[ThreeBeans]

My son went through this for a brief phase around 10 months. All the books said to ignore it, so I did, and it was gone in a few weeks. DD...not so much. It's getting worse. If I ignore her, she bangs harder. Every little frustration...bang bang bang...

Particularly if she doesn't get what she wants the second she wants.

My baby is getting bruises on her head

:

Has anyone had any luck extinguishing this behavior? I am esp. interested in your advice if you have a high-needs child (son was not high needs, dd is!)

 

[Marylizah]

My son does this. Well, he hits himself on the head (is that what you mean, or are you talking about her banging her head on surfaces?). I have no advice, but it drives me crazy to see him work out his frustration that way.

So far, I mostly ignore it too, or try to redirect him. But it's horrible to watch...

 

[ThreeBeans]

She bangs her head on the floor. HARD. Doesn't matter...carpet, wood, CONCRETE

:

 

[fortunecookie]

My son does this when he is getting a new tooth and it's hurting.

:

 

[Ducky5306]

my ds does this.. he thinks its funny so i just walk out of the room everytime he does it.. he sees me leave and stops to follow me most times.. i always hear they outgrow it.. i hope so! his poor little head

 

[wonderwahine]

DS does it, we pick him up and give him a time in whenever it starts.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderwahine DS does it, we pick him up and give him a time in whenever it starts.

I have tried that; it makes her tantrum worse

 

[wonderwahine]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThreeBeans I have tried that; it makes her tantrum worse

it does that with ds to, but we reasure him that we understand his frustrations, but you cant hurt the baby, its not nice to hurt babies head that way. He eventually calms down and nurses.

 

[rabrog]

I always said "oh that hurts your little head!" whenever DD would do it. It took a while be she outgrew it.

Or you could do what my mom did - she kept just a bit of water in the fridge. The next time I started doing it, she threw it in my face. I am not recommending that approach, but it worked!

Jenn

 

[Jenlaana]

My daughter does this... she either gets on her knees and does a head to the floor prayer looking kinda thing and bangs her head repeatedly, or she throws herself backwards with all her might (sitting OR standing!!) so she'll fall to her bum and then throw herself backwards till her head hits the floor. She doesnt care where it is or whats behind her. Yesterday my DH was letting her walk in the grocery store while I checked out and when he stopped her from the direction she was going and pointed her towards the check out counter she threw a fit and was midway through the throwing herself to the ground and throwing herself backwards bit and he caught her thankfully so she didnt hit her head. My DD is about 20 mos old and I'm hoping its a stage. She only does it when she is in pain (teething/ear ache) or when she's tired so I know its not just her being defiant or anything on purpose, but it bothers me anyways.

 

[a_cthelen]

My son does this and has been doing so for about 7 months now. He does it when he doesn't get his way, is tired, wants my undivided attention (usually when I am on the potty), or is not feeling well. I generally tell him, "That's going to hurt if you do that, love." He looks at me and most of the time stops. I try to catch him before he does it. It seems to be getting better. I think the best thing to do is to affirm their frustration but show them that it's not a safe way to express their feelings. I try to give him something else to do, like nurse or hold him. It's a tough one, isn't it?

 

[sbm1001]

If she's hurting herself, banging her head on things, you shouldn't ignore it. Let her have the outburst (sometimes everyone benefits from a healthy outburst) but don't allow her to hurt herself in the process. Drop what you're doing & prevent her from hurting herself. She'll grow out of it, thankfully. GL!

Shannon