[Beeblebrox]

DD is almost 1 and lately when she's frustrated, tired, or sometimes just out of the blue she'll hit herself in the head with both hands. She isn't doing it hard or anything and if I ask her to be gentle she'll slow down or stop, but it worries me that she's doing it at all. Is this normal?

 

[broodymama]

My DS started doing the same thing around that age, it worried me too. For him it was when he was getting really frustrated and couldn't communicate what he wanted. He would also bang his head on the floor. He gradually outgrew it over the next 4 months or so. I know that's not much of an answer for you, but just wanted to let you know your DD isn't the only one.

 

[CrazyCatLady]

Mine did it too at that age. The fact that she's being soft about it and will listen to you when you tell her to be gentle, really makes me believe that it's just a phase and nothing to worry about. After the hitting her head phase was over, mine moved on to the dropping to the floor and rolling around in frusteration.

 

[Beeblebrox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melaya After the hitting her head phase was over, mine moved on to the dropping to the floor and rolling around in frusteration.

Oh won't that be fun!

 

[Pandora114]

Mine was doing the whole prostrating on the ground and bashing her head off of it....

So dont worry! At least yours is using her hands!

They grow out of it..

 

[moonpie's_mama]

my dd is almost 15 months, and she pulls her hair out by the handful. it kinda freaks me out, but if i distract her she quits. i think she's doing it out of curiosity, because she loves to see all the fine, blonde hairs sticking out from between her fingers!

also, the first time she did it, i totally made a scene without thinking, so i know that's part of it too. i'm hoping she grows out of it soon, because as it is everyone thinks she is a boy! if she pulls all her hair out, it'll really get bad...

 

[Beeblebrox]

Thanks to everyone! Since I only have 1 child, she is my whole frame of reference

.

 

[LoveChild421]

ds does that all the time when he's tired. It looks like he's trying to slap himself awake.

 

[3littlebirds]

i'm so glad i read this thread. my 12-month-old son hits his head and bangs it on the ground when he's frustrated or when i take something (dangerous) away from him. i pretty much assumed it was typical behavior, but it makes me feel better to read about other toddlers doing this. i have been responding by saying, "i see you're frustrated. what can we do to help you?..." and so forth. i figure as time goes on, he'll understand what i'm saying.

i read that boys are 20-30% more likely to bang their heads. the same article said that the behavior is associated with higher intelligence.