my 15 month old bangs his head on everything
 

umm... is this normal? is it safe? he seems to be testing it out, like one might kick the tires on a car. he first bangs it lightly, then pretty hard.... on the windows, on the doors, the floors, his high chair, tables... just about anything hard. i'm worried that when he's in his crib, he could literally knock himself silly.

any one with older kids been through this?

It's a phase. Cut down the volume on your stereo and comb out his mohawk. It'll help a bit.

I read a study one time (I'm sorry, I cannot for the life of me remember where) that stated tests showed that kids who bang/ed their heads tend to be more intelligent than those who don't/didn't. I don't know how accurate this is, but hopefully, it'll make you feel better. :p Also, I did a bit of research on this and most places say that if it gets really bad, slap a helmet on them. I laughed when I read that - I could just picture myself setting my 2 year old up with a helmet and a walker in a padded room. LOL

BTW, how old is he? Can you explain to him that banging his head on things may hurt his cute little brain? Maybe that banging his head will give him owies?

ETA: Sorry...I just saw the 15 month old thing.

Actually my little sister did this - we called it "the bumps" - she apparently still kind of rocks back in forth in a sitting position sort of whump whump whump when she is alone and stressed. Note that she is vp of sales for Canada for a major wireless handset provider (and never finished out highschool) travelling the Pacific Rim and around North America wheeling and dealing. So things could turn out ok.

My daughter was a banger too, and was valedictorian of her gr 8 class, and in highschool keeps getting awards for things like best overall student etc.

Hope this explains why I took a light-hearted position with your post.

must be so smart he's trying to make himself more average :p

could get him a helmet

I Googled this and found alot of articles on this behavior. Here is one:

http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/ch...ny79enc_hbang/

I would mention it to your pediatrician, just so they are aware of it.

thanks to all for the resesarch and good humor. i just found this...

"Some kids head-bang for relief when they are teething."

the little man is getting 4 molars at once.

perhaps banging the head is like when you hurt your foot and you bite your hand really hard so you don't feel how bad your foot hurts ?

Please mention it to your pediatrician.

Both rocking and banging head behavior can also be a sign of autism.

If this is what is wrong with your child, early intervention is crucial to assuring normal development.

Good luck!

My son did the same thing, he started when he was 14 months, he would hit his head on anything, including the brick fireplace. He had more bruises, I was terrified of being accused of beating him. If I pulled him away from whatever he was hitting his head on he would start banging his head with his hand. I told the pediatrician, they didn't seem to think it was any big deal, secretly I used to think that something was really wrong with him, I did, I thought he was going to have mental problems.
Well he's 16 now, stands a nice 6'3", he's a great person. I am amazed everytime I go to report card night, his teachers have nothing but wonderful things to say about him, they actually go out of their way to let me know just how well he is doing. He is taking Biology, Geometry, World History, English, French 2, Psychology and got all A's except Geometry he got a B in. He has a wonderful sense of humor and the most trouble he gives me is a little backtalk, about twice a week, from what I see some parents going through, that's nothing.
I don't know if the head banging made him so great, I do know that it didn't hurt him.

Maybe he lacks stimulation and is thumping away for entertainment purposes. Does he the little fellow do this when there is something better to do?

Did the same thing as a tyke, according to my parents... Though I'm not sure I'm the example you want to use... :lol:

While Lebell is absolutely right that those actions could be signs of autism and should be treated accordingly, I believe that it's hardly anything to worry overmuch about. Between my own personal experience and the above posts, it sounds like something rather normal even if it does seem strange.

I don't suppose your kid'd be interested in monkhood?
Pie Jesu

my SO was worried about this as well, but there are many other signs of autism that he does not exhibit. he is already developing language skills. he tracks moving objects with his eyes. he points to items he doesn't have words for, blah blah... absence of these skills might mean autism.

this is also a fine idea... i read it could be a result of over stimulation or under stimulation. boy, that really narrowed it down for me. but our little dude seems to do it in lots of different situations. sometimes while eating, sometimes while playing, and sometimes right after waking from a nap.

it's good to hear that it happens and that the child can grow up well.

i also liked the idea of having to make himself more average. i know how tough it can be to be smarter than everyone else.
:lol:

My son did this, scared the hell outta us. I think its the frustration they feel being unable to communicate, usually this is when they are really developing verbal skills.
My son, now 13, is normal & intelligent, aside from ADD, which runs through the family.

