OT: DS is banging his head

[shinysparklybubbles]

DS is 14 months old and just started leaning up against the wall with his back and banging his head on it. It's not violent, he's just stands there bumping his head on the wall. It's random too, not like he's doing it when he's being bad or a throwing a fit or anything. Any other kids do this? Should I be concerned and when did it stop?

 

[MomofSixinSC]

My husband did this for years. He would bang his head on his pillow every night to get to sleep. Drove his brother crazy! LOL

Fast forward 30+ years. He still did this. Meanwhile, I try removing the petroleum from our diet to help my then 4yob with impulse problems. Not only did 4yo's impulse problems clear up, but dh stopped banging his head. he also stopped being impatient with the children. he got a raise and a promotion at work. He loved that he could now sit still (always jiggling before - a foot, a finger, something) and think things through rather than having his brain racing in ahundred directions at once.

You can read more about this at www.feingold.org and feel free to pm me if you have more questions. As a side note - I have no financial interest in this. When I went searching for help with my son, someone told me about the Feingold Program. I am so grateful and always pass on the information to others I think can benefit from it.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

My DH used to do this too as a child. Explains a lot! Just kidding. He's a happy, productive, well adjusted adult.

 

[carrollchristoph]

As others have said, this can be a normal phase that kids go through. But it can also be the sign of something serious- an autistic spectrum disorder or related disorder.

Sorry to be so blunt, but I think this is probably what you are really worried about. Questions to ask yourself: What is his development like? Is he talking? Pointing? Making eye contact? Does he like "high-stimulation"? Do loud noises scare him easily?

Consider talking to your pediatrician. If it is nothing, talking to your pediatrician will greatly alleviate any anxiety. If it is something, early treatment can do wonders! (it did for us!)

Good luck and God Bless!

 

[2cutekidz]

While it can be a warning sign, it is also a way that some toddlers self soothe. I know makes no sense. What has your Ped said about it?

 

[jagafen]

As long as his other milestones are within normal limits, I wouldn't jump to any conclusions too quickly. Lots of kids are "head bangers"....it's usually just a phase, and no need to worry. DS was a head banger also....and a quadrapod rocker.....it was just his way to soothe himself. He's a perfectly normal, VERY talkative, 7 year old....

 

[NJR]

DS #2 did this on occasion - I've read that it's fairly common as a self-soothing technique, something about the repetitive rhythm being comforting. Also common if LO is teething, it's one way some kiddos think of to distract from mouth pain.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

DD (18 mo) went through that a couple months ago and I remember Dneph doing it. His didn't last very long as he did it on a wrought-iron stair rail. He got a BIG bump on his melon and he stopped banging his head. DD stopped doing it about a month ago, so chances are, he'll stop too.

 

[phillmolly]

My son is 17 months old and will sometimes bang his head on the stove, I think, 1, he likes the noise it makes, and 2, he knows it drives his daddy crazy! My DH will tell him to stop and he will just start laughing and do it harder to make it louder. I personaly think that it is kinda funny and it doesn't bother me at all, which is probally why he only does when Dad is home, LOL!

If everything else seems okay with your LO, I wouldn't worry about it to much, especailly if you have been reacting to it, he may just be doing it for the attention.

 

[bas71873]

My DD (now almost 7) did this on our tile floors at about that age. I FREAKED out because we have an child in our family with autism. I spoke with her PED about it and was told it's normal (DD was developing normally in all other areas) and that she would grow out of it. She did, about 3/4 months later, and she's a happy, healthy, normal 7 year old girl now.

DD has a LOT of ear infections between 3 months and a year when we finally had tubes put in, but she was always a "happy" sick baby, never cried, never pulled on her ears, etc. Same with teething...she just rolled with it all. PED said the head banging (non violent of course) could have been her way of dealing with some of the pain too.

Good luck, but definately speak with your PED!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

He just started doing it in the past 2 days, I asked on FB and got a lot of responses that a lot of kids his age are doing it, so I'm thinking it's a normal age thing. My friend's pedi said they like the noise it makes and will stop once they hurt themselves.... but I'll still be checking with my pedi. Thanks for everyones input!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

DS #2 did this on occasion - I've read that it's fairly common as a self-soothing technique, something about the repetitive rhythm being comforting. Also common if LO is teething, it's one way some kiddos think of to distract from mouth pain.

molars are coming in! I never thought it could be related to that!

 

[Sinderelly]

My DS started banging his head on the hardwood floor while lying on his tummy at age 14 months. He did this off and on until age 3. He never had a tantrum or anything just calmly banging his head. He seemed to do it more when he was tired and sleepy. This really upset my DH. He was afraid there was something wrong with him or it would stunt his growth.The pedi said he would out grow it. He did...

He is now a 6'5 healthy 27 yr old with an IQ of over 160.

 

[deerhart]

I'm a head banger as well. For me its a sensory thing and I usually do it when stressed/angry. There is a specific spot on the back of my head that when pressure is applied is like instant calming (also why I LOVE having my hair brushed/stroked as well).

It could be many things including just a phase, especially if you react to it. Kids that age will try lots of things just to see how mom and dad react, its part of the learning process.

As long as he's not doing it hard enough to hurt himself, I would just ignore the behavior when he does it to see if it goes away. If he's doing it hard enough he might hurt himself, just sort of walk over to him and without any fanfare, excitement, worry etc.. distract him to something else.

 

[LWatson]

Yeah my kids did it. My oldest used to bang his head on his baby gate at night to put himself to sleep...yeah talk about weird. He did it and would fall asleep in the floor and we would move him to his bed. Eventually he outgrew it and now goes to bed just fine by climbing in and going to sleep. My youngest did it on the floor and giggle. I was worried about it too, but the Ped said my oldest would outgrow it. Try explaining to the daycare why your son bangs his head on stuff to make himself sleep...needless to say he didnt go very often during that phase...LOL.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

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