Toddler hitting his head

[cloggal]

I've never smacked my son, not once, and neither has DH - but at the moment, every time he is either tired, upset or has been asked to stop doing something, he stands and smacks the side of his head a few times and shouts 'uh oh' (his usual exclamation when he knows he's done something a bit naughty/cheeky, or there's something wrong).

It's a bit unnerving to watch, should I be concerned? I've tried ignoring it, laughing, kissing his hand, saying 'no hitting'. The last one really upsets him. He's 16 months.

[RachelWatts]

Both of mine did this. DS1 grew out of it when he was 2. DS2 is 19 months and is still doing it. If he's somewhere safe and is banging his head on carpet I ignore. If he's on a hard floor then I pick him up and distract. He's too young to be doing it for a reaction.

[RachelWatts]

I misread - thought you meant he was hitting his head against another surface.

[cloggal]

Thanks Rachel - he's done it on the sofa a couple of times, but far more likely to just, er, hit himself.

Good to know I'm not alone though!

[ApplySomePressure]

My 19mo DS has also started to hit his head when he is tired/frustrated. I find unnerving, but just try and ignore.

[bluetrain]

my DS done this between the the ages of 14 months - 3 years. he still occasionally hits himself when he's anxious or scared, for example, if he gets told off for a minor thing.

DS had autism, it may be related or it may be a coincidence. when he was little doctors and health visitors just shrugged the headbanging off when I mentioned it so I'd be inclined to think it's just something some babies do.

I remember how distressing it was so you have my sympathy.
I tried everything to get him to stop - ignoring, distracting or physically holding him to he can't do it.

keep a wee eye on it, but I really think it's just one of these things some kids do

[cloggal]

thanks applysomepressure and bluetrain.

I'm pleased it's not just him. I will keep a wee eye on it. I've noticed that since he's been getting more vocal it happens less, but still when he's tired it's like a real comfort to him.

[misselphaba]

Mine hits herself if she is told off for hitting someone else. She was playing today and accidentally hit someone round the face and when asked to be slow down and say sorry she sat down and hit herself instead. She used to do the same when she was around 1 with hair pulling. She's two now. She does like to reenact things so I think it's that rather than -good god - punishing herself. I hope it is anyway.

I think when she's tired it's almost easier for her to process things physically (reenacting the behaviour on herself) rather than emotionally (saying sorry to the person and all the emotions that brings up).

It's hard to watch though.


I hope she doesn't ever do anything like that in nursery!