Child Banging Head

Hi,
In the book What to Expect the First Year, it talks about that behavior as the baby finding they have rhythm. My child did it, it has stopped. I would recommend getting the book, it explains a lot of things.
Hope that helps.
L.

My son did that at that age, too. He could actually put himself to sleep in his highchair doing that!! He is now a (relatively) normal 4 year old!!!

She will not hurt her head though this kind of habbit starts a lot later in most kids I've known and lasts for a short period of time. My son did it around 18 months and it lasted for a few months. He'd do it on the crib, floor and some other things. It was usually when he was frustrated or upset though. Sometimes it can be a symptom of Autism but I wouldn't worry about that unless it continues for a long time (long enough that your pediatrician would be concerned that is.) I got so upset the first time my son did it in his crib. I thought he was gonna give himself brain damage he was doing it so hard. Good luck.

My son did this around that age. They're just trying to learn cause and effect. On the highchair will not hurt her head. It's just a phase that will pass.

This is the queen of head-banging here. I did it as a little kid when I didn't get my way. I was a forehead banger. And I mean I did it on the walls or floors. Again it usually happened when I didn't get my way, but as to why I didn't just throw a normal tantrum as opposed to this....don't know why.
I would say that if she isn't really whacking herself and apparently intent on doing damage, maybe there's a 'positive' feeling with it. I wouldn't thing, if she isn't showing signs of cranial distress or overdoing it, it's a temporary thing and not much to worry about.
You can discuss it with your pediatrician tho. Just for your own peace of mind.

My child also did this around the same age. I tried to "fight" it at first, however, I quickly learned it wasn't worth it. The child was not getting hurt, nor did she seem to mind it. I eventually made it a game...for every bang, she had to take a bit of food...it worked really well :-)

I would not worry about it unless she is actually hurting herself. I think all kids or most kids go through this. My son did it also. It is just something new to them and its a new feeling. They are like hey this is different lets do it again. my son used to sit like up against the door with his back to it and bang his head against it. or the glass slider door, he never did it hard enough to hurt himself and hes kind of outgrown it now, but still does it every once in awhile.

Please not to scare you but any parent whose child exibits a behavior like that should be check by a doctor. there are many things it could be and many of them have better resualts if caught at a young age.
It could very well be nothing but in this case better to be safe and seem over protective than regreting it later.

My son also did this around the same age. It seemed like he was just trying to figure out his surroundings and it almost seemed like he was trying to see if it would move. He only hurt himself once...he got mad at me for taking his bowl away he slammed his head back extremely hard. He just sort of sat there stunned for a second before screaming. That was the last time he did it!

When I was a kid I LOVED to rock in a rocking chair. If we didn't have one in the house I would sit on the couch and rock myself in a similar way. It didn't hurt my head either, I just loved the rocking motion. You might try getting her a small rocker or put her in a mechanical swing and see if that helps. I'm a 50 year old woman and still love rocking chairs. I won't be without one or two in my house.

Most likely she won't do it to the point of hurting herself...but you'll know if she does and can address it with the doc then. Usually it's a self-soothing thing (go figure-doesn't sound soothing to me...LOL). Kids like repetition and they tend to do things that would make adults seasick! My neice, who is 22 now, used to do that ALL the time...in the car, on the couch, at the table, in our laps...and on occasion I still see her do it. You'll know if it turns into something more...

~L.

Hello! Both my boys did that! It was not limited to the high chair either...the couch, car seat crib...I asked our pediatrician and I don't remember his exact words, but something to do with them discovering rhythm, music ect. It is normal and I guess if they hurt their head the'll quit. Not to worry.You have a normal little one.

My daughter is now 22 months but for a while from about 9 months to 15 months, she did bang her head on her high chair. I spoke to my doctor and she said this was absolutely normal. I found that the more I reacted to it, the more she banged her head (just to test her boundaries). It should go away naturally. So as long as she's not hurting herself, I wouldn't worry about it :)

completely normal - dont worry!!

It is probably just a phase that she is going thruogh but I would mention it at her 1 year check up. My niece also banged her head (as a soothing technique) and she has mild autism. She also has/had a language delay.
I am not trying to scare you I just want you to be aware.
K.

My son does this too. He is 13 months now. He does it to get a reaction...merely for attention. The first time he did it I said "ouch" in a funny voice that made him laugh. Now he tries it all the time on walls, highchairs, just to get a reaction. He is the second boy and I think he just looking for attention. (even though he gets plenty :) ) Thats what kids do. ANythhing for a laugh and they love repition.

So funny! Only because my three boys went through this stage beginning around 16mos. At first it was on their crib rails and the hardwood floor. They stopped that (mostly), but now do the highchair thing too. It really is okay, as long as she is not hurting herself. I've read that it's a type of stress or extra energy relief for kids this age.

Just remember not to laugh or react at all, otherwise she may do it more.
dana

My son banged his head for a little while. I didn't give him any reaction, nor did I tell him to stop. Basically, just pretended it didn't happen. He stopped doing it.

I knew a mom who's kid did that for a long time. After a long time, she figured out that the kid had would get food related headaches. Enzymes helped the gut heal and the head banging stopped.