Head Bangers

[fluffhead]

My 16 month old has begun banging his head against the nearest convenient hard surface whenever he's denied any desire. I've tried moving him to a carpeted room, but sometimes he just finds a wall or table. DW is concerned about subdural hematomas, of course.
Any suggestions?

[DCJenn]

Re: Head Bangers

Of course the neurologist's kid is a head-banger!!!

Is he hurting himself or is it behavioral (like mom freaks out and I get attention)

Jenn

[fluffhead]

Re: Head Bangers

It's attention-seeking, I'm sure, and after he gets the idea that he's not getting what he wants, nor attention, I guess the behavior will cease. But I'd also like to prevent any permanent damage before that point. :|

[DCJenn]

Re: Head Bangers

Well, with all behavior change, it may get worse before it gets better. (and that's scary when you're talking about head-banging)

I guess just do the standard reinforce to the extreme the good behaviors and stand tough on the bad.

Yikes, parenting is definitely not for the weak of heart, is it?

Jenn

Re: Head Bangers

Anna was a head-banger for a while. I'm sure it is something that happens in degrees. She did stop and I don't think she did it that hard but her forehead did get red. I can't remember if anything I did stopped it.

[Michele]

Re: Head Bangers

Daegan does that often when I put him in time-out....and sometimes if he's mad b/c I denied him something, he'll hit himself in the head with his fist. For the head banging in time-out, I'll move him to the middle of the floor for time-out, of course then he bangs his head and legs on the carpet.

I was hoping there was going to be a cure-all in this thread!

Re: Head Bangers

Quinn was a total head-banger. I tried really hard not to react to it except when it was clearly going to cause damage (a la the concrete floor in my friend's store). If I was nearby I'd try to slip a hand under his head (while continuing my conversation or whatever I was doing). He stopped ... but it was quite wearing for awhile.

On a humorous note, it always made dh and I think of that scene in Parenthood where the kid puts a bucket on his head and rams into things. We'd look at each other and say "We're so proud".

Re: Head Bangers

Quinn was a total head-banger.

When I saw you posted to this, this is child I expected to read about.

Re: Head Bangers

When I saw you posted to this, this is child I expected to read about.

and I wasn't remotely surprised to see that Anna was yours! :P

[fluffhead]

Re: Head Bangers

So basically I'm hearing "wait it out."
He's so fair, that the big red mark on his forehead hardly goes away before the next time he bangs it.
Oh well.