Head-banging: A Sign Of A Disturbed Toddler?
It's not uncommon for toddlers to bang their heads on the pillow over
and over again before going to sleep. Should you be concerned?
It's
true that disturbed children will rock rhythmically and bang their heads.
However, if the toddler is otherwise happy, it's just their way of getting
to sleep. Ignore it.
'That's
how I go to sleep'
Toddlers usually bang their heads when they are tired. They do it because
it sends them to sleep. Like thumb sucking and nail biting, head-banging
is a comforter. There's evidence that teething pain can lead to head-banging
and it's also more common around the time a child makes its first step.
Some
toddlers will also head-bang if they wake in the night. Parents may wake
to hear noise of the cot rocking backwards and forwards. After a night
of vigorous 'rocking and rolling' a toddler can move the cot several feet!
If the noise disturbs the family you can pad the walls around the cot
or put something soft under the legs.
Should
I call a doctor?
Don't worry. Although sometimes a child can bruise his forehead, your
child will not fracture his skull or damage his brain. Forget what your
friends say and trust your instincts. If you know he is content and well-adjusted,
ignore what other people say.
If
head-banging happens during the day and your child is lethargic and losing
skills already acquired, call your doctor. If he has suddenly started
to do this and has a fever, or other signs of illness, he may have an
ear infection. Ask your health visitor or GP for assistance.
Headbanging tantrums
Some toddlers will throw themselves down
on the ground in a tantrum and bang their heads in frustration. If you
react in a panic and give in to him, this will become the method he uses
to get his own way. Ignore it. Headbanging on a pillow is one thing, headbanging
on the floor is something else. Your toddler has enough sense to stop
doing something that hurts him.
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