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Parenting with Gary & Anne Marie: Toddlers

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Head Banging

The activity of rhythmically banging the head against the wall or the side of the crib would naturally alarm most parents. The condition is known as head banging. An article appearing in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry (July 1983) describes head banging as part of normal development in 20 percent of healthy children. Today, research continues to support that conclusion. And while head banging and body rocking are common in autistic children, these rhythmic motor activities are also normal behaviors in healthy toddlers. Head banging might appear as early as six months and can continue through the preschool years. It usually takes place at naptime or evening sleep time and lasts from a few minutes to an hour. Research points out that for unknown reasons, boys are three to four times more likely to be head bangers than girls.

Alarming as it may be to parents, children usually do not hurt themselves while head banging. On the contrary, theoretical evidence suggests it is actually a form of comfort, not unlike thumb sucking, stroking a blanket, or rocking back and forth. Clinicians agree that although head banging is an odd way of self-comforting, it is generally harmless and, in most cases, safe to ignore. However, there are some things you can do that might help your child find a better self-soothing mechanism. Some mothers have found success in playing soft music when putting the child down to sleep. While no scientific study has been conducted on the correlation, some success is always hopeful news.

What you cannot ignore is crib or bed maintenance. The rocking back and forth is more dangerous to the child then the banging of his head because such motion can loosen the screws and bolts that hold the crib or bed together. Check them periodically.

Article by Gary Ezzo / Anne Marie Ezzo