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November 22, 2009 SEARCH drSpock 
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Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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Infant Swinging His Head Back and Forth
QUESTION
Dear Dr. Needlman,
Our 10-month-old son has started to look up at the ceiling and swing his head back and forth (side-to-side while looking up)... he does this several times a day. Is this normal behavior? Nothing else about him concerns us... he's a very active, curious, and joyful boy.

— Peggy

ANSWER
April 25, 2001
Dear Peggy,
This behavior sounds normal to me. Many young children engage in repetitive movements such as head banging, rocking, ear tugging, and the like. Probably these behaviors serve a purpose, either self-calming or relieving boredom. Sometimes they become habits--meaning that they continue, even though they no longer serve a purpose. Usually, they go away on their own. If everything else is going well, as you say, then I don't think there's anything to be concerned about.

— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P.

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