It's a Mom's World Home

Tell your pediatrician. Also, consider getting a referral for an occupational therapy assessment. My daughter went through a phase of head banging and running into walls and her issues are way too complicated to compare but we found that occupational therapy was part of the solution to this sensory seeking behavior.

Reply

My daughter used to do it, but that was months ago before she was 1yr old. I remember only lasting for a few months. At first we were shocked/surprised and would tell her no. But we learned to ignore and redirect her, because she would do it even more if we told her not to. If I can recall correctly, it would happend when she was upset. For us, it seemed to be a phase.

Is your little one verbal? If he isn't, then it maybe a way for him to express his frustration.

I would tell you to try to ignore and redirect which you can still try out, but you should let your pedia know as well.

Reply

My son is 2 and he has just started doing the same thing. I'm like you what the hell is he doing and why! I just tell him to stop or redirect him to something else. I feel it must be a phase he's going thru. I never read about any sorts before but I guess it could be common for kids who need your attention for something and they just don't know how to tell you. When you come up with a solution please let me know... LOL!

Reply

My son did this when he was close to one. It's really common for boys. For him it was a phase. His last time he banged his head was against the fireplace. He fell to his bum and started crying. My hubby just looked at him and said, "well silly you just hit your head on a brick fireplace, of COURSE that hurt!" Picked him up and helped calm him down after making sure he didn't cut his forehead open. Gave him a dose of infant tylenol once he calmed down enough to not choke on it too. He never banged his head again after that. It's probably a phase, but it never hurts to let the pedi check him out make sure your not missing something too.

Reply

My little one is almost 22 months and he does it ALL THE TIME when he's mad or frustrated or teething. It's apparently normal - especially for boys who just don't have the words to express their feelings.

If he's doing it because he's frustrated, I let him do it. It's his way of showing his feelings. After he hit his head particularly hard one time, he's now careful not to do it so hard. After he's done, I give him a hug and tell him I know it's frustrating being a toddler. I don't try to hug him while he's in his snit because then he just headbutts me.

Reply