What are the reasons for a three-month-old baby constantly shaking their head?

May 10, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Ma Yan
Introduction
A 3-month-old baby constantly shaking their head may be due to the nervous system still being in a developmental stage, where obstacles in neural signaling can lead to increased neural excitability. It could also result from an allergic reaction to clothing or bedding materials, causing discomfort that the baby attempts to relieve by shaking their head. Additionally, a deficiency of calcium in the body may increase neural excitability, leading to persistent head shaking.

A 3-month-old baby constantly shaking their head may be due to physiological factors, or it could result from pathological causes such as allergies or calcium deficiency. The specific details are as follows:

1. Physiological Factors

Since the nervous system of a 3-month-old baby is still developing, there may be temporary disruptions in neural signaling, leading to increased neural excitability and resulting in head shaking. This condition typically resolves gradually as the baby grows older.

2. Pathological Factors

1) Allergies

If the baby has an allergic reaction to clothing, bedding materials, or improper feeding, localized rashes accompanied by itching may occur. The baby may shake their head to relieve discomfort. It is recommended to take antiallergic medications such as cetirizine hydrochloride granules, loratadine granules, or montelukast sodium chewable tablets under a doctor's guidance to control the allergy and improve symptoms.

2) Calcium Deficiency

Imbalanced nutrition or insufficient calcium in the body can increase neural excitability, causing persistent head shaking. It is recommended to supplement calcium under medical supervision using medications such as calcium acetate granules, calcium carbonate D3 granules, or vitamin D2 soft capsules to enhance calcium absorption and alleviate symptoms.

In addition, conditions such as autism spectrum disorder or epilepsy could also cause this behavior. If symptoms persist for a prolonged period, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are necessary to avoid delays in diagnosis and management.