Normal in 13 month old

[jenny84jenny02]

My son will sometimes rock on all fours and hit his head on the crib after waking from a nap?? Is this normal thank you

[MrsGregory]

I don't know how "normal" it is, but my daughter bangs her head against walls quite vigorously if I allow her.  I don't.  I intercept and stop her, and tell her "No no no." but in a very soft, soothing voice;  I'm trying to teach her that we don't slam our head into things, but I'm not scolding because she's not really doing naughty.

I was told I did the same thing at her age.
 

[mamazee]

This isn't the first time I've heard of this so it isn't an anomoly, but I don't know how common it is or anything else. My understanding is that, when associated with going to sleep or waking, it's a self-soothing thing. He might stop if you soothe him in some other way?

[sarafi]

Originally Posted by mamazee 

This isn't the first time I've heard of this so it isn't an anomoly, but I don't know how common it is or anything else. My understanding is that, when associated with going to sleep or waking, it's a self-soothing thing. He might stop if you soothe him in some other way?

 My littlest still does it at almost 18 months, pretty gently and only when really tired. It's seems a bit odd, but who am I to judge?

Unless your kid is doing it constantly, I am sure it's fine and just their way of expressing something.

[glassesgirlnj]

My 14 month old doesn't bang her head on walls, but she does hit herself on the head with toys, water bottles, etc. sometimes.

I had never thought of it as an early warning sign that she's getting tired, but that makes a lot of sense! Thanks!

[MrsGregory]

Interesting!  Mine does normally bang her head at night.

I'd never considered not stopping her.  She's slamming her skull into the wall pretty firmly though, from the posts it seems more firmly than other LOs are. 
 

[neonalee]

Originally Posted by glassesgirlnj 

My 14 month old doesn't bang her head on walls, but she does hit herself on the head with toys, water bottles, etc. sometimes.
I had never thought of it as an early warning sign that she's getting tired, but that makes a lot of sense! Thanks!

Mine did this as well, and still does at 2.5. It did scare me at first because my step-daughter (now 14) doesn't know how to deal with ... anything and used to do that REALLY hard even just a year ago. After watching carefully I've found that for mine it's mostly just experimentation. Though I'm wondering if there are other things going on, which is why i'm online today!

[element2012]

I have memories of being little and hitting my head on the wall. I've caught my 12 m/o DD hitting her head on things on purpose, along with hitting her head with her hand and other general silliness. She always has done it like she enjoys the novel-ness of it and I chalk it up to sensorial play/experimentation although DH just thinks she's looney :). I do stop her, say no and redirect her though.

[Escaping]

My 10.5 month old son does that as well, either on our headboard or the top of his crib (the two ends are solid so it's like a headboard too I guess).

It always seems to be when he's about to fall asleep but fighting it. I'm glad he's not the only one.  

[Greysonmommy]

My son doesnt bang his head but he rubs his head back and forth so now he has a bald spot on the back of his head....thebolder he is getting thebless he has benn doing it and the hair is finally growing. I never really thought if i should be concerned about it. He seems to be growing out of it, i say give it time unless she is hurting herself.

[Greysonmommy]

Oops i so messed up allll the spelling on that...sorry!