Does Your Toddler Bang Head In Anger? Here’s What You Need To Know

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Does your little bundle of joy bang his or her head on the cradle or wall repeatedly? Should you be worried about this behavior?

In This Article

Why Do Some Toddlers Bang Their Heads?

This fact may shock you, but banging one’s head is a common behavior. Head banging mostly starts after a toddler turns one and increases between 18 and 24 months of age. But by their third year, most children leave this habit behind. An interesting fact is that this behavior is more frequently observed in boys than girls.

Most Common Reasons

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1. Release bad emotions

Just like sucking their thumb or rocking their body, at this young age, banging one’s head is purely a self-soothing behavior. Head banging helps toddlers release not so positive emotions and tension.

2. Relief from pain or to seek attention

Your young one may hit his or her head when experiencing discomfort from teething or headaches. Banging one’s head may also be your kid’s method of seeking attention.

3. Calm their nerves

Most toddlers bang their head around before sleeping. They may hit their head in a rhythmic manner as they’re about to sleep, or when they wake up in between sleep, or even when they’re in sleep. The periodic motion during head banging could be to help the central nervous system when it’s changing from awakened state to sleep state.

4. Express themselves

Some children may have inadequate language skills. So, to express frustration, anger, or sorrow, they may start head banging. This could be the reason why few kids hit their heads to get what they want or while throwing tantrums.

How Should You Respond To Head Banging?

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1. Keep calm and understand them while dealing with tantrums

If your toddler is exhibiting head banging as a manner of showing hidden emotions, you should keep calm. Then, ensure your little one is not hurt by slowly leading him or her away from surfaces that may injure their head.

Understand them, know what they feel and why they are reacting that way. Develop their emotional intelligence. Finally, provide a few options to your child to manage his or her tantrum.

2. Change routine before sleep time

If your child bangs their head before sleep, change to a calmer bedtime routine. Switch to a sleep routine that begins with a very energetic task and ends with a low energy task. For instance, you can begin with a cozy bath followed by gently rocking your child. Finally, put him or her to bed with a melodic song.

Instances When You Should Worry About Head Banging

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1. Rhythmic movement disorder (RMD)

You should consult a pediatrician if your kid exhibits head banging even when it is painful. Head banging at night is a disorder, known as RMD, if it ‘severely harms the kid or badly affects his or her sleep’ (2).

2. Autism

If your kid exhibits head banging repeatedly throughout awakened state for no known reason, it may be a symptom of larger issues. See if your child maintains very less eye contact and a lack of need for love. If yes, then his or her head banging could be an indication of autism.

Observe if your child withdraws into a shell; observe if your child has delayed growth benchmarks. In such cases, get your child examined by a neurologist.

Be patient with your child, understand his or her behavior and head banging patterns before you jump to any conclusions.

Just ensure that your child is safe while he or she is exhibiting head banging. If needed, get your child examined by a pediatrician or neurologist and give them a detailed explanation of how and when your child exhibits this behavior. They’ll give you better insights, guidance, and suggest the way forward.

Once you know why your little one is head banging, you will be in a better position to deal with the situation. Though it’s not always a serious concern, keeping a watchful eye and ensuring your child feels secured is of utmost importance.

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