My son bangs his head on the floor

Vote this down

The answer with the most votes is considered to be the best. Disagree? Vote for your favorite answer below.

If you want to try and break him from it, try demonstrating. It's sort of like a mimic game. You start by (pretend) banging your head like him. Then ease out of it and into something else, clapping, growling, rocking, or kicking your feet in the air. Do whatever works, the goal being for him to follow along, to quit banging his head when you do, and start doing what your doing. This will teach him other ways to express anger and comfort himself.

Answered by ADMINTODD {1104}
http://www.toddolivas.com
1/20/2010 9:10:24 PM

[0 Votes]

He sounds like he has a lot of energy.� Is he doing it all the time or just certain times of the day.� It might be just the little guy doesn't know (yet) how to chanel his energy properly.

Get him a helmet!

I hope your helmet remark was a joke! - abbamom123 1/21/2010 2:41:05 PM | Flag

Answered by MomOfFive {297}
2/1/2010 11:26:17 PM

[0 Votes]

This child is smart as a whip and strong willed. He will test every rule and more than once. You're right, attention is what he's looking for....but actually as in a game. It's called Rattle Mom's Chain. It's certainly not that he doesn't get attention, but at his age, its never enough. I'm also sure it breaks your heart if he gets hurt....even if he does it to himself.

My opinion...if you can manage it, walk away from him so you can't see him banging. Don't even tell him not to do it, cause trying to MAKE him stop just escalates the problem, and then it becomes a control issue. Essentially, be very busy and ignore the banging. No attention either positive or negative. This will hurt you more than it does him.

I agree on the behavioral management you prescribed. If this still doesn't work maybe it's time to seek professional help especially if it's become persistent. This may lead to head traumas and possible brain damage also. - melissam 3/2/2010 2:46:58 AM | Flag

Walk away from him our just turn your back and fold laundry, read a book or whatever else you can find to do. He will get the message that this is not working on Mommy. Yep, kids are smart. He will more than likely stop if he realizes he has given himself a headache for no good reason! - MomUv5 3/4/2010 8:28:12 PM | Flag

You have a good point, this may be what he's doing. - ErinS 4/1/2010 10:25:27 AM | Flag

I agree with MomOfFive, walk away from him. If you do not then you are reinforcing this negative behavior by giving him the attention that he wants. - smcharlton 4/13/2010 1:30:06 PM | Flag

Answered by Oma54 {55}
3/18/2010 9:53:04 PM

[0 Votes]

My son did this at about that age only he banged his head on the crib. It was done out of frustration and he did outgrow it. He is now a grown and successful adult. Hang in there. I know it's tough to watch - just try to talk to him calmly doing an episode.

Answered by ErinS {385}
http://www.possumpoet.com
4/1/2010 10:24:44 AM

[0 Votes]

This can be scary for a parent, and if you have any concerns I would speak to your pediatrician. He may just be being honery, but there also may be another reason. Covering all of your bases is always will at least give you peace of mind that you are looking for solutions.

Answered by georgiagin {246}
4/1/2010 12:40:02 PM

[0 Votes]

I have a good friend of mine who's son did this also. We found out that her son has Asperger's syndrome and this is a common symptom of it. It's a mild form of autism. I'm not trying to scare you or something, but it's very common in especially bright children. Her son was reading by the time he was 3.

Answered by Otter {202}
4/2/2010 8:37:52 PM

[0 Votes]

I hate to sound like a broken record, but ask your child's doctor! It isn't normal, in my opinion! Not to the extent that he is hurting himself. If it was just for attention, it would be fake. But really hurting means he's out of control totally. Scary situation.

Answered by HeavenlyMommy {656}
http://www.heavenlymommy.com
4/3/2010 1:18:12 AM

[0 Votes]

Thank you all for your help. I wrote this question a couple months ago. My son no longer bangs his head on the floor :) I believe he was just doing it to express his frustration, not to cause any harm to himself. Thanks again!