I have a 13 month old little girl who has just started hitting herself on her face and head. I am not sure why???? They are some hard hits! When she does this she is not upset...usually she is laying down drinking her bottle or just playing on the floor and then start slapping herself.
Is it common for toddlers to hit themselves upside the head like that?
My 17 month old hits herself when she gets upset (told not to do something, usually). She'll either hit herself in the head/face, pull her hair, or hit a wall. We either ignore the behavior or tell her gently "No, baby. We don't hit/bite."
We didn't experience this exact situation, but we did have some other issues and we had ECI involved. One thing I learned was that some children need the feeling they get from being touched firmly (not hit). I used to start our day out with giving my son a firm massage- starting at the legs and moving up to his arms. I would do this for about 10 minutes every morning and he loved it. I wish I could remember what this need for a firm touch is called- something to do with the sensory needs. But even now, when my son starts to bounce off the walls, I will take him and give him a massage and he calms right down.
Good luck.
R. B
My son would bang his head on the floor when he was that age (he is now 4 yrs). He did it when he was mad and I was so concerned but my pediatrician said it was common and that he would stop before he hurt himself and would eventually stop doing it altogether. He did and is a happy normal boy so you probably have nothing to worry about.
My son does it for attention mostly. His doctor thinks it's the age, not a serious problem with comforting issues or anything. My son is also pretty strong willed so sometimes he does it when he gets mad. He's almost two and now he's on to reacting in other creative ways! I wouldn't worry unless she does it constantly or something.
