7-8 month old shakes head side to side

audrey10607

My soon to be 8 month old has started shaking his head from side to side (like saying "no"). I've noticed it more when he's getting sleepy..but sometimes he'll be playing and do it too.

I don't want to freak out, but there's a little part of me that's thinking "please don't be autistic!" 

Is this normal? 

carlypeters21

Yes, totally, in my opinion. DS #1 did it, and he's a healthy, normal 3 -year old and now DS #2 does this. I think it just feels funny to them.

MrsEnglishbride

My son started doing this a few weeks ago. I think he just liked the way it felt when he did it. He has since stopped-- it didn't last long.

ta78

DS did this at about the exact same time as your LO and I thought the exact same thing. I was so worried, it just didn't look like he was doing it on purpose.

Then about a week later he just stopped doing it. Give it a little while and see if it continues before you freak out. I think it's just something new they learned. Soon after he also started crawling and pulling himself up.

 

April4bride

Mine does it too - she'll do it right before she falls asleep.  It's a sign I know she's tired.

JJ1973

I really tend to doubt this is unusual in any way, but if you're worried about it, ask the pediatrician. My LO does this, and when he does it, it is often quite social and related (like a game). I've started doing it back to him, then he does it back to me, etc. And, to and fro imitative social interactions like that are not easily had with children with autism. BTW...I'm an autism specialist

lauraandlee

My two older ones have done it and my LO does it now

driveshorses

DD does this too. When she's in her highchair and getting full, she starts playing around doing this. When I'm changing her diaper, she does it with her whole body like she's itching her back on the floor. Just a new thing she's learned and she likes doing...until the next new thing comes along!

crows1920

April4bride:

Mine does it too - she'll do it right before she falls asleep.  It's a sign I know she's tired.

this. she always does this as she's falling asleep. it's the cause of her rubbing the hair off the back of her head :P 

angelame1979

I never even thought of Autism.  My DD does it to.  Not all the time just randomly.  It's so frickin cute!

Mrs.HisOnly

crows1920:

April4bride:

Mine does it too - she'll do it right before she falls asleep.  It's a sign I know she's tired.

this. she always does this as she's falling asleep. it's the cause of her rubbing the hair off the back of her head :P 

This annndd this lol

kellygreen514

My DS started doing this a few weeks ago and he is right around the same age. It started when he was eating, getting full & not wanting any more, but now he does it if he doesn't like the toy you give him or if I'm putting him in the car seat & he doesn't want to go in. I think it's just something they pick up, maybe from seeing you do it. It never occurred to me that it might have anything to do with being autistic. 

jennygirlmt

DD has been doing this for a while. We thought it was funny and sort of play along, asking her questions where it's funny if she says "no." I think this fuels it on, but I'm sure she started it because it felt good. You have nothing to worry about.