Being an older kid (18 mind you all, legal enough to be here) I used to do this. And perfectly remember doing it, never knocked myself out. I think I had ADD as a child... and quite possibly headbutted myself normal. I have that inverse reaction to medicines common with ADD children however I don't have any attention deficiency.
Hey, I almost resent that :D . I am in four advanced placement courses (college level classes) in high school with a fifth honors class on top. If your kid turns out smart just make sure he learns of FAFSA before college. ;)

Well were to begin,

Not something I like to tell most people because it is a bit embarassing.

Im 19 turning 20 and have "head-banged" all my life, and still do to this day! Most kids grow out of it but I never did. It is harmless for 99% of kids. What most people have posted above is pretty much correct, don't be worried about it at all, its not hurting him.

Let me clear up a few things and tell you what your baby is actually feeling :D


-First and foremost, it is the most relaxing and calming thing I can do when I'm stressed out.

-I only do it on my pillow, but do remember using any surface I could as a kid.

It's so hard to explain why/how it feels good but ill try my best. For me its like this: When you are really stressed or have something on your mind, alot of people (me included) can do something like listen to music to relax and take that stress off. Its JUST like that feeling. If I listen to music AND headbang I am the most relaxed I could possibly be. (more relaxed then being high or anything ive experienced)

I can also compare it to be almost a meditative state, where I can really "arrange" and workout my thoughts while I'm doing this.

For example, (this sounds made up, but it's not)

Alot of times in school I'll be working on essays or math problems. Say im stuck in an essay and can't think of anything to write next (writers block for example). If I take 5-10 minutes to just head bang and relax, 99% of the time I will be able to fix/solve the problem. Its weird but it works. I can "see" more clearly when I'm head banging and really think things over.


Thats the best I can describe it. If you have any other questions I'd love to help you out! Ask away.



Also, yes I could stop anytime I wanted. When your kids grows up he'll be fine, and he can control it easily. Right now im sure hes doing it (like i did) anytime he wants, because he doesnt know that its not normal! Once i grew up and realised no one else does it, I would just do it in my own personal time, like before bed. I rarely goto sleep without doing it. BUT i can easily goto sleep without it, like when you're younger and goto sleepovers. Its not an addiciton you dont HAVE to do it. Just feels better if you do :)


This actually took alot for me to write this, because as I said it is ab-normal and embarrassing for people that don't understand it.

But let me literate one more time doodlebird, its FINE and HARMLESS. He might grow out of it he might not. i find it to be a blessing! being able to focus,relax, and have such high concentration when I do it, really helps me out sometimes!

My son is 15 months and just started banging his head too...im not sure why he now has bruises from it,he has a doctorsappt 2morrow and i am going to ask about him doing this.I heard that it migt be a sign of autism.can anyone help??

Wow, old thread ... and this would FREAK ME THE HELL OUT!!

Jeesus!!

I get that twitch in my eye whenever my niece jumps off the couch.

...how did this start in Philosophy?

I would guess that perhaps it was in another section of the forum that no longer exists, and was moved into Philosophy when the forum was condensed.

That's what I figured... but it's amusing to see this as some type of moral conundrum.

Especially considering that toddler head-banging is pretty normal and usually harmless. In my years of working with children, I've come across several that engage in this behavior, and it usually wears off in its own good time.

My son used to do it a lot as an infant when he was tired. He would also sort of "chant" while he did it and you could see that it's almost like meditation.

He's a pretty sensitive child so I think it's mostly about shutting out other stimuli.

He's five now and does it much, much less; only when he's way overtired.

God, I was thinking exactly the same thing. He's banging his head because he can't resolve the question of why a loving god would allow bad things to happen to good people!

Halx isn't 15 months old.