Does anyone have experience with their toddler head banging? When my son is frustrated or angry he trys to hit me with his head. Sometimes it is the floor or tables but mostly me. I usually say no and try to ignore it. Does anyone have advice on this...is it common?
My son banged his head and sometimes still does (he's 4). My dr always told me he would grow out of it. It's scary but they do stop. I always told him to stop too and would hold his head before he would hit me with it.
Two Cents from a mom of a soon to be 19 year old. So I have been there done that....
This behavior should be addressed as aggressive behavior. It is just like hitting someone, it should not just be ignored. Children need to learn at a very early age that hitting or head bunting someone is not appropriate behavior.
First of all you should stop him, come down to his level and tell him this is not appropriate behavior and if you do this again you will be put in time out or what ever punishment you and your husband choose. Then give him a hug and tell him you love him. then continue doing what you were doing.
Very important to come down to his level and look at him eye to eye. Be very firm without yelling or raising your voice. Also if he does it again you must follow through with your warning. If you do not follow through you will never get him to stop.
It is not a good idea to look at this behavior as something a child will grow out of. This is no different than spitting, biting, or talking back.
As I said just my 2 cent.
Hi Kymberly
I would get this checked out with a pediatrician.
take care.
hugs
L.
Our second daughter did the same thing around that age. She would get mad and just slam her head on the floor! We knew when she would go it, so we would stand behind her to soften the blow. Our doctor told us that this is normal behavior for that age and if we wanted to, to maybe put a helmet on her since we have wood and tile floors. She did outgrow it after about a month or two though, especially after she did bang her head and found out it really hurt!
It's very common. Both of my boys do/have done it. Mine started around 10 months though. My older one outgrew it sometime while 3. My younger one is 14 months. He also head butts people. He's given himself an occasional bruise from it.
There's really not anything you can do. Just ignore it; don't even say no. Redirect his attention to something. He'll stop sooner or later.
My 21 month old head bangs people, the wood floors, the couch - you name it. Now he is starting to bite. It is all forms of frustration. I usually ignore him. I figured if he hurts himself, he will learn not to do it again. I believe he will stop once he can communicate his need to us better.
Hi Kymberly,
My 20 month old son is doing the same thing. I am trying to stop it. I piick him up and put some toys that he always plays with in front of him. If he throws them then it is in his crib he goes. I wait a minute or two and go get him out and he is sleeping by then. So, when my son does this he is tired. If it is to early to go to bed, then I give him a hug and wipe his face and give him a great big kiss. He is ok by then. Then I start to tickle him, by then he has forgot why he was banging his head.
I hope this helps.
I will keep checking to see what everyone else has said. Just to see if there is something else I can be doing.
Have a great week!
L.
Hi Kymberly,
My son had an occupational and speech therapist at 2 years of age. They told me that he needed "deep pressure". He was always sensory sensitive. He is now 7 and just fine. It was just the deep pressure that he was seeking. That was just him.
C.
