Baby Shaking Head Side to Side
The short answer
Head shaking in babies is very common and is usually a normal self-soothing behavior or a sign of exploration and play. Many babies shake their head side to side when falling asleep, when excited, or when learning the concept of "no." Ear discomfort from teething or ear infections can also cause head shaking. While persistent or unusual head movements can occasionally indicate a neurological concern, in the vast majority of cases, a baby who is developing normally and shakes their head is simply exploring body movement.
By Age
What to expect by age
Some newborns and young infants shake their head side to side as a self-soothing behavior, especially when trying to latch during breastfeeding (the rooting reflex can look like head shaking) or when settling to sleep. This is normal. If head shaking is constant, looks rhythmic and involuntary, or is accompanied by unusual eye movements, mention it to your pediatrician, as it could indicate a neurological concern in very young infants.
This is the most common age for babies to discover head shaking. They find the sensation interesting and the dizzy feeling amusing. You may see your baby shake their head and then giggle. Head shaking while sitting in a high chair, during play, or when excited is usually just a fun motor experiment. Babies who are teething may shake their head because of referred discomfort from their gums to their ears. Check for other teething signs like drooling, chewing on objects, and irritability.
Around 8-12 months, some babies begin shaking their head to communicate "no" before they can say the word. This is a cognitive milestone - they are connecting a gesture to a meaning they have learned from watching adults. Head shaking when tired or falling asleep (sleep-related rhythmic movement) is also common at this age and is benign. If your baby shakes their head frequently and also pulls at their ears, has a fever, or is unusually fussy, an ear infection should be ruled out.
Toddlers shake their head to say "no" as one of their first communicative gestures. This is normal and healthy communication development. Some toddlers shake their head rhythmically when excited or during play. If head shaking is very frequent, associated with other repetitive behaviors like hand flapping or rocking, or if your toddler seems "stuck" in the behavior and cannot be redirected, discuss it with your pediatrician in the context of a broader developmental assessment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby shakes their head while playing and seems amused by the sensation
- Head shaking occurs when falling asleep and stops once your baby is fully asleep
- Your baby shakes their head to communicate "no" starting around 8-12 months
- Head shaking is occasional and your baby is developing normally in all other areas
- Head shaking started around teething time and your baby also has other teething symptoms
- Head shaking is very frequent and happens many times throughout the day
- Your baby is pulling at their ears alongside head shaking, especially with fever or fussiness
- Head shaking is accompanied by other repetitive movements and your baby has limited social engagement or communication
- Head shaking looks involuntary - your baby cannot seem to stop, and the movements look rhythmic and mechanical rather than playful
- Head shaking is accompanied by unusual eye movements, loss of balance, or your baby seems dazed or confused afterward
- Your baby has sudden onset of rapid head movements with a change in consciousness - this could indicate a seizure
Sources
Related Resources
Related Behavior Concerns
Baby or Toddler Head Banging
Head banging is a surprisingly common self-soothing behavior in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 20% of healthy children. Most children who bang their heads are developing normally and will outgrow it by age 3-4. It typically happens at bedtime or during frustration and is rarely a sign of a serious problem.
Baby Ear Infections (Otitis Media)
Ear infections are one of the most common childhood illnesses, and most children will have at least one by age 3. They are caused by fluid buildup behind the eardrum, often following a cold. While uncomfortable, most ear infections are not dangerous and many resolve on their own, though some need antibiotics.
My Baby Has Jerky Movements
Newborns and young babies often have jerky, uncoordinated movements because their nervous systems are still developing. What looks like random flailing is actually your baby learning how their body works. These movements typically become smoother and more controlled by 3-4 months as motor skills mature.
My Toddler Is Aggressive Toward Pets
Toddlers being rough with pets is extremely common and almost never reflects true aggression or cruelty. Young children lack the motor control to be consistently gentle and do not yet understand that animals feel pain the way they do. With patient, consistent teaching about gentle touch and close supervision, most toddlers learn to interact safely with pets by age 3-4.
My Baby Doesn't Seem Attached to Anyone
By 7-9 months, most babies show clear preferences for their primary caregivers and some wariness of unfamiliar people. If your baby seems equally comfortable with everyone and shows no distress when separated from caregivers, it may simply reflect an easy-going temperament. However, if combined with other social differences, it can occasionally warrant further discussion with your pediatrician.
My Baby Arches Their Back
Back arching is very common in babies and usually a normal way of expressing frustration, discomfort, or just stretching and moving. Most babies arch their backs when upset, tired, or trying to see something. However, persistent arching with crying, especially during feeding, can be a sign of reflux or discomfort that should be discussed with your pediatrician.