Archive for the ‘head banging’ tag
Head Banging Toddlers
You may have recently started to see your little one get down on their belly and purposely bang their head on the floor. Chances are higher if you have a little boy, as boys are usually much more likely to go through this phase. There is probably no need to worry about it as there are many little ones who will do this.
Possible causes of a toddler banging their head can be both emotional and physical. Sometimes you may be able to tell which one is probably the case, but other times it may just seem random. Either way, by the age of three or so, they will probably have outgrown it.
Your little one may be banging their head simply to gain your attention. Since you probably are concerned and make a fuss over it when you see this happening, they may continue to do so. They begin to understand that it will get your attention and cause reactions from you.
Giving your little one plenty of love and attention on a daily basis may help reduce the head banging if this is the case. When they are not banging their head make sure they feel they are loved and important. During the times when they do bang their head try to not over-react to it. While you will understandably be concerned about it, try not to make a big deal or a make a noticeable fuss about it. Your little one will see how much attention they get from it and will likely do it more often.
If your toddler is in the middle of what seems to be a tantrum, and starts banging their head, it could very well be out of frustration. They may be unable to communicate to you what they wish they could say and banging their head can oddly be a comfort to them.
Sometimes banging their head can be a temporary fix to something that is bothering them physically. If they have an ear infection or something else that is hurting, the slight pain from banging their head may distract from the primary pain.
Normally a toddler will not bang their hard enough to actually hurt themselves. Even if they seem to be banging their head hard, they will usually start easing up if it is causing much pain. They may end up with a bruise here and there but more often that not, there is no cause for major concern.
However, in fewer cases the head banging in a toddler can be something to be concerned about. If they seem to be banging their head a lot and consistently you may want to take a second look as to what is going on. Also, if they continue to hit their head hard enough that it is really hurting them, and they do it anyways you should be looking more into it.
Head banging can be related to autism, and other disorders, but will be among other signs. Your toddler’s head banging alone will rarely signal cause for concern. If there are other signs you have noticed, or if your little one is not coming anywhere near common milestones, you should talk to your pediatrician about it.
