Does anyone else have a head banger?

[slushie]

Dd2 is 16months. When she's having a tantrum she bangs her head. If she isn't near anything she will run over to the wall, stairgate etc so she can bang her head against it.

I'm not sure what to do. I have tried moving her to somewhere soft but she just moves back to the hard object.
This along with the fact that she is quite clumsy and I'm starting to worry about the amount she hits her head. I have rung the Hv but was wondering if anyone has any advice?

I apparently did this as a young child

My parents spoke to a doctor as they were so worried. The doctor put it down to frustration at not being able to fully express myself and do things I wasn't yet able to. He said it would stop once I was able to express myself better and also that I wouldn't do it if it hurt.

He was right and I can now safely say there is no lasting damage

yup we have a head banger too.
grim isn't it?

The good news is it does get a lot better as they can express themselves more. DS is now 2.2 and over the worst of it.

The main strategy we used was being ready for frustration and intervening when he was about to 'bang' so if you're going to say 'no' about something then be ready.
I would chuck him on a beanbag which sort of distracted from the original frustration.
I hovered a lot but it saved some huge bruises particularly as we had a tiled floor.
I also tried to vocalise what he was feeling eg I know you're cross but mummy doesn't understand what you want - let's play something else

good luck - it does get better