10 Month Old Head Banging

My 21 month old son had gone through a head banging phase, too. You could always get another doctor's opinion, but I agree with the other posts, he will probably out grow it. Good luck!
H.

My son started doing this when he was a baby and is 13 now and still does it when he is going to or is sleeping. I think it a comfort thing and nothing to worry about. Although you can always just mention it to the Dr.

I hope my son grows out of this before he gets married or I feel sorry for his wife.

When I around that age, some forty odd years ago, my mom said I did the same thing. She took me to the ER, turns out, I was teething and the dr. said this was my way of dealing with it. It could be many things, so go to your ped. and make sure they give you an answer.

Head banging is very common. My son started around that age also. He did it hard - enough to cry sometimes. He is 3 now and stopped. It is probably just a phase.

When you get a free moment, sit still but shake your head vigorously back and forth. Notice the sensation you get. If I did this, it would make me feel dizzy and nauseous. When you baby does that or tosses his head about, he might be experiencing a brand new sensation that feels 'neat' and 'different'. Likely could be a phase and that he's just trying something new.

Hi K.!! My oldest daughter use to do the same thing, my doctor told me that she was probably getting molars and it was her way of relieving the pressure. I cured it by giving her rags that i froze while wet, and she would chew and pull on those instead of banging her head (just like a puppy!) after about a month sure enough she popped some molars in her mouth. I hope this helps, give it try!!

K.,

My son started headbanging around 9 months. I'm an elementary teacher, so luckily my education background proved to be helpful. I began learning basic signs of different things he might be wanting.

The problem was that he KNEW what he wanted, he just couldn't communicate it to me with words. So, once I taught him the sign language for "more, eat, juice/bottle/drink/milk (whichever he knows), home, bath, mommy, and daddy". There were more eventually, but we started with this and he instantly stopped headbanging once he realized he could communicate his wants/needs. Good luck!

Its a rythym thing. around this age babies discover they have natural rythym. some bang toys together and others bang their heads. I notice my 10 mnth old does it more when the radio is on

It could be a few things, and go with your motherly instinct! My daughter did this, we took her in, no ear infections, nothing wrong with her head, however, I discovered it was a food allergy, b/c she was getting headaches from eating certain foods. Yes, infants get headaches too, and that is their way of saying, I've never felt this and don't know what to do about it. You can also consider getting some food and environmental allergy test. Also, notice what you feed to him, if he reacts to when you give him certain foods. www.drrapp.com discusses head banging in her book, she is a pediatric allergist. Definitely not something to rule out as silly as it may seem. But it shouldn't be disregarded as a phase.

Best Wishes,
J. W. MPH
Wellness Educator/Lifestyle and Wellness Consultant

Yes, my son did this too. Sometimes, at 2, he still does on the back of the couch or high chair (when he's in it), I think just because it feels neat, and when he's tired.

I think the cut lip probably comes from not yet learning how hard is too hard, not that he has a death wish! :) They're still figuring out their world and their place in it -- in this case, physically.

I think some babies do this- but if he has been doing it awhile why not ask for an OT or PT eval to see if he has some sensory integration issues... just a thought.

There is ABSOLUTELY nothing to fear! My sister is 13 years younger than I am and I remember her doing the same thing until she was at least 5 years old. She would rock so hard that the front legs of the couch would come up off the floor. It was HILARIOUS! She had a severe, intense look on her face when she did it too. I think it was just her way of calming down. My oldest son did it briefly too right before he fell asleep. My mother told me that my aunt used to do it as well.
My sister is a straight A college student 3 years in a row and on the dean's list at Purdue. She didn't suffer brain damage from this. It may look weird, but it's harmless!

I would definitely seek a second opinion. Anytime YOU think anything is abnormal, mom usually knows best. After having three children and a couple of really bad pediatricians, it's always best to get another opinion where your child is concerned. Not sure what route you should take, whether you should see another ped. first or maybe go see neurologist (since it's his head). It may turn out to be just a "phase" but I wouldn't wait to find out. Good luck and keep everyone posted.

I grew up with a guy that banged his head so hard that he banged the front seat of the car they drove loose. Turns out his ears were so plugged up that he couldn't hear correctly and it caused a speach issue. They cleared his ears with surgery and had tubes put in. He stopped banging his head and his speach improved 100%.

I'de have the ped. check him out because of "shaken baby syndrome". He could potentially harm himself without your knowing until it's too late. Normally I'm more positive but I never take a chance with a child.

Hey my brother Kyle used to do the same thing. He is now a professional drummer. Your son may be a musical genious. It's true. Oh and I don't think it's a sign of autism because my son Elijah is autistic and he never did that. But if you want to look further do so just for your sanity. There are all types of sensory issues out there and I think that's what your thinking of looking further into. Your son is probably fine. God Bless! C.

Hi! There were some really good suggestions on the other responses. One more for you to look into is Sensory Integration Disorder. My son has this and while he doesn't head bang, that is a sign. It is something that is worth looking up. It's also called Sensory Processing Disorder. Good luck. Remember you are your child's advocate, if you're not comfortable with your doctors response, keep pushing or find another one. They don't know it all and a second opinion won't hurt.

K.,

My son did this from the moment he was born. I was very worried about it, I asked four different doctors and all said it was ok, he will grow out of it. My son is now 8 Years old and he has not grown out of it. He still does this when he is tired, and trying to go to bed. Still they tell me everying is fine. It's almost like a security blanket thing, he can't go to bed without doing it.

My now 26 month old went would hit her head against things - but typically when she was upset about something or didn't get her way. I was told it was normal and a phase, but that I should move her to somewhere soft and safe while she did it. I would pick her up and move her to the carpet or the sofa to do it, but as a mom, it still worried me. Without a month or so, she outgrew it. We have been practicing sign language with her since 6 months old and still continuing to teach her the second language using "Signing Time" dvd series and lots of practice using the signs we've learned and our words. I truly believe that it has helped us communicate with our daughter and eleviate a lot of the frustrating times because she could tell us what was going on even before she could talk or know the word for it. If hearing that it's a phase doesn't calm your nerves, seek other opinions.

Best regards,

T.

My perfectly normal 4 year old went through that phase, too. The little boy I watch also went through it. They outgrew it. Just keep an eye on it. If you are still concerned by the time his 1 year check comes around, talk to his pediatrician. Good luck.

Your child may be allergic to milk or food colorings especially red, orange and yellow.
Maybe switching to soy milk could help. Ask your doctor about food allergies.

Hi, K.!
Nanette G Date: Sun. Nov. 23, 2008 said the head banging could be SPD. Since your baby is only 10 months old you can request an evaluation from Early Intervention and an Occupational Therapist would actually diagnose that and not your doctor. Crazy, I know. I am not sure if this has stopped or not, but if not it too is an option. The evaluation is free in Illinois and goes on income if he qualifies. I am sure it would be the same if not similar in other states also. My son receives therapy for free ans he is 18 months old. At his evaluation we had a speech, occupational, and developmental therapist. You could also request a physical therapit too if he is not walking or meeting other milestones in that aspect.
I hope this helps if you still need it.
A.

My son does that and my doctor said it was typical toddler behavior...but I would have him checked out with an ENT to make sure there are not other issues. We just discovered that my son needs his adnoids taken out- I am wondering if the head banging will stop after that is done.