1. Relax by Head Banging
Several theories surround head banging behavior in children. One is that the child is frustrated, usually because he is unable to communicate his feelings. Toddler head banging is seen as part of temper tantrums. Children see that the behavior is distressing to their parents, and do it repeatedly for attention. Some children rock in addition to banging their heads. It's a relaxing behavior that lulls them to sleep. Another theory is that the child is in pain, such as an ear ache or from teething, and head banging gives him something else on which to focus. Statistics show that 20 percent of children go through a period of head banging during the toddler years, and it's three times more common in boys.
2. Protect That Noggin
Typically, children won't intentionally bang their heads hard enough to hurt themselves. Parents may notice a bruise or two, but long-term damage to the head is uncommon. Protect the child by checking the crib periodically to be sure the rocking hasn't loosened any of the screws. Crib bumpers can be a cushion as long as they aren't too thick and are securely tied to the crib rails.
3. Soothe to Sleep
If the child is doing it for attention, giving him positive attention when he isn't head banging is one way to begin to curb the behavior. Punishing him for head banging likely won't have much of an effect, so it's best just to re-direct him to a more positive behavior. Creating a soothing bedtime routine can curb the behavior if it's being done as a way to relax. While head banging can be very disturbing to adults, most children outgrow it by age 4 and suffer no ill effects.
4. Fear Not
Head banging by itself isn't a cause for concern. But if it's paired with becoming increasingly withdrawn and ceasing to reach developmental milestones, autism or some other developmental disability becomes a concern. If you feel your child is showing other symptoms in addition to head banging, or if he appears to hurt himself when head banging, consult the pediatrician without delay.
5. Fulfill a Need
There's no way to predict if a child will be a head banger or not. Once the behavior starts, keeping it from becoming an ingrained habit is possible. When the child begins to bang her head, distract her with another activity that will accomplish what head banging is for her. If it's done out of frustration, try to empathize with the child and talk to him about his emotions, even if he isn't yet old enough to respond. If done to relax, encourage the child to sit on a parent's lap for story time. Head banging is fulfilling a need in the child, so finding another way to satisfy that need will help to prevent head banging from becoming a long-term issue.
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