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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

HEAD BANGING - 12Mth Old

8 replies

FoxyGeordie · 05/04/2007 15:27

Hi PPL,

my DS has started a really bad habit of banging his head. He only does it when he's not getting attention or he's frustrated.
All the advice that i've read so far recommends not to give him attention, but my concern is that i work full time and his Nanna takes care of him during the day. She is a sterio typical grandparent who bows to his ever wim and wimpper, and rather than ignoring him, gives in to him easily.
Is this just a phase, Will he grow out of it regardless?
Any advice is greatly appretiated.

OP posts:

mylittlestar · 05/04/2007 15:33

No personal experience.

My friend's ds used to do this (extensively to the point where he was very badly bruised) and she was advised to put a bean bag or pillow on the floor where he is banging his head and pertty much leave him to it. then once he's stopped, to distract him and change the focus.

12m is very young so you can't reason with him or get him to be rational in any way

my gut feeling is that you would need to do whatever it takes to stop him hurting himself badly, but ensure that you/nanna do not place any importance on what he's done and pretty much ignore it once you know he's safe. then make an extra special effort to reward good behaviour??

I'm sure he'll grow out of it soon enough

Original poster

FoxyGeordie · 05/04/2007 15:57

Thanks I think i'll have to have a talk with his Nanna about it. Try to ensure we both try to treat the issue with a similar approch. I'll definatley try the pillow thing. I have tried to put my hand between his head and the floor, but it seems to make him want to bang it harder.

OP posts:

mylittlestar · 05/04/2007 16:10

Good luck. I'm sure it'll be fine in no time xx

suejonez · 05/04/2007 16:12

my ds (16 months) hits himself on the head (with his hand) obviously doesn't hurt himself but I don't like it. No idea why he does it but I just stop him and move on to somthing else it seems to be dying away naturally

glamourbadger · 05/04/2007 16:58

One of my twins (also 12mths) bangs her head on the back of the highchair - usually when I'm offering food she doesn't like. I can't see there is much you can do - just another "phase" they will outgrow. I just ignore it and she eventually stops. It is frustrating though as she really wallops herself and it must hurt .

Tigana · 05/04/2007 17:02

ds ocassionally bangs his head on his cot side, deliberately, and often watches for my reaction! I normally just say "that's silly. Ow!" and then ignore it or try to distract him with a teddy or book.

UniSarah · 05/04/2007 19:22

my 12 m/o does it too. annoying isn;t it. he often has a bruised forehead. We are just waiting for him to grow out of it or learn that it hurts and he doesn't have to do it. If hes about to bang on a stone floor or out side on pavement I pick him up facing away from me and hold him while ignoring him IYSWIM for a short time then try and get him going on a new activity.
Like yours our DS is doing it when frustrated or thwarted.

onlytheone · 05/04/2007 22:59

My DD did it at 15 months for about 3 months. She became quite bruised on the forehead s she would go to the garden wall or slate floor!! My HV said it was attention related and I did not agree but after a couple of weeks it became apparent. Best thing is to ignore it, but very hard! I was told she would outgrow it and she did but developed rather colourful temper tantrums!!

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