Head banging is common in children. Boys are  3 times more likely to do it than girls .  It usually starts around the second half   of your baby’s first year of life. It usually peaks between 18 and 24 months  and may last for several months or even years. Most children  usually outgrow it around 3 years .

What are the causes of head banging in children ?

Some of the reasons that children engage in head banging include the following :

• frustration : Children usually bang their heads when throwing tantrums. It’s  a way of expressing strong emotions.
• self comforting : most toddlers do this to relax  . The rhythmic motion of banging may help the child sooth himself
• pain relief : Your child may bang his head if he is in pain.It seems to make them feel better by distracting them
• seeking attention : This is a way of getting your attention. The child will continue to do this until he gets the attention he wants
• developmental problem : Occasionally this behavior may be linked to developmental disorders such as autism. However it’s rare for head bagging alone to be a serious problem.

What can i do about my baby’s head banging ?

These tips will help you deal with your baby’s head banging

• protect your child from injury by making your house childproof. You should also avoid putting pillows  and blankets in your child’s crib  to reduce the risk of suffocation.
• give your child attention . Make sure your child has plenty of positive attention when he is not banging his head . If he continues to bang his head , try to ignore it otherwise you will reinforce the behavior. It is unlikely for the child to hurt himself
• start a bedtime routine that is soothing . Giving  your child a warm bath, reading  a book to him or playing soft music can be soothing

NOTE

Consult your doctor if you are worried about your child’s behavior. If he bangs his head all day even after hurting himself, then  there is a cause for concern. Call your doctor if  this behavior is accompanied by other symptoms such as

• loss of physical abilities ,  speech or language
• child become increasingly withdrawn from people
• has delay in achieving common milestone