If your toddler hits him/herself on the head

[McGucks]

We finally found something that stops it!  We had tried lots of things:  giving him something else to hold with his hands, saying "be gentle/easy/soft," telling him no, etc.  None of it ever worked and he hits HARD...seemed like it would've hurt.  We don't have t.v., so he's not mimicking anything he's seen on a screen, and (obviously, but I feel the need to say) don't hit him, but he still hit his head with his fist pretty often.  It upset me.

Now, we distract him by saying "Where's your [fill in the blank--ears, tummy, etc.]?"  Works every time.  He points to whatever I'm asking him and forgets he was hitting his head.

edited for typo

[expat-mama]

 Glad you found something that works. I found asking DS to point out body parts or other things works to distract him from a lot when he's doing something I'd rather he not.

We deal with DS hitting his head out of frustration and when he's upset too- what works for us is and makes him feel better is asking him to give me a kiss or hug. He often just melts right into me and feels better instantly. 

It's such a horrible thing though isn't it? It just breaks my heart when he does this. Even though we found a way for him to stop doing it in the moment, I think it's just a behaviour that will continue until he grows out of it. I've heard and read other moms say this. Just overwhelming feelings and frustration that they learn to deal with over time.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Whew, I just came on to post about this.  DD started doing this tonight for the first time ever when I told her not to hit me, she started hitting herself. OMG it is breaking my heart and totally freaking me out.  Sounds like it's fairly normal though,