My Baby Keeps Hitting His Head on the Floor
The toddler years are special — some parents dread them, while others tin can't wait. Toddlerhood is famous for causing meltdowns and tantrums, only they're also the years where your babe volition acquire to talk and master the skill of walking. But one unexpected event some parents will have to bargain with is head banging.
This is quite common, and being a mother to a head banger myself, I know it tin can too be lamentable. Seeing your toddler resort to banging their caput on the floor during a meltdown tin make yous question your parenting skills.
So, because this has become a bad habit for my child, I quickly started researching how to cease toddlers from banging their heads. The results were interesting.
- Why Toddlers Blindside Their Head
- When Do Toddlers Offset Banging Their Heads?
- How to Cease Toddlers From Banging Their Heads
- The Takeaway
Why Toddlers Blindside Their Caput
You may exist surprised to acquire that head banging is fairly common. It's estimated that approximately xx pct of toddlers and babies bang their heads (one). Interestingly, boys are more likely to prefer this habit than girls — for boys, the chances increase 3 times more (ii).
Many of my parents express concern virtually head banging due to fear of injury. In most cases, however, toddlers are "smart enough" to know how to do information technology to gain a parent's reaction but non to injure themselves.
Editor'southward Note:
Dr. Leah Alexander, Doctor, FAAP
Seeing your toddler like this isn't like shooting fish in a barrel, and nosotros often remember it'south our fault for non being a good parent. Just toddlers by and large don't do this because of poor parenting skills. Hither are some surprising reasons backside this behavior:
i. Self-Soothing
Toddlers banging their heads to self-sooth sounds crazy, but when reading a niggling further, it kind of makes sense. Somehow, banging their caput is often a way for your toddler to relax. If and then, they do it rhythmically as they fall asleep, while sleeping, or when they wake upward during the night (3).
The technique differs between toddlers — some will sway back and along on all fours, while others make a rocking move. Information technology's believed that the rhythmic motility is similar to when yous're in a rocking chair, thus soothing the toddler (4).
Depending on where your toddler is, they bang their head into the mattress or pillow. If they sit upward, it's probably confronting the crib wall. Some toddlers may even begin to hum or vocalize until they fall back asleep.
It does sound agonizing, simply if your fiddling i is otherwise salubrious and happy, in that location'south no need to worry.
ii. Frustration
Now onto something that makes a little more sense — frustration. If your toddler bangs their head during a tantrum, information technology's likely to be emotions and stress they tin't otherwise communicate. Toddlers deal with a lot of emotions — it's a time full of changes and a need to be independent (5).
Also, not all toddlers are able to talk, which makes it challenging to limited feelings. Because of this, many turn to physical actions equally a style to become their frustration out, communicate, and cocky-soothe.
3. Hurting Relief
Sometimes lark is the best medicine against pain. Toddlers will, at times, substitute one pain for another. It's not unusual for toddlers to bang their heads due to teething pain or ear infections. Alternatively, toddlers may utilise a hand to hit the side of their head when experiencing this type of pain.
For some toddlers, it seems to make the hurting ameliorate. Information technology can, however, notwithstanding be a way to communicate their distress to you.
4. Seeking Attending
Toddlers aren't fully confident in how to communicate, so sometimes, they'll resort to extremes for some attention. Head banging is oftentimes a manner to get your attention, especially as your toddler sees how concerned you lot get. They learn that head banging will get them instant attention (six).
Head banging for attention tin can exist difficult to stop. If you lot give them your attending, you're feeding into the habit, but by ignoring them, they may seriously injure themselves if near furniture or other objects. We explore how to end it further below.
5. Developmental Problems
Head banging and other self-injurious beliefs is oftentimes associated with developmental problems like autism. Head banging alone is rarely a cause for business concern. Simply if you notice your toddler does other activities like biting hands, scratching or rubbing, consult your pediatrician (vii).
When Do Toddlers Start Banging Their Heads?
When and if your toddler begins banging their head on purpose depends on your baby. Some commencement rather early, around half dozen months, and will go along the behavior into childhood. Others won't beginning until reaching the toddler years, approximately 18 months.
Well-nigh children will usually end once they realize the habit isn't beneficial. This tin can be at historic period 3 for some, while others are still doing information technology at 5 years erstwhile.
How to Terminate Toddlers From Banging Their Heads
i. Try Empathy
If your toddler feels frustrated due to not getting their fashion, try showing empathy. You lot may acknowledge what they're aroused nearly. And so say something like, "You are very angry — you lot wanted the … only mommy said no."
Always remember that toddlers desire many things, but rarely sympathize some things aren't possible. By empathizing, y'all're showing their feelings are acknowledged, without giving in. This may not stop the caput banging at first, just information technology will presently catch on that mom and dad understand.
