Head Banging - San Diego,CA

Updated on January 13, 2008
J.C. asks from San Diego, CA
4 answers

I was just wondering if any of you ladies out there have or had kids that did head banging.

My son is 2 years old and on a daily basis bangs his head. He does it when he is upset or in trouble. He will hit his head on any surface that he can find regardless of how hard it is. He has hit his head on tile, concrete, you name it. This started just after he turned one, and then was worse while my husband was deployed, which can be expected when daddy leaves for 7 months. But even once my husband came home, he continued to do it. There were times where is whole forehead was covered in one HUGE bruises because all of the bruises melded into each other.

He seemed to have stopped for a little while and now he's back at it again. We have a behavioral specialist that comes weekly to help hubby and I try to be better parents and help change his behaviors, but I'm also looking from advice from other mothers.

Thanks

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D.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

You need to see a doctor about it. I do not mean to panic you but it can be an early sign of autism. Make an appointment with your Pediatrician ASAP. Good luck to you

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S.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi J., I found this on Parents.com while looking around. Hope this is helpful:
Head Banging and Rocking
Rocking and head banging -- the rhythmic hitting of the head against a wall, crib, or other surface -- are particularly frightening to parents because many associate these actions with emotional or developmental problems. While rocking and head banging can be a sign of a problem such as autism, they're also quite common among children who are developing normally. The habit is most prevalent in babies between 6 and 18 months old. If head banging continues beyond age 4, or if you are concerned about it before then, consult your child's pediatrician. Also, talk to your pediatrician if your child's head banging is accompanied by developmental delays and a lack of interaction with parents.

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C.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My kid does it, and I know lots of others who do too. I've also seen it mentioned in a few books (including Sears' Baby Book) as something that is completely normal. It's a rhythmic, comforting thing like rocking.

The only practical advice I remember seeing is to try to direct them towards softer surfaces. My daughter does it relatively gently and usually only on the wall behind her cot, so I haven't needed to try to mitigate it.

Good luck!

Edit: Just found a useful link for you:
http://www.babycenter.com/0_head-banging_11554.bc

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S.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

There may be something serious, however, I have a friend who is perfectly healthy and she is 32 years old, has banged her head since she was a baby in her crib. She still bangs her head on her pillow each night in order to fall asleep. Just a thought, it may be a phase or they could continue. My friend said that she would bang so much that she would move her crib across the floor. I found this hilarious when we went to a women's retreat and she asked if we minded if she banged her head. Kinda off the subject, but interesting none the less.

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