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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

Toddler headbutting walls in tantrums

7 replies

TTTrouble · 07/01/2010 12:42

Help please.

My DS (21 months) has started headbutting walls / floors anything else when he has a temper tantrum. If he doesn't get it right first time, he has another go.

He isn't talking yet and I'm sure it's just temper / frustration but I'm worried he's really going to hurt himself or cause lasting damage.

Any advice please.

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Wigglesworth · 07/01/2010 12:52

Hi, we are in same boat with DS (18 months), he smacks his head into walls, doors and my tiled kitchen floor. It frightened me at first but I just stay silent and pick him up move him to a "safer" area and let him get on with it. I'm not sure if that's the right thing to do but he doesn't seem to do it as much as he used to. His tantrums get positively evil when he is teething too.

chopsache · 07/01/2010 13:16

Hi, my DT has been banging her head on the floor in a rage when she doesn't get her own way for as long as I can remember (she's now 19 months). I try to pick her up and stop her, or put her on the sofa where she can't do as much damage to herself. My DH reckons we should put a bandanna on her head. The trouble is her twin has seen her do this & now tries to copy her when she's having a tantrum (although she doesn't do it with as much gusto I must admit).

sdr · 07/01/2010 13:29

My DB used to do this as a toddler - it turned out to be because he had glue ear. So may be another reason.

hellion · 07/01/2010 20:50

My DS used to do this when he was throwing a paddy. I used to ignore it, and leave the room (couldn't bear to watch). He did grow out of it. I found it was worse when teeth were coming through. I don't know if having toothache made him bang his head on the floor. We never really got to the bottom of it. Having carpets is very useful as it is a soft surface to bang.

Good luck - it is a hard time.

AnnamariaHun · 09/01/2010 19:09

Sorry to mention people like Tracy Hogg but i've just watched one of her programmes where she was helping a little boy with exactly the same problem (19month and also headbutting the floor) and she suggested putting him on a bean bag when he's having the tantrum and it really helped him so just thought i share this with you all, who knows it might help...

missmama · 09/01/2010 19:20

My 1 yr old does this. I thought he was a bit little for these sort of tantrums.
I know its normal but thought it would be a while yet.

flamingtoaster · 09/01/2010 19:26

My DS used to do this just before he started talking - it is, as you suspect, often caused by frustration at not being able to make themselves understood. I used to put a large cushion under his head when he did it. You could try to teach him a few of the signs from baby signing to help him bridge this gap until he gets talking.

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