Head Banding

My oldest son who is now 3 used to do this. He used to bang it on EVERYTHING from the tile follr to the wall or whatever he could get his little head on. He never had any issues with his ears. We looked it up on the internet on babycenter and found that this is very normal for boys to go through. My son just grew out of it. Good luck!

With children this young it is imperative to not assume anything. It could very well be related to building up of sinus pressure from the teething or the ear infections, but it is just too much for parents to try to diagnose. You can try some mild age and dose appropriate sinus medicine like Tylenol Cold and Allergy Liquid, but there is only one way to do it right and that is to take him in. You may even need to take him in more than once, so if you try anything before getting there: Write the details down and bring any meds you have tried so the medical staff can let you know if the things you've tried were possible improvements or not. If he is not sleeping well, this would also add to the desire to bang his head. Try some things that relax and soothe, like a dryer running, rocking him, vibrating toys in his bed. He still needs lots of comfort, you just have to be as firm as necessary, but still gentle enough to calm his fears. I'd say his emotions are a healthy phase, and banging may be typical for some boys, but you've got to rule out all medical possibilities. Hope that helps. Prayers to you.

Could it just be a tantrum? He may have not wanted to wake up so early and is still tired. I have 21 month old twins also and sometimes one wakes up the other when he is not ready and it makes him mad. It only happens it the afternoon also, not in the morning. Mine are going through a big tantrum stage right now.

My mom told me that my brother after me did this. He would bang his head on the floor and scream and cry, and then he would look up at my mom to see if he would get attention for it. This may have happened after my youngest brother was born, but I'm not sure. In any case, I have studied Behavior Management at the graduate level, as well as Early Intervention, Early Childhood Special Education, and what he is doing though upsetting to you will not harm him. What he is doing is serving some function or purpose for him. So you have to try to figure out what he may be getting out of doing this, and help him replace it with a more gentle behavior.
I hope this helps just in terms of thinking about this.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Sincerely,
Gretchen

Head banging is a classic early sign of autism. I hope that is not the case for your son, but it is certainly something to bring up with the doctor. My son did that at the same age and it turned out he had autism. He made excellent eye contact, which fooled doctors into thinking he didn't have autism, but unfortunately as he got older it became pretty clear. I'm sending up a little prayer that in your case it's just an ear infection.

P.S. I agree that reacting with a time out or other punishment is a good idea, combined with the firm instruction "do not hurt yourself."

I would definitely have his ears checked again. It may be pressure in his ears from the nap even if this does not happen at bedtime. His ears may pop and that is what improves his attitude. Good Luck!!!

HI kara, go to a doctior, as other said, do not assume and also push the doctor to look twice, they looked to my son and AFTER I MENTIONED HE MAY HAVE A HEARING PROBLEM they looked again and told me he had an ear infection. I heard from other mothers these episodes about hitting their head against the door, wall, floor. They told me not give any attention, I do not know how will it works because mine is just 6 months old, but speak with him,sing and dance with him(vals) try to find a comforting way especially for him so he will understand he is also special. Every child is different even they are twins. my friend is taking walks alone with his son and speak about one movie(cars, sesamee street) he believes his mother just spend special quality time with him. I hope it helps.

Definately go to the Doctor. Especially with the past history of ear infections. It might have never really gone away. ALSO, try the web site called: www.fightearinfections.com This would be more of a preventative approach, after you check things out with the Doctor. I learned of this site from a friend who had really great results and the ear infections have reduced to almost none and the child never needed the surgery they were talking about. Check it out.

Have you ever had him checked by a chiropractor? A doctor told me a little boy about 2-3 years old was hitting his head on the wall. They went to a chiropractor. Go to www.icpa4kids.org. Find a chiropractor that works with kids.