Dd is hitting herself and it is really upsetting to see.

[cahwilson]

My dd (17 mo) recently began hitting herself (along with everything else). She occasionally bangs her head too which seemed to be linked with food allergies but she has started doing it again. When she gets upset or mad she will hit herself in the face repeatdly. I have started holding her hands down (gently) and telling her that I love her to much to let her hurt herself and trying to calm her down. I just can't stand to watch her do that to herself. She also does it randomly for no apparent reason. She hits our pets and her toys frequently (not hard) and then says ow and does the sign for hurt. We always tell her that hitting hurts and that we don't hit. A lot of the time her hitting is not out of aggression. I just don't know how to handle it. We have never hit her nor has she ever witnessed hitting that I am aware of. Any thoughts or suggestions?

[mandalin24kd]

I just have to say, ......... Wow, do you have a normal child! I have spent years around toddlers. There is nothing wrong with her. She did not learn this behavior. She just found a new way to express herself!

Maybe you could start showing new ways to get her point across.

But, in the end, this is not abnormal behavior. And it has nothing to do with being hit by someone or witnessing it. And oh course you don't want to see her do this to herself, but she wants you to worry. And she wants you to know how angry she is. And remember that doesn't fully understand the consequences of these actions yet. Have you showed her a consequence? Instead of being all over her when she does this, sit her by herself maybe and tell her that you really want to help her, but you can't until she stops. And then walk away.

And no, this does not mean you are abandoning her. She is fine. You are showing her a consequence.

[Way Up North]

I agree, it isn';t an unusual behaviour for toddlers to try out.

My daughter does this ONLY if she has had red dye #40. Worth a thought if you have other food allergies issues (we do).

L