Question
A 9-month-old baby occasionally shows head shaking while awake, sometimes accompanied by sudden wide-eyed expressions, resembling a startled look. This happens about 10 times a day, mostly during feeding times. The parents have taken the child to the hospital for checks, including a brainwave test, which came back normal. Recently, the shaking occurred again, and the doctor recommended a trace element test to rule out the possibility of calcium deficiency, but the results are not yet available.
Answer
Based on the description, the baby’s head shaking may just be a behavior, especially more common during feeding times, which could be the baby playing or trying to attract attention. Since the brainwave test was normal and there are no signs of neurological issues, it is advised that parents not overfocus on this behavior to avoid reinforcing it. Generally, such behaviors tend to disappear over time. If the situation does not improve without attention, it is recommended to consult with a doctor further.