Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog

Baby Hitting Head with Hands Normal? The Whys, and What to Do

Is your baby hitting head with hand? Or the baby might baby keeps hitting head on floor, wall, crib, or mattress? Despite how uncomfortable it may seem, the phase is normal most often.

Let’s unravel why these repetitive moments happen and how to react in situations in which young children hit themselves!

In rare cases, when a toddler hits himself, it isn’t too harsh to cause any injuries, and the baby banging head phase will go away over time.

But, let’s cover everything in-depth, so you can rest assured that everything is okay with your kid!

Key Takeaway :

  • Baby head banging is often a normal behavior seen in infants, particularly before bedtime.
  • Babies may hit their heads as they explore their environment, similar to other developmental phases like thumb sucking.
  • Head banging can be a way for babies to self-soothe, especially before sleep, helping them relax and fall asleep.
  • While usually harmless, parents should monitor the behavior and seek medical advice if it becomes excessive or is accompanied by other symptoms.
  • If unsure how to manage head banging or if it persists, consult with a pediatrician or child development specialist for personalized guidance.

Why Is My Baby Hitting Head with Hand?

According to Clevelandclinic.org, a baby slapping head is part of the normal behavioral phase. It often happens before bedtime and might be followed by body rocking.

Around 20 percent of babies, more frequently boys than girls, bang their heads. The behavior may occur without early intervention or after six months from birth, and last to the second all third years of age.

But, why do babies headbutt? Let’s go through several reasons.

Child Bangs Head As Part Of Growth and Exploration

For parents who are curious about whether is it normal for babies to hit themselves, here’s the explanation:

In a baby’s life, there are several important developmental phases. Baby hitting head on crib, is understood in the scientific community as normal, repetitive behavior, as a way for the baby to interact with the world around them.

Babies hitting head on floor is a way for the baby to discover space. Other developmental phases and repetitive behaviors, such as thumb sucking teething or humping objects, aren’t as scary as hitting the head, but those have similar roots and causes.

Toddler Banging Head Due to Frustration

Why is my baby banging head when angry? Commonly, a toddler bangs head when upset. It is a sign that you might have done something to upset the child.

For example, you might have served broccoli instead of carrots, and the kid doesn’t have language skills to explain the feeling. At this moment, temper tantrums or sudden emotional outbursts happen, and toddlers may express their feelings differently.

As the baby gets language skills, head banging will naturally go away. You can also distract the baby with Montessori toys that improve social or emotional skills.

Toddler hitting head could be a sign of frustration - Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog
Toddler hitting head could be a sign of frustration. Source: Today’s Parent

Baby Bangs Head As A Way to Self-Soothe

When a child bangs head before sleep time, it can be the way to soothe and fall asleep. The scientific term is rhythmic movement disorder. In most cases, children hitting themselves before sleeping is a short-term behavior that doesn’t last more than 15 minutes.

If rhythmic movement disorder happens near sleep time or during sleep, there is nothing to worry about.

Toddler hitting head with hand before sleep is like other repetitive habits such as body rocking or leg shaking. Some children enjoy body rocking before sleep, other babies hit their heads repeatedly until they fall asleep.

Simply, banging the head is a rhythmic movement that calms the baby. Often, when the baby wakes in the middle of the night, he might repeat the repetitive motions, to soothe and go back to sleep.

However, some parents may find this behavior disturbing, especially if you wake up to see your 1 year old hitting head over and over again. If the kid repeatedly bangs the head against a pillow or mattress, don’t intervene.

Wait a few minutes, so you’ll see your baby falling asleep again. You’ll disturb the kid more if you transfer it to your bed, then leaving the baby to self-soothe.

Watch the video to understand more about baby’s sleep movements:

Baby Slaps Head As A Gesture of Pain Relief

Why does my baby hit himself? If your baby keeps hitting the same area continuously, it might be pain related and indicate that the child experiences pain in that area. The new tooth coming out is irritating for the children. The same applies to ear infections or a sore throat.

Some babies won’t always hit their heads when in pain. Some might rub the area on most head or scratch it, and won’t allow you to touch the painful place.

My little girl was rubbing her ear when she had an ear infection. After the first couple of infections, I noticed the pattern and was able to react in time.

Therefore, keep an eye for repetitive movements and localized behavior to check if your child is experiencing pain.

It is possible your child is trying to relief pain through the action of banging their head or hitting head with hand - Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog
It is possible your child is trying to relief pain through the action of banging their head or hitting head with hand. Source: Baby Info

Child Enjoys Seeing Your Reaction From Their Head Banging

Lastly, when an infant hitting head with hand, it can get your reaction. Think about what you are doing when the baby bumps head on crib. Do you gasp and kiss the sore place? Or do you ignore it?

