It may be a bit disturbing when you spy your toddler repeatedly hitting his sweet head on something hard. Your first reaction is, of course, fear that he’ll hurt himself — and then you might start to wonder whether something more worrying is going on inside his little noggin'.
But the good news is that in most cases, head-banging isn’t a big deal. Read on for its causes and how to react if it happens.
What is toddler head-banging and is it common?
Toddler head-banging is a common childhood habit that consists of repeatedly hitting the head against something hard every one or two seconds, sometimes for around 15 minutes or longer — up to even more than an hour in some cases.
Toddlers tend to bang their heads against the sides of their cribs, on the wall next to the bed, or on the mattress, usually before naptime or bedtime, or during sleep.
In many cases, this ritual is completely common and it isn’t a sign of a bigger problem.[1] In fact, as many as 2 in 10 healthy children between 6 months and 4 years of age will engage in this activity at some point in early childhood, though these motions usually ease up by age 2 or 3. Boys are more likely to head-bang than girls, and head-banging may run in families.
What causes toddler head-banging?
The exact causes of toddler head-banging aren’t fully understood, but there are several theories as to why toddlers may constantly hit their heads against something, including the following:
Self-soothing. Along with thumb-sucking, body-rocking and hair-twirling, head-banging is a comforting habit with a soothing rhythm that may help your tot relax and fall asleep.
Self-stimulation. Head-banging and other repeated body motions may stimulate the vestibular system, which controls balance in the inner ear.
Tension or frustration. Some experts feel head-banging is a response to anxiety and this constant movement is a way for toddlers to deal with any tension or frustration they feel.
Pain. Gum and jaw discomfort due to teething or an ear infection may result in banging.
Attention. Words may fail your toddler when he wants to tell you something, which is why some may turn to head-banging to get the attention of a parent or babysitter.
How to respond to toddler head-banging
As with most toddler behaviors you’d like to curb (nose-picking, anyone?), it’s best to display little reaction. Here are some tips for handling head-banging if you notice it in your child:
Be passive. Because head-banging often happens when your child is about to fall asleep,[2] your toddler may not remember it. Your best bet: Try not to bring it up or scold him.
Try not to worry. Head-banging is kind of scary, but know that your toddler’s skull is thick and strong, which means he likely can’t rock or whack hard enough to hurt himself badly.
Have patience. Keep in mind that this phase often fades away on its own, which means you don’t have to do much right now. In fact, trying to intervene when the head-banging is happening may affect your tot’s sleep and cause it to start back up again.
Add some rhythm. Satisfy your toddler’s desire for repeated rhythms with some extra running time, clapping games, singing and rocking in a chair or on a seesaw at the playground.
Check tuck-in time. Is bedtime too early? Or too rushed? Reassess the schedule so that tuck-in occurs at that sweet spot — when your toddler is sleepy, but not overtired either.
Make it safe. Move the bed or crib away from the wall, detach the wheels from the crib, if necessary, and place his sleep spot on a rug so it’ll stay in place if he bangs around.
Nix the padding. You might think that adding soft bedding or pillows will help to ease head-banging, but this practice isn’t usually effective, say the experts.
Block the sound. If the racket from your toddler’s banging is bothering others in the house, consider a white noise machine to drown out the din (it may even soothe your tot).
When should you talk to your pediatrician about toddler head-banging?
While head-banging is rarely a medical problem, you can always speak with your doctor if you’re concerned. To help, here are some signs to watch for and bring up with the pediatrician:
Injuries to the head. Check for bruises or other marks as a result of head-banging.
Disrupted sleep. Mention any irritability, inattention or other signs of too little sleep as well as cases when the noise interrupts sleep for others at home.
Daytime head-banging. Since this motion often occurs around sleep, a lot of head-banging during the day may be a concern.
Head-banging plus other delays. Frequent head-banging that’s accompanied by other developmental delays or problematic social behaviors should be discussed.
Children are more likely to bang their heads when they have cerebral palsy, autism or Down syndrome. If your child’s doctor is concerned, they may have you keep a sleep diary to track your tot’s head-hitting frequency, possibly to help diagnose a condition called Sleep Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder, or another sleep condition.
Try not to worry too much when you notice your toddler banging his head repeatedly. These rhythmic bumps may be all he needs to settle down and drift off to sleep after a busy day of exploring. In the meantime, keep your tot busy with games and fun during the day to ease his need to self-soothe that way.
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