My 1 year old started this thing, where she takes an object (a toy, TV remote, phone, whatever) in her hand and she hits in on her head, then says "owww", like it hurts, then does it again and again. And she hits herself pretty hard. She'll also hit her head against furniture (the couch, wooden rocking chair). Then last night, scared the crap out of me. She was sitting on the hard wood floor, and bent down towards the floor and hit her head on the floor, said owww, and did it again, and then again, VERY HARD. And cried her eyes out forever.
The first time she hits herself, we tell her, "no no baby, that's ouchie, dont hit yourself, it's bad". Or something along the lines of that,she'll smile & do it again until she is in tears.
I have no clue why she's doing it or where she got it from. This is a non-violent household. My fiance & I do not hit hit each other or play around in that sort of manner. She's not around other children so I dont get why she's doing this or where she got it
2007-11-28 08:59:36 · 12 answers · asked by Sweets03 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
DONT ANSWER IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO READ THE WHOLE QUESTION.
AND DONT ANSWER IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO BE SMART AND SUGGEST THAT I LET HER KEEP HITTING HERSELF.
2007-11-28 09:10:30 · update #1
Some of you people are crazy...a sign of brain damage? Maybe you idiots need to have your heads examined instead.
2007-11-28 12:47:31 · update #2
As upsetting as it can be for the caregivers, head-banging is a very common toddler behavior, and I believe it typically begins around your daughter's age or perhaps a few months older. It is more common in boys, but happens with both boys and girls. It has nothing to do with being in a violent household, or among other children. It is most commonly done either in frustration, or to self-soothe. It can also be done to attract attention. Children will not generally bang their heads to the point of actually hurting themselves; if that is happening, you need to speak with your pediatrician.
You should take note of the circumstances and times during which your child is likely to engage in this behaviour. Also, I would note who is present (in case it's attention getting). If she's not actually hurting herself -- and while it is upsetting to witness, and a bonk on the head can make quite the noise, it does NOT necessarily mean she is hurting herself -- the usual advice is to not give it attention, because that in itself rewards the behavior. (By the way, not hurting oneself doesn't mean she'll never hurt herself to the point of feeling it, but it does mean that, well, basically, she knows when to stop. She might bonk herself and really really mean it when she says "owww" but, case in point, when she hit herself hard enough to cry she stopped.)
My son did a little bit of headbanging and it made me NUTS. Fortunately he didn't keep it up for very long at all. By observing him it seemed to me that he did it when he was very frustrated, and/or when he was very tired. He certainly liked to do it in his crib. I read a bunch about it at the time, and I know there is a LOT of info on this, for the precise reason that it IS so common. I think if you check out some of the really basic sites such as babycenter.com, and do a quick google search, you'll immediately see enough info to calm your fears, and also to let you know the kinds of things to watch out for, and when you should call your doctor. That said, you should of course bring it up at your baby's next well-baby visit, regardless.
Would love to post links but they're not handy. Hopefully this will be extremely shortlived, as it was in this household. In the meantime, know that you are not alone, and that a LOT of toddlers do this very thing.
2007-11-28 09:15:29 · answer #1 · answered by ljb 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
HELP! My toddler hits herself in the head, repeatedly.?
My 1 year old started this thing, where she takes an object (a toy, TV remote, phone, whatever) in her hand and she hits in on her head, then says "owww", like it hurts, then does it again and again. And she hits herself pretty hard. She'll also hit her head against furniture (the...
2015-08-19 06:41:56 · answer #2 · answered by Meri 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is such a good question. I guess any one of us could ask why we do things that are hurtful or harmful to ourselves. But, why does a 1yr old, I don't know maybe they just think it's fun and if mom and dad show a big reaction maybe it's just fun to do again.
When my daughter was little she did many things that made me wonder, but when it came to hurting herselff I would try to stop her by distracting her which worked some of the time, bur the one thing that I found to be the most effective was one time when she was hitting herself in the the head I told her "Hey, don't hurt my little girl! I don't like that!" I think she realized that she was doing something that I didn't like, something that was hurtful to me, and since children like to please their parents she stopped. It took a few times, but every time I seen her hitting herself I would say this and eventually she did stop. Be consistent, it will stop.
2007-11-28 09:54:35 · answer #3 · answered by Debra d 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why do you want to stop her? This will self-correct. One day, it will hurt so bad that she'll stop all by herself.
Did you ever think she's conditioning you? Training you to give her attention whenever she hits herself. She can control a big, smart, adult mom with a single bonk on the noggin.
2007-11-28 09:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Level 7 is Best 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to talk to the pediatrician or, better yet, the pediatric psychologist. My guess is that something is upsetting her and she's taking it out on herself, OR, she doesn't feel like she gets enough attention, so she's doing something she knows you don't like.
Call the dr.
TX MOM
2007-11-28 10:05:39 · answer #5 · answered by TX Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scoop her up and cuddle her first time she does it - break the cycle without letting her know you are doing so. DONT show obvious concern, just divert her attention from it. She could be doing it to gain attention.
2007-11-28 09:07:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
well i guess you would have to restrict what is in her vicinity if you are afraid that she will hurt herself. she is very young now and just may be repeating what she has seen.
just monitor it for now but if it worsens you might want to get her checked for autism(like 3).
2007-11-28 13:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
SHE WANTS ATTENTION GIVE A LOOOOOOOOOT