HI this is J.. My son is 21 months old and when he gets mad at us he bangs his head into whatever is the closest to him. Is this a baby thing or do you think there is something seriously wrong? He doesn't talk very much either and I was maybe wondering if that had to do something with it. I am confused bout my sons actions. Sometimes it's funny but I am really worried why he does it. Sometimes he will do it even when's hes not mad at anyone. Once he does it he's over his mad spell and then moves on. I could really use some help has anyone elses kids ever done this?
i think it's pretty normal behavior. kids at that age can not express their anger/frustration with words so they do it with actions. it's like when other kids bite...they are not trying to be mean, they are just expressing their anger/frustaion at the other person. my little girl will pinch/bite others or sometimes her self or sometime pull her own hair when she is mad.
i wouldn't worry about it too much. it's just a boy thing. my brothers did it, my son does it and so does my friend's son. he's just frustrated and can't express himself with words yet. just try to stop him when he does it and divert his attention somewhere else.
As a first time mother, I too was worried when my now 5 year old son was doing that. (about 2) He had pretty good communication skills but he still did it. I checked with the pediatrician & she asked how I reacted when he did it... I would tell him to stop & that he would hurt himself. Well, Doc said...next time ignore him. I did and appearently he hurt himself banging his head against the wall (nothing serious). He wassurprised that I didn't come running and believe it or not, he didn't really do again. He was going to & thought for a minute (probably remembered it hurt) and then turned around and walked away from the wall.
Good luck??
If I were you I would ask my pediatrician for a referral evaluation just to be safe. If he can't talk that might be why he is doing it because he can't express himself. Or it will rule out other things. First Steps if you are in Indiana(not sure where you are but most states have programs) will come to your home and do an evaluation of his speech and other things.
J., I do not think it is something to worry about so much. My baby was doing the same and laughed because he liked the sound of it; he did it against the walls in the living room. I just told him each time that was not good and he had to stop. I was consistent, and I talked to him every single time he did it, and he stopped. Distraction worked very well for these things as well. When you see him banging his head, just say "no" and show him a toy or move your hand in a fun way etc...and move him to another place. It will work, believe me!
Good Luck!
totally normal esp. if he cant talk very well hes getting frustrated b/c he cant communicate what is bothering him. talk with him calmly and see if you can find out whats bothering him and help him with that task... good luck!
J.: Have you talked to your doctor about this? I remember my mom said my oldest sister did the head banging when she was little and how she broke her was one day she banged my sisters head when she was going to do it. That was is in the early 60's ( I don't know if I would try it) I am a monther of 5 (3 girls and 2 boys), well my one son did not talk much when he was little (he is 13 now) well it turned out he had so many ear infections that he could not hear.They put tubes in twice and that seem to do the trick. Also check with your public school they should have a early intervention program that you could put your son into now believe me it really works.. They will teach your son so much that you will not believe it. My son was able to learn how to sign when he wanted something to eat,drink ect... Plus they worked on the speech... YOU are thinking he is only 21 months old will the pulbic schools are set up for but you will not hear much about it.The early intervention starts at birth and goes to age 3 then they move to preschool.It should be free of charge. Check into this Believe me it will help with the speech...
L.
