Why is my 9 mo head banging?

[NotEvenHopingForAWhiteXmas]

DD has just started headbutting me- and laughing It really hurts!

She also bangs her head on her buggy, and as I type is bashing her chin/ mouth violently on my knee.

Why is she doing this? Is it normal? Can she damage herself? Can I/ should I stop her?

[snowbodysfool]

She is just donig it because its getting a reaction.I would try not to react unless she was about to do it on someting dangerous and i would tell her quite sternly 'no!' when she headbutts you.I'm sure all children go through this stage in one way or another.It's a phase that will pass-hopefully.

[MoreSpamThanGlam]

My 14 month old bashes her head against the back of her high chair. I ignore it but she has done it since she was about 5 months and usually does it if she is tired.

I dont think she does it for attention though

[gigglewitchyouamerrychristmas]

how do you react to it? i know it sounds like the hardest thing in the world, but is there any way that you can either give little or no attention to this behaviour? walk away rather than give her an 'audience'
it also might be worth getting her ears etc checked, in case it is a sign that something is hurting?

[Islamum]

my nephew does it when he's bored and wants attention. my cousin used to like the noise his head made on the bathroom tiles!

[NotEvenHopingForAWhiteXmas]

Thank you for these responses, which are reassuring, particularly for the link. According to that

"Curiously, one large study of this habit in healthy children found head-bangers to be measurably advanced compared to their peers. If anything, then, head banging in healthy children can be a sign of increased intelligence."

Perhaps I'll take it as a positive