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Ear infection and baby shaking head

PMEMinnesotaPMEMinnesota
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

Hi Ladies-

I posted something similar to this yesterday prior to my 7 month old son going to the doctor asking for some advice.  So, for the last few days my son has been shaking his head back and forth, as you would when you are saying "no", except he's not saying no- - he just does it randomly, many, many times throughout the day.  It's exactly as you would imagine if someone were saying "no". 

At first I thought it was cute, and he would smile when he did it but then I started to think that it was a little off.  So, I read online about everything it could be and of course, as a first time mom, jumped to the worst case scenario :).  The doctor saw him today and said he has a right ear infection.

I guess I'm confused because don't ear infections hurt?  Until today, he has not acted like he was in any pain at all, and today he only cried a little bit.  In fact, I would say the last week he has been extremely pleasant!!  I know they are the professionals but sometimes I wonder if they diagnose ear infections just because they don't know what else to say.  I am being paranoid I know, but I'm wondering if anyone else has been through this.  I am hoping it is an ear infection and the amoxicillin they gave him will make it go away.

 Has anyone else experienced their child shaking their head "no", then being diagnosed with an ear infection, and then having the head shaking stop once the ear infection better?  I just want to know that it's going to stop.  It makes me so nervous. 

 Thanks for reading this and I appreciate any experience you can share.

 

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Re: Ear infection and baby shaking head

  • katy75katy75

    My DD shakes her head 'no' a lot and it's a game she and her dad play, so I never know if it's an ear ache or not.

    That being said, DD had ear infections from July until about 2 weeks ago - constantly.  She never had a fever, never pulled on her ears, never fussed.  She went through 3 rounds of oral antibiotics and then 3 days in a row of injectible antibiotics.  We go to an ENT in December.  You would NEVER know DD had ear infections.  They got so bad the doctors were floored she didn't fuss or anything and they were concerned about her ear drums bursting.  We go regularly just for ear checks since she doesn't let us know she has an ear infection - at least until we can get in with an ENT.

    DD still shakes her head.  It does make me nervous since it can be a sign of an ear infection, but she just thinks it's a game, at least that's what I think she thinks...

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  • ecoppinsecoppins member

    dd shakes her head when she has one, but she usually develops a fever shortly there after...

    ?the dr says however that that is an unrelated instance. Ear infections apparently are really easy to spot visually. Dd went through a phase when she would get bad double ones, but usually with a cold or something else.??

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  • AlbanyMommyAlbanyMommy

    It's actually a balance thing.  When you have an ear infection your equilibrium is really off.  Shaking your head or rocking can make you feel more stable.

     

    And not all ear infections are painful to all people.  My older son never complained about ear infections, we found them at well visits.  The only time he complained was when his ear drum ruptured!  Even Asher didn't complain about his double ear infection.  He was just playing with his hair differently and tossing and turning his head in his sleep. 

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