baby who head bangs and won't sleep

[happymommy1]

My child is almost one. He has milk, gluten, and soy issues. He has reflux even with the elimination diet. He nurses and I am also on this diet. He has one sister with sensory issues and he has been "diagnosed" as a sensory kid. There are other indicators but the head banging and not sleeping are the worst symptoms. The OT who evaluated him said to use joint compression, turn him upside down if he tolerates it, use the brushing technique, and let him jump. Any other ideas that may help would be great.

[countryduck]

Sorry I don't have any help to offer you but I do understand what you are going through.  I hope someone can offer some advice.  I am going through this with our 6 month old, almost 3 year old and 5 year old.  I am just now seeing the issues clearly so I am working on getting evaluations for these guys.

[Fay]

The thing that helped my DS1 relax was holding him tightly but lovingly so that he could not move his arms or legs.  I would lie down on the sofa, and he would wedge himself between my armpit and the sofa cushion.  That was the only way he could get to sleep.  Staying asleep is a different issue.  My DS2 was a reflux baby who could not sleep more than 30 minutes and was always tired & cranky.  Tummy sleeping is what helped him the most, but he really was not able to sleep more than a few hours until after he was 2 years old.  To get the body to produce natural melatonin, I suggest getting outdoors for at least 10 minutes in the morning, at high noon and again at twilight, avoiding electric lights indoors after sunset and getting blackout curtains for the bedroom.  One of the tricks that helped DS2 with reflux at night was putting him in the Ergo carrier so that he was upright, and walking him around the block at twilight...he always came home either sound asleep or very sleepy, and his stomach was settled.

Regarding the head banging...there are a number of possible reasons for it.  I've seen my kids slap their own faces to keep themselves awake -- it's self-stimulation at its finest, right when they need all stimulation removed so that they can rest.  Another possible cause is headaches; believe it or not, banging your head on the outside slightly reduces the pain inside.  A third possibility is the need for more tactile sensory input -- the child needs to push/punch something or get a deep massage or get some kind of strong physical feedback, like from a squeeze machine.  A fourth possibility is an undiagnosed food allergy, but you already knew that.

Lots of love to you and your family.  I've been in your position, and I know it's tough.

[happymommy1]

Thanks! we love the ideas and will continue to work on this. my 6 yr old is sensory too and has some of the same issues. our prob is that our little guy is so young it is hard to find info.;)

[Emmeline II]

You may want to look for an OT facility (like this--Stone Oak Therapy) that has different equipment your child can try. Black out curtains (Target and Walmart both carry them), and weighted blankets are sleep options, and you could also try Melatonin--it comes in liquid and pill form.

My ds is 7yo and has always had trouble getting to sleep. We've been using Melatonin for about 9mos now. We just started brushing and joint compressions and this puts him to sleep more quickly than Melatonin alone.

 

[mistymama]

I guess every child is different because for my child with sensory issues, holding would make him go into total meltdown.

He does take melatonin and has for the last 6 months or so. I feel guilty because I don't know how much of is it him taking a stimulant for his ADHD at school - but it's helping.  And we can't discontinue the stimulant because it helps him SO much. 

He was also a head banger. He headbanged out of frustration until he could speak which was nearly 3 years old.  If it makes you feel any better - he's extremely verbal and well adjusted now, they almost wanted to discontinue his IEP this year he's doing so well.

I highly recommend early intervention or some type of OT for the sensory issues.  My son has Aspergers but also has a very high IQ - I can't remember where but I read before that very intelligent children are prone to head banging .. it's not always a sign of an issue.  But I would get him some help b/c it does sound like there are sensory issues at play and it certainly will not hurt.

[happymommy1]

sorry about any typos

 We are off dairy soy and gluten but  he has horrible gas this week so i am tryign to figrue out what else the prob could be.

Thanks again! He is hittingmilesontes early adn well juts sesnory is keepign him stressed. They said at this point that I cna call anytime for info from the ot but that there isnt much they can do at a visit other than train me. My 6 yr old girl does go to ot every week and she does learn coping skills bc she is old enough to think through things. I hope wiht the thign syou guys ar suggesting adn the thing sot has suggested i can get a handle on things and help him.

[khaoskat]

What Reflux medication is he on?

I can tell you we have a child with major reflux issues (actually went as far as GERD and hospitalization).  He would never sleep either, until we got his reflux under good control.  He was too young at the age really for hitting, but he would scream his head off if you tried putting him in his carseat.  Now he constantly rubs hard at his eyes, pulls his ears hard, bats at the side of his head all the time.  It is his reflux and that he penitrates into the false larnyx with both normal swallowing and when he refluxes up.  

Also, some of the reflux meds have as a side effect headaches.  Which, he could be batting at the side of his head or anywhere on his face because it hurts...and he is trying to figure out what is going on.

[happymommy1]

No meds bc it comes and goes. Plus dr is holistic and said meds longterm can cause probs. So we are trying to use diet now that he is a yr old and can sit/move when uncomfy and we are making sure not to give foods if he is uncomfy afterward. I can always hear when he is having reflux bc when he sleeps it makes a sound in his chest like there is mucus in there but there is no mucus. When eh was teeny tiny he was on baby zantac I think for a couple of minths but then the reflux went away.

I will have the dr check for signs of silent reflux when we go back in a few weeks. Also he has mucus in his stool now and we think he may be eating something else he has an allergy to. We are trying to be holistic but will put him on meds if he needs it. Seems to be related to his allergies tho and when his allergies are under control so is his reflux.

He has been labeled a sensory kid for sure adn we are continuing with brushing, joint compressions, and infant massage as wella s consistent routines.

[beenmum]

Reflux can cause all sorts of issues if not treated. Such as esophagual ulcers, pneumonia, lung infectios, cavities and stomach damage. and at worst, breathing stoppage AKA  reflux induced apnea/hypopnea.

If he is this bad, then there is a good reason to put him back on medication. If he is hurting himself b/c he is overtired and in that much pain, then he needs a new approach.  Reflux doesnt always go away, it can become symptom free (or silent) but that in no way means it isnt causing damage. And all the signs seem to show that it has returned.

[Mittsy]

Have you considered the SCD diet? We're going to be putting dd(6), who has gluten and pasteurized dairy issues, on this diet at the suggestion of our doctor.

www.pecanbread.com

[happymommy1]

Yeh I am wondering about silent reflux. Will check him out in a couple of weeks at well visit tho at the present his symptoms are not obvious right now. However, we are going to go off corn. We are already off gluten, nuts, peanuts, curry, sesame, soy, and dairy bc of his allergies and mine combined, I nurse. So bc corn is so huge in our diet and rice is too but not as allergenic, we thought we should try no corn products for 2 wks and see what happens. What is the SCD diet? Not sure if it is like what we are doing or different.

[Mittsy]

Pretty much the SCD diet is totally grain free, with the exception of nut flours. It was originally designed for people with Ulcerative Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Celiac's who had not been helped enough by the gluten-free diet. Now many people, and doctors/scientists are beginning to see that it has the same effects with children on the autism spectrum/sensory issues.

I can't tell you much more, as I'm still researching this myself. Here's another website though:

www.breakingtheviciouscycle.com