Baby shakes his head and pulls his hair before sleep
⚡ Short answer: Head shaking, hair pulling, ear play before sleep are self-soothing behaviors and are common between 6-12 months; if crying or fever is present, ask your doctor about ear infection.
Anonymous
9 aylık bebek annesi · Sleep
My baby shakes his head side to side as he falls asleep, sometimes pulls his own hair or plays with his ears. Should I be worried?
Maiyko AI ADVISOR
The real reply from the in-app AI advisor
It's very natural to notice these behaviors — most parents feel concerned when they first see them. I don't know exactly how old your baby is, but generally:
Why he's likely doing this: Babies develop rhythmic movements to soothe themselves as they fall asleep. Head shaking, hair pulling, ear play — these are all self-soothing behaviors. They're common between 6-12 months and usually aren't a problem.
When to see a doctor:
- If he's pulling his ears while crying, seeming uncomfortable, or has a fever → ask your pediatrician about a possible ear infection.
- If the head shaking is very intense, happens outside of sleep too, or if you notice he's losing eye contact or smiling less than before.
If these movements happen while your baby is calm, falling asleep, and seems happy during the day, it's probably just a normal part of his development. If you're uneasy, mentioning it to your pediatrician won't hurt — hearing about it once is reassuring.
⚕️ Health note: This answer is for general information only; it is not medical advice. Every baby is different — for decisions about your baby's health, consult your pediatrician.
This answer is general — yours can be personal 🐦
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