If you do the first one, the chances are that your baby hits head on wall or floor to get your attention. You should ignore the behavior or offer something else instead of your undivided attention.

Wait several seconds and give your child a toy to distract him from waiting for your love expressions.

As long as the baby isn't banging the head against tiles or pavement, and isn't hurting himself, you don't need to respond to it immediately - Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog
As long as the baby isn’t banging the head against tiles or pavement, and isn’t hurting himself, you don’t need to respond to it immediately.

The Different Forms of Head Banging in Children

There are several ways the head banging manifests in babies and toddlers. Sometimes, a baby hits back of head with the hand or other objects.

Other times, children might bang their head against the wall, crib, mattress, pillow, or any object near them at the moment when they feel frustrated.

Rhythmic movement disorder or repetitive head banging that happens before sleep might occur when a child is in an upright position, so you’ll notice the baby whose head bang against the crib railing.

Additionally, some babies who seek their parent’s reaction might keep hitting themself with both hands or using toys to hit them.

But, identifying the reason why do babies bang their heads is not always accurate only by observing the form of head banging. Parents can consider getting some information through reading single parenting books or just any parenting books that mentioned experiences with such a behavior.

If your kid bangs the head against crib rails before sleep, you should put soft cushions on rails to prevent self harm - Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog
If your kid repeatedly bang the head against crib rails before sleep, you should put soft cushions on rails to prevent self harm. Source: Raisingchildren.net.au

What To Do When Baby Hits Head?

Despite the fact that head banging is normal and common in babies’ development, most parents find it disturbing. So, instead of imagining worst-case scenarios and linking the head banging with mental illnesses, you can try some of the following ways to respond to this behavior.

Ignore It

Ignoring the child’s head banging, is the most challenging, and the most effective way to deal with it. If your kid is banging head against pillow or mattress to get your attention, try to ignore it, but only if the kid is safe during head banging.

When there isn’t a risk of self harm, ignoring it might help the child continue with the meal or play, or go back to sleep. Don’t worry, leaving your kid in the crib to sleep instead of bringing him in your bed won’t affect the parent-child bond.

However, if your kid keeps banging his head against the wall or crib, you can try some of the following ideas to address the problem.

Change the Crib Location

Sometimes, baby smacking head, hitting the head against the crib or other crib alternatives makes loud sounds which further encourage the baby to continue doing it. You may move the crib from the wall or use pillows in the crib to mute the sounds.

Also, ensure your child is comfortable in the crib, and you’re using the correct mattress height for the baby’s age. You can also teach the baby to sleep in a crib, assuming that the crib is comfortable and a safe sleeping environment.

Preverbal children use different forms of expression such as screaming, toy throwing and head banging to deal with their emotions and pain - Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog
Preverbal children use different forms of expression such as screaming, toy throwing and head banging to deal with their emotions and pain. Source: Babyology.com.au

Sleep Training

For children with rhythmic movement disorder, it is useful to come up with a calming sleeping routine.

The first thing you can do is dim the lights or turn them off completely. You can find some soothing soft music, use baby light projectors or use a device with white noise at a safe distance, which is around 7 feet away from the crib.

Instead of music, you can try reading your child a story. Even though the baby won’t understand the story, to hear the sound of the parent’s voice may be enough to help them calm and fall asleep easier. If you feel like it, you can sing a lullaby or use a device with lullabies.

For a nighttime routine, you can include a warm bath and a tummy massage.

Lastly, you may try rocking your baby to sleep. It is a beautiful routine for both kid and self comfort for the parent and helps you build a sleeping routine easier.

However, be mindful of when to stop so it won’t cause sleep disorders or affect the sleeping routine when your kid gets older.

When Is Baby Head Banging A Huge Problem?

As you can see, head rolling and head banging for most babies is a common and normal phase in developing their attitude toward their environment – parents, their emotions, and objects around them. Many times, you have nothing to worry about.

For parents who are worried for “why is my baby hitting his head?” concern, there are a couple of cases in which you should see the baby’s doctor or a pediatrician.

Head Banging Causes Self Harm

If your baby hit head hard on sturdy objects, or edges of the chair, table, or a crib that caused visible cuts, swelling, bulges, and dents, seek medical help immediately. Severe injuries rarely happen during the head banging phase. However, if those occur by accident, ensure you react on time.

Frequent Head Banging

When your baby keeps hitting head with hand and it causes bumps and bruises and does it too often, schedule an appointment with your doctor. Sometimes, an underlying condition causes pain in babies, so they try to distract themself from the pain and discomfort they feel.

