Is headbutting/headbanging normal?

[Newbarnsleygirl]

Please tell me it is as DD is doing it alot recently. She's nearly 18 months. She will bang her head on anything. Today it has been the floor, table, fridge and french doors!

[Twiglett]

yes

[Potty1]

My ds2 did this from the day he found he could stand in his cot until he was about 3. His fave thing to bang his head on was the corner post of his cot, closely followed by the slate floor in the kitchen and the hall radiator. He had a permanent bruise on his forehead and I actually got the HV to witness his antics as I thought someone would report hs bruises to social services!!

On a more serious note though ds2 did have some hearing loss and speech problems caused by glue ear. I think the banging developed from discomfort from his bunged-up-ness and his communication difficulties.

[sparklymieow]

my DD2 did this for a while, when she was about 2. She did it in anger a lot.

[haven]

from what i have been told, it is normal unless it gets out of control...or if there are other issues, but typically children will do it for a while and then stop....who knows....you know when it's a problem

[Noggermum]

No personal experience but did see a good episode of the "Baby Whisperer" about an 18 month old with same problem. As a first precaution the BW bought a big beanbag and every time the headbanging started, she picked the toddler up and placed him gently on his bag - she also completely padded out the side of his cot to stop him hurting himself. Soon, he was going to the bag by himself whenever he wanted to have a strop or let off steam!

[floppsy]

I think its normal,they say that when they are doing that just bring them to a safe place(like a beanbag)& let them carry on.That way your not giving them to much attention your just making sure that she is safe.

[Titania]

yep...ds2 aged 14 months does this all the time in a tantrum!! i ignore it.....unless it gets to the point of blood being drawn

[qsack]

hi
my ds has done this for a while, since he was about one probably. he does it quite a lot in his car seat and sometimes if he knocks his head by accident, he'll smile and then go back for more!! he rarely does it in anger so i don't bother much about it

[Nemo1977]

my ds is 17mths and does this when he gets frustrated usually acocmpanied by throwing something. I just ignore him as he isnt hurting himself although will cry when he does it but more a fake cry iykwim

[jojo38]

Yes, my son did the same. Similar age too. Frustration was the key trigger. No consoling him either. He eventually grew out of it. Unfortunately we have recently (in the last 4yrs) found out that he has dcd, developmental coordination dispraxia. Nothing we can't handle but it can be a very frustrating time for my son and a slow progress. At least we know.

Hoping your child will grow out of this soon. I am sure that it is just a phase.
Good luck.