “startle reflex,” which involves shaking the head side to side. This reflex usually disappears by the time a baby is a few months old.
Teething
Another common reason why do babies shake their head side to side is that when they are teething. If a baby is under 6 months of age and has a low fever, then it’s likely that they are teething. This means that their gums will be sore and irritated, and it’s this discomfort that often leads to babies shaking their heads. It is normal behavior for babies to shake their head when they are in pain because they can’t communicate.
The only way they can communicate their discomfort is by crying, whimpering, and/or by moving around. Head shaking is a sign that they are trying to get rid of the pain they feel in their gums. If you think that your baby might be teething, you can give them a cold teething ring to help soothe the pain.
An Ear Infection
Another reason why babies shake their heads side to side is because they have an ear infection. Ear infections are common in babies, especially when they are teething. An ear infection is when the baby’s ears becomes inflamed and infected, leading to pain, discomfort, and sometimes even fluid discharge from the ear. If you think that your baby has an ear infection, you should seek medical advice.
Hunger
Shaking of the head could be is due to hunger. It’s important for newborns to eat often, as they need to be fed every two to three hours. If your baby has recently eaten but is still crying, whimpering, and shaking their heads side to side, there’s a good chance that they are hungry again. Babies eat very often because their tummies are small and they don’t stay full for long. If your baby is shaking their head side to side because they are hungry, it would be a good idea for you to feed them. You can either feed them the same thing that they just ate again or you can give them something new.
Colic
Another reason why babies shake their heads side to side is because they are colicky. Colic is defined as excessive crying by an otherwise healthy baby. If your baby has colic, they will cry for extended periods of time, often for no known reason. If you think that your baby is colicky, you can try to soothe them by giving tummy time, patting them on the back, swaddling them, or putting them to sleep in a dark, quiet room. If your baby has colic and they are shaking their heads side to side, this can be cause of concern and you should seek medical care.
Reflux
Another reason why babies shake their heads side to side is because they have reflux. Reflux is when the contents of the stomach are regurgitated back up into the esophagus. This often occurs because the sphincter at the top of the stomach is weak. If your baby has reflux, they may shake their heads side to side, cry, cough, and have trouble sleeping. If you think that your baby has reflux, you should take them to a doctor. They can examine your baby, diagnose what is wrong, and prescribe the right treatment.
Irritability
Another reason why do babies shake their head side to side is because they are irritable. Sometimes babies can become irritable because they are hungry or tired. Other times, they are just in a bad mood. This is something that happens in all babies and is completely normal. Irritability often leads to babies crying, whimpering, and/or head shaking. If your baby is irritable, it would be a good idea for you to try and figure out why. If your baby is crying or whimpering, pick them up and try to calm them down. If they are head shaking, you can try giving them something to eat or putting them in a warm bath to help them relax.
Tiredness
Another reason why do babies shake their head side to side is because they are tired. Newborns can be a handful, and it’s not uncommon for them to tire out. This is especially common in the evening when they are winding down for bedtime. If your baby is shaking their head side to side and they are tired, you can try putting them in a dark, quiet room with a bit of white noise to help them relax and fall asleep.
Communication Skills
Babies may shake their heads side to side to show that they don’t want something, such as food or a toy. It could be a way to communicate with you, explore and connect with their surroundings. Babies are constantly learning about the world around them, and shaking their heads side to side could be a way for them to explore their surroundings and learn about the objects and people around them. This could be a sign of playfulness and is normal part of child’s development.
Not Feeling Well
Another reason why do babies shake their head side to side is because they are not feeling well. Babies are very sensitive to their environment, and they are also very susceptible to getting sick. So, if your baby has been exposed to a virus and they are shaking their head side to side, they could be suffering from a bout of sickness. If you think that your baby is not feeling well, take them to the doctor. They can examine your baby and help determine what is wrong. Babies often shake their head side to side when they are not feeling well.
Developmental benefits of head shaking for babies
Shaking their heads side to side can be considered as one of developmental milestones for babies. Here are a few possible ways that head shaking may support a baby’s development –
- It helps to strengthen neck muscles – Shaking their head side to side can help to strengthen the muscles in a baby’s neck, which is important for supporting their overall physical development. Repetitive movements allow baby to develop new skills and have muscle control.
- It helps to develop coordination – Shaking their head side to side can also help to develop a baby’s coordination, as they learn to control the movements of their head and neck.
- It can stimulate the senses – Shaking their head side to side can stimulate a baby’s senses, as they feel the movement and perhaps hear the sound of their head moving. This can help to support their overall sensory development.
- It can encourage exploration -By shaking their head side to side, babies may be exploring their surroundings and learning about the objects and people around them. This can help to support their cognitive development.
- It can help to relieve discomfort -If a baby is shaking their head side to side because they are in discomfort or pain, the jerky movements can help to soothe them and provide some relief.
Should I worry about baby shaking their head side to side
In general, shaking their head side to side is a normal and common behavior for babies. However, if a baby is shaking their head side to side and also experiencing symptoms, such as crying or showing other signs of discomfort or pain, it’s important to try to determine the cause of the distress and address it if necessary. Some possible causes of a baby shaking their head side to side and experiencing other symptoms could include an ear infection, teething, or discomfort due to a foreign object stuck in their ear.
If you’re concerned about your baby shaking their head side to side or any other behavior, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider. They can assess your baby’s overall health and development and provide guidance on any next steps that may be necessary.
When to seek professional help
There are a few situations in which it may be appropriate to seek professional help for a baby shaking their head side to side. Look for the following signs –
- If the shaking is accompanied by other symptoms – If a baby is shaking their head side to side and also experiencing other symptoms, such as crying, fever, ear pain, or trouble sleeping, it could be a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be addressed.
- If the shaking is persistent or intense (violent shaking) – If a baby is shaking their head side to side frequently or with a lot of intensity, it could be a sign of a more serious issue.
- If you have concerns about your baby’s development – If you have concerns about your baby’s overall development, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider especially if there are developmental delays. They can assess your baby’s health and development and provide guidance on any next steps that may be necessary.
What can you do about baby’s head movement
If your baby is shaking their head side to side and you’re not sure why, here are a few things you can try –
Observe your baby – Pay attention to your baby’s behavior, facial expressions and try to determine if there are any patterns or triggers that seem to be associated with the head shaking. This can help you identify any underlying causes of the behavior.
Check for signs of discomfort or pain – If your baby is shaking their head side to side and also crying or showing other signs of discomfort or pain, try to determine the cause of the distress and address it if necessary. This could include checking for a foreign object stuck in the ear, providing pain relief for teething, or seeking medical attention for an ear infection.
Try to soothe your baby -If your baby is shaking their head side to side and appears to be fussy or upset, try using soothing techniques such as rocking, singing, or swaddling to help calm them down.
Consult with a healthcare provider – If you’re still unsure about why your baby is shaking their head side to side, it’s always a good idea to consider medical intervention. An early intervention of reason behind baby’s movements could assess your baby’s overall health and developmental disorder, if any.
Conclusion
When babies are born, they are very delicate creatures, and they can be very fussy. This is because they don’t know very much about the world around them, and they are also very tired from all the work they have had to do to get here. This is why many babies are fussy for the first few weeks after they are born. This is also the reason why babies shake their heads side to side.
Vibrations from crying, whimpering, and head shaking can help a baby release the extra energy they have. They can also help to soothe a baby who is fussy or in pain. This is why babies shake their heads side to side. As a parent, it can be hard to figure out why your baby is shaking their head. This is why it’s important to learn how to tell what your baby is trying to tell you. If your baby is shaking their head side to side, it’s important for you to try and figure out what is wrong.
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