Baby keeps shaking his head

Babies are different from adults. Every reaction of theirs actually implies a certain problem. They will keep shaking their heads, which doesn't mean they are expressing rejection or anything, because they don't know how to express their thoughts yet. Therefore, the reason for this problem is probably because there is a pathological problem in their body. Parents should take their babies to see a doctor in time to avoid the continued deterioration of this phenomenon.

1. Imperfect development of the nervous system

Newborn babies often shake their heads from side to side, hold their bodies until their faces turn red, and suddenly have whole body tremors. These are usually normal physiological phenomena. This is mainly because the baby's nervous system is not yet fully developed, and the substance wrapped around the nerve fibers - the myelin sheath is also in the process of development. The myelination of nerve fibers is a necessary condition for nerve conduction without interference. If the myelin sheath, the "insulator", is not fully developed, it is easy for nerve fibers to take the wrong path when transmitting information, causing the nerve excitability to spread, leading to shaking of the head, fingers or body.

Solution:

As the baby grows, the nervous system will develop more and more fully, and these symptoms will gradually disappear. Therefore, if the baby's physical development is normal and there are no other abnormalities, parents do not need to worry too much.

2. Uncomfortable sleeping

When the baby keeps shaking his head while sleeping, parents should first determine whether the room temperature is too high or the quilt is too thick. These situations will cause the baby to sweat more, the back of the head will be irritated by sweat, and the skin on the head will become itchy. The baby will then relieve the itching by shaking his head and rubbing the pillow, which may cause baldness on the pillow in the long run. In addition, if the pillow is too hard or too high, making the baby sleep uncomfortably, he will protest by shaking his head constantly.

Solution:

When the baby is sleeping, it is best for parents to keep the room temperature at around 25 degrees and change to a slightly thinner quilt. In addition, the pillow for the baby should be small and thin, and do not give him an adult pillow. The pillow surface should preferably be made of cotton, a more comfortable and less sensitive material. It is better to choose more stable materials for filling, such as traditional buckwheat husk. Do not choose fillings that may cause respiratory sensitivity, such as feathers, down, etc.

3. Expression of Will

Babies aged 6-10 months are also more likely to shake their heads, which often happens when they are happy, unhappy or about to fall asleep. Babies usually shake their heads while laughing or having an irritated expression, and each time they shake their heads quickly a dozen times, lasting about five or six seconds. Doing this can make the baby feel happy or relieve unhappy emotions, so in most cases this is just a way for the baby to express his wishes and enjoy himself.

In addition, when the baby is seven or eight months old, he will be very interested in imitation. When babies see adults shaking their heads, they will find it very interesting and will keep imitating them. Also, when babies hear their favorite music, they will express their feelings about the rhythm of the music through actions such as shaking their heads and waving their hands. These are normal and healthy behaviors.

Solution:

If the baby is just shaking his head and his mental state, appetite, etc. are normal, there is no need to worry. However, you can teach your baby some other movements, which can help the baby's growth and development.

4. Imperfect development of the vestibular system

If your baby often shakes his head or even bangs his head or sways his body, it may be due to incomplete development of the vestibular system. The vestibule is an organ that maintains balance and is located in the petrous part of the temporal bone of the skull, which is also the inner ear. There is usually a stage of "self-stimulation" in the process of improving vestibular function, which will make the baby feel dizzy. At this time, this discomfort can only be slightly relieved by doing some more intense actions, such as shaking the head, pulling the ears, swaying the body, jumping up and down, or even hitting the head against other objects.

Solution:

This vestibular self-stimulation stage usually occurs when the baby is 6-8 months old. It can disappear in a short period of time or last for a longer period of time, but it will mostly disappear when the baby is around 1 and a half years old. Mothers can promote the development of the vestibular system by massaging their baby's ears, spinning around in their arms, swinging their baby in a swing or playing in a swivel chair.

5. Eczema

Eczema is a common skin disease in infants and young children, characterized by extreme itching of the affected area, often accompanied by a burning sensation. Examination reveals small spotted red rashes, blisters, and serous exudation on the skin around the auricle. Because the baby is young, he cannot express his feelings with words and can only tell his mother that he is uncomfortable by shaking his head, crying, etc.

Solution:

The most effective way to treat eczema is: topical hormone drugs + moisturizing. Baby eczema is generally treated with weak or medium-acting hormones, and short-term intermittent topical use is very safe, so parents do not need to resist or be afraid. Commonly used topical hormone medications for infants and young children include dexamethasone cream, desonide cream, and euterpe cream. Generally apply it to the affected area twice a day, gently massage, and apply a thin layer. After the condition improves, you can use the "step method" to gradually reduce the dosage, transitioning to once a day to twice a week.

After stopping the use of topical hormonal medications, you should apply moisturizer all over your body to improve the skin barrier function and reduce the recurrence of eczema. So how much moisturizer should be applied each time? The dosage must be large enough to make the skin look shiny and lustrous.

6. Calcium deficiency

When babies are calcium deficient, they will also shake their heads, and may also be accompanied by crying, poor sleep quality (difficulty falling asleep, night terrors, early awakening), developmental delay, and excessive sweating (not related to climate or how much clothes they wear). Excessive sweating can easily lead to itching on the head, prompting the baby to relieve the itchy feeling by constantly shaking his head and rubbing the pillow.

However, Kangaroo Mama needs to remind all parents that sweating alone cannot be diagnosed as calcium deficiency. Calcium deficiency should be considered based on a variety of symptoms, and a bone density test must be done in the hospital for a confirmed diagnosis.

Solution:

Most babies are not really calcium deficient, but because of the lack of vitamin D in the body, which affects the absorption of calcium ions. Therefore, the Chinese Dietary Reference Intake of Nutrients (2013) recommends that babies should be supplemented with vitamin D from birth to promote calcium absorption, with a supplemental dose of 400-800 units/day.

In addition, you should take your baby to get some sunbathing, and ensure that your baby spends at least 2 hours outdoors each week. Because sunlight shines on the skin, it converts dehydroxycholesterol, a component in the skin, into vitamin D, which can reduce the occurrence of vitamin D deficiency rickets. But it should be noted that you should try to avoid taking your baby for outdoor activities between 10:00-16:00.

7. Otitis media

If the baby not only likes to shake his head, but also scratches his ears, cries, has a runny nose, is irritable, has ear pain, fever, pus in the ears, and sleeps poorly, mothers should pay attention to whether the baby has otitis media.

Solution:

When a baby gets otitis media, parents should take the child to the hospital in time and choose antibiotics and local treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Never take medicine on your own to avoid the baby not receiving thorough treatment and leaving hidden dangers.

8. Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome is common in children aged 5 to 7 years old, and is more common in children who are introverted, shy, timid, sensitive, and unsociable. The symptoms will worsen when they encounter unpleasant things or have a cold or are tired.

In addition to shaking their heads, children with this disease also have symptoms such as blinking, frowning, grinning, twisting their necks, sticking out their tongues, shrugging their shoulders, shaking their hands, and stamping their feet. They frequently make involuntary, meaningless, and monotonous sounds in their throats or noses, such as humming, haha, and ah, with varying tones. If tics are not treated promptly, they can persist into adulthood, affecting normal life and study.

Solution:

If you suspect your child may be ill, don't panic, but take him to a regular hospital for treatment as soon as possible. In addition, parents should give him more psychological support in normal times. No matter how irritating his actions are, parents should not lose their temper with him, imitate him, or make fun of him. We should also encourage and guide children to participate in various games and sports activities of interest to divert their attention, cheer them up and relax them.