Head banging

[annmar]

DD2 is 2 next week and we're trying to night wean her.

The plan was to do it slowly, so decided no milk between 11.00pm and 4.00am.

When she wakes up DH or I go in and the tantrum starts.

I don't mind tantrums, and can usually block them out, but DD2 bangs her head on the floor.

She bangs with some force and we're getting a bit worried she might do herself some damage.

I've tried putting a quilt on the floor to soften the impact, but she just moves it.

Does anyone have any ideas how to stop the head banging or how to make it safe?

Thanks.

I would buy a bean bag and place her there if she goes to move off it place her back. This may need to be repeated and repeated. Other than placing her back give her no attention.

Does she just drop and do it or does she prepare and go on her knee's ect?

When she has calmed down praise her for calming down.

Thanks for the reply.

She says "I go bang head now". She gets no attention until she stops and then she gets a cuddle and a drink of water when she stops.

I think I'm going to put an old mattress down, see if that helps.

My DS used to bang his head on the floor when he didn't get his own way and I found it very distressing. It was when he was about 18 months. I went to see someone about it and she said it's very common, and (as you already know) stems from frustration and anger.

I was advised to hold DS tight and keep telling him I love him very much and that he's not to be upset - so controlling him but making him feel secure and loved at the same time. I'd pick him up and hold him close - sometimes with his back to me as it was easier to restrain him this way if he started flailing - and gently rock him and keep saying lovely things to him.

Maybe you could try hanging on to her when she says she's going to bang head - take control, but in a loving way.

The woman I went to see also emphasised the importance of loads and loads of praise and reinforcement of good behaviour; so once she calms down, lots of praise etc. The woman said you may feel you're being over the top at first but you're not.

Anyway, her advice helped me. I don't think ignoring bad behaviour necessarily works all the time. I can see the logic (don't feed the behaviour by giving it attention) - but it can also be a helpful tactic to not let the behaviour happen in the first place.

Good luck - and she'll grow out of it. Mine did (although we're on to the tantrums now - but that's another story!)

my DS2 who will be 2 on tuesday has started head banging - unfortunately he prefers to bang his head off my DS1's head as well as the floor. Health visitor di advise me that is is all to do with his frustration (he also has a speech delay and practically no vocabulary) and that i should ignore it. Kinda hard to do when he has his brother by the scruff of the neck head-butting his nose......

Your doughter also appears in control of the situation from tyhe point of view that if children just do it instead of warning you tend to have setiouse emotional problems

She isn't trying to get herself back to sleep is she? My DS used to bang his head against the wall/cot/highchair to try to get himself to sleep - at about 18 months I recall. I dont think it was a longlasting phase and he never hurt himself.