2. Provide Attention
Give your petty 1 plenty of attention during the happy times where they're not banging their heads. It'southward non e'er like shooting fish in a barrel since toddlers constantly have something to show or say, simply endeavor your all-time (8).
Try to answer to needs and cries — even if information technology'southward a no, be positive with how you react. If they bang their heads again, human activity casual about it. If you make a large fuss, y'all're reinforcing the habit, which only makes it worse.
3. Don't Scold
The obvious reaction to this blazon of behavior would seem to be a big, "No," and and so a fourth dimension-out. Even so, toddlers are still likewise young to understand this, and negatively showing your disapproval can worsen information technology. As well, giving this type of attention, albeit negative, is still considered a "win" by toddlers. It is all-time to keep your reactions balmy.
When they bang their heads, avert scolding or penalization. Your toddler is likely to feel more than frustrated and volition continue.
A clinical notation about maxim "no" and "stop" toddlers: Many of my parents, out of what seems like necessity, detect themselves telling their toddler these two words very oft. They are and then surprised when "no" and "stop" get some of their toddler'due south first words. Also, when heard and so often from a parent, these words tend to lose their desired effect. I counsel my parents to save "no" and "end" for situations which could be harmful or unsafe for their toddler (i.east. trying to run away in a parking lot, touching a hot stove). At other times, distraction or redirection is a better and more effective tactic.
Editor's Note:
Dr. Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP
iv. Hide Your Worries
Bruises are leap to occur from such behavior at some point, but practice your best not to worry. Head banging is a self-regulating habit, which means your toddler is unlikely to crusade serious injury. If it starts to hurt them, they'll pull back a scrap to avert the hurting.
You can always brand the possible caput banging surfaces safety. If your toddler does this to self-soothe, ensure that the crib remains stable post-obit repeated rocking. Once in a while, check the screws and bolts to verify cypher is coming loose (ix).
Identify soft fabric between the crib and wall, and perhaps even safety casters on the legs of the crib. Avoid using pillows or blankets on the mattress to soften it upwardly as information technology could present a suffocation chance.
Pool noodles work wonders on crib railings — just ensure that they're secured. Identify fabric around the noodle to stop your toddler from taking a bite. Also, verify that they tin't go their head through the crib railings — again, soft fabric works hither.
If possible, identify rugs or soft tiles around the floors. If in that location is furniture or another object nearby that could result in injury, move information technology. My toddler would ever blindside his head against the floor whenever he got frustrated.
v. Create a Prophylactic Cyberspace
If your toddler has bottled up frustrations, chances are they but need a good weep. When flooded by so many emotions, it's easier for them to simply bang their head against something. In such circumstances, the best thing you tin do is to testify that you're in that location and won't scold them if they cry.
Create a safety net for them to fall into. Circle back to empathy and evidence how you understand their feelings. Keep reassuring them that you are correct here and won't go away.
Not all toddlers want to exist held at such times, and if so, keep your distance while making soothing comments. You can say something like, "I'm correct hither to go on y'all condom. Information technology'southward okay to cry — I can encounter that you're upset."
Get down to eye-level with them — sit downwardly and continue to soothe with your voice.
If they outset to weep, stop talking — your toddler will come to you soon for a hug. It can be heart-wrenching seeing your petty one like this. Go on reminding yourself that you're doing a fantastic job at letting them cry every bit opposed to punishing.
6. Create a Soothing Bedtime Routine
Afterwards a long, hard day at work, nosotros often come home feeling defeated and frustrated — it's the same for toddlers. If your toddler typically bangs their head at bedtime during meltdowns, it's due to a long day. Y'all can combat this by creating a soothing bedtime routine.
This could be a bath, then some cuddle time followed by a story or song. It volition assistance your lilliputian 1 unwind and go to bed feeling relaxed.
seven. Consult Your Pediatrician
If your toddler's behavior worries you lot, ever consult your pediatrician. If the head banging continues even if your child seems visibly hurt, it's time to worry (10). This could be a sign of a development problem such equally autism.
The Takeaway
Head banging is a common behavior in toddlers. Information technology usually starts around 6 to 18 months of age and will mostly resolve itself as your child matures.
About engage in information technology as a way to self-soothe when wanting to slumber. Others use information technology equally a mode to relieve frustrations and seek attention. In some cases, information technology can be a sign of developmental disorders.
Information technology'south a worrying habit, causing many parents to wonder how to stop their toddler from banging their head. The best thing to practice is to empathize with their feelings. Testify them that at that place are other ways to be heard and seen.
Make the area safety and never punish or scold. Meeting this behavior with negativity volition only get in worse.
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Source: https://momlovesbest.com/stop-toddler-from-banging-head
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