Sometimes, the gastroesophageal reflux in babies might make them continuously hit their heads. You can have your kid checked for throat infections, reflux, ear infections, etc.

Head Banging with Delayed Development

You should discuss delayed speech, delayed gross or fine motor skills development, accompanied by head banging with your pediatrician. Also, if the baby has poor socializing skills before head banging occurs, discuss it with your doctor to rule out various conditions.

Babies with disabilities or developmental delays who repeatedly bang on their heads might develop more severe issues. In these cases, most doctors will recommend closer observation. That way, the pediatrician may rule out some conditions.

Before you see your pediatrician, keep a journal in which you’ll write short notes about the frequency and form of head banging in your child. It can also be helpful for the doctor to see a video of your kid banging his head. So, instead of gasping when your baby starts hitting its head, you can take your phone and record a video.

How to Prevent Injury from Baby Hitting

As parents, observing our babies hitting themselves, especially on their heads, can be distressing. But fear not! With some simple yet effective precautions, you can significantly reduce the chances of injury and ensure a secure environment for your little bundle of joy.

To prevent the risk of injury from a baby hitting themselves, you can consider the following methods:

Supervise Carefully

Always keep a close eye on your baby, particularly during times when they seem prone to hitting themselves, such as when they are frustrated or overtired.

Create a Safe Environment

Baby-proof the surroundings by removing any sharp objects or hazards that could cause harm if struck. Ensure that furniture and play areas are padded or cushioned to minimize the impact of any accidental hits.

Provide Soft Toys

Offer soft, plush toys that your baby can safely hit or squeeze to release energy or frustration without risking injury to themselves.

Redirect Attention

When you notice your baby starting to hit themselves, gently redirect their focus to a different activity or toy to distract them from the behavior.

Teach Gentle Touch

Use positive reinforcement and gentle guidance to encourage your baby to interact with objects and people in a non-harmful manner. Model gentle touch and provide praise when they engage in appropriate behavior.

Address Underlying Causes

Determine if there are any underlying reasons for your baby’s self-hitting behavior, such as teething discomfort or sensory issues, and take steps to address these issues proactively.

Seek Professional Guidance

If you’re unsure about how to manage your baby’s self-hitting behavior or if it persists despite your efforts, consult with a pediatrician or child development specialist for further advice and support. They can offer personalized recommendations based on your baby’s unique needs and circumstances.

Is Head Banging a Sign of Autism?

Parents may asked is head banging a sign of autism ? Head banging or head butting behavior can occur in both neurotypical children and those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, there can be differences in the frequency, intensity, triggers, and contexts of head banging between these two groups.

Here are some key behaviors commonly observed in kids with autism that may help distinguish between the two:

Autism-associated head banging/head butting:

– Repetitive and stereotyped behavior: Children with autism may engage in head banging as part of a broader pattern of repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. These behaviors often serve as a way most children to self-regulate or self-soothe in response to sensory overload or to fulfill a need for stimulation.

– Limited communication skills: Children with autism may have difficulty communicating their needs or expressing themselves verbally. Head banging may be a non-verbal way for them to communicate distress, discomfort, or frustration.

– Sensory sensitivities: Children with autism often have sensory sensitivities and may seek sensory input or try to block out overwhelming sensory stimuli. Head banging may be a way to modulate sensory experiences or to seek proprioceptive input self stimulation.

– Difficulty with transitions: Children with autism may struggle with transitions and changes in routine. Head banging may occur in response to transitions or situations perceived as stressful or unpredictable.

– Social and emotional challenges: Children with autism may have difficulties understanding and navigating social interactions and emotions. Head banging may occur in response to social stressors or as a way to cope with anxiety or social isolation.

– Focus on specific objects or interests: Children with autism may exhibit intense interests in specific objects or topics. Head banging may be associated with these focused interests or occur during repetitive play involving specific objects.

It’s important to note that while head banging can be more commonly associated with autism, it’s not necessarily a definitive indicator of the condition on its own. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is needed to assess the underlying causes and determine appropriate interventions or support.

Conclusion

Raising a kid is challenging, especially because many milestones can go unrecognized, and be misunderstood as harmful developmental problem. For example, is a toddlers head banging normal? Toddler hitting himself rarely indicates a developmental problem. It is more likely a self soothing technique that many kids repeat.

Often, baby hitting head with hands is normal behavior that happens in early childhood. It is part of rhythmic movement disorder, or a way for babies to express their strong emotions!

But, missed developmental milestones and head banging, are a reason to talk with your pediatrician.

Does your baby bang their head? How do you usually respond to kids banging their head?

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Is Baby Hitting Head with Hand A Normal Thing - Baby Journey blog

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