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Original poster

DD hits herself

7 replies

cinnamonbun · 16/02/2011 22:35

DD (20 months) has started hitting herself on the head, initially it was once maybe twice a day but now it's happening several times a day. She often does it after I've told her to stop doing something (as if to punish herself) but she often does it for no apparent reason as well. Is this normal? I find it a little upsetting every time. I usually ask her to stop when she dies it but I'm not sure it's the right approach as it may be an attention-seeking thing? Anyone else had this?

OP posts:
ducknipples · 16/02/2011 22:52

not exactly the same, but when i was about the same age i used to bang my head off the floor, usually in temper when i was told 'no!' my DM said it was like i was so frustrated at not being able to get my point across, i was trying to make myself cry, and get the tears out, by doing that instead. hence lots of diving to get her hand between my head and the floor! BUT it was just a phase, to do with my age. it didn't last long. maybe she's just frustrated at not being able to express herself as she wants?

ducknipples · 16/02/2011 22:53

bloody hell i do waffle on Blush sorry!

winnybella · 16/02/2011 23:03

DD is 24 mo and she hits herself when frustrated or when I tell her off for trying to whack me (so she hits herself instead).

poodlerockin · 16/02/2011 23:15

My DD (3) has done this a couple of times when I've told her off. I think she was extremely frustrated and upset because I told her off for something she didn't mean to do / didn't have any control over (as she was only 2 at the time).
Like you I found it very upsetting, and it scared me - so I picked her up and cuddled her straight away. And made a mental note not to be so harsh with her in future :(

skybluepearl · 17/02/2011 15:02

mine did it when he wanted to hit someone but resisted the urge - knowing hitting people is wrong he hit himself instead. it stopped by itself thankfully - was only a brief period really. i think we just talkled things through.

NoodlesMam · 17/02/2011 15:19

My DD1, now 11, used to bite herself really hard if she was angry or upset, it was a frustration thing, being unable at such a young age to articulate her feelings. She did it less and less as she got older and stopped completely by the time she was 5. Now my DD2 who is 2.8 does the same thing but hits herself rather than bites. It's very distressing to see but i learned with DD1 to get down to her level, hold her arms so she couldn't bite them anymore and talk to her calmly about the reason for her anger and if it was because she was being told off I would still stand my ground. It helped to diffuse the situation but really all i wanted to do was hug her, 1 because I was so sad that my little girl was so frustrated and upset that she resorted to biting herself and 2 because she bit herself so hard it so clearly must have hurt :( She did grow out of it tho and so will DD2 :)

Original poster
cinnamonbun · 17/02/2011 22:55

Thank you all for your advice, I think you're right that it's because of frustration at not being able to communicate properly. It's just so upsetting to watch...:(

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