DS banging his head

[Sookeh]

DS is 18MO this month and recently has started banging his head on the floor when being told off.

"Telling off" is usually telling him gently "no" when he's throwing his toys around/hitting his sister etc. He seems to hit people in frustration too and this is definitely not learned behavior.

He bends over from a standing position and bangs his head on the floor once or twice before continuing on with what he was doing, but he's done it hard enough to leave a bruise

Strongly considering getting him a helmet! Any ideas on why he's doing this and how to stop it would be appreciated.

Hi, I have had a headbanger. My dc does it for a reaction. The most useful advice we had was to ignore it completely. if you need to, quickly shove a small cushion under his head a walk away. also don't give attention/check for brusing until a wee bit later (when he's been doing something else for a wee bit.)
How vocal is your ds? This could be a cause of his frustration perhaps?

He's vocal but doesn't know too many words yet. He seems to be having "tantrums" a lot. It seems a bit early for that though?

I think the problem is he gets attention when he does it straight away, I'll rush over and cuddle him or check on him etc.

It's so odd though, never seen another toddler do it before.

I don't think it is soooo unusual. I have a head banger too, does it in same situations as your DS. He does it more if he is getting insufficient attention which he often is as he is Dc2 !

he also pretends to be hurt sometimes...i think this is just because he has watched his sister .. Drama queen extra ordinaire ... when she falls over etc.

No advice really but just a large dose of understanding. I suspect it might be a boy thing.

Not a boy thing, my DD who is also 18 months does it. If she gets cross about anything she lies or kneels down and bangs her forehead off the floor. It really worried me at the start as she would do it quite hard, but I try to ignore it now and it seems to have reduced in frequency.

Not a boy thing. It's my dd that did it. still does it on occasion at preschool where they fuss more over it
Also does the pretending to be hurt thing.

yes one of mine did

we got a carpet sample from the local shop and just shoved in under him and then let him get with it

it IS a phase, it DOES pass, usually as language acquisition increases

Yup I had the same problem some time ago - walls, floor, furniture. Actively ignoring it helps. Have even thrown a cushion on the floor for him to bang his head on and rest upon when finished with tantrum and walked out. 4 weeks on it worked ( DS 2.1)

As pfb parent I did think if buying a Thudguard but then thought it was a bit OTT...but check it if it suits you..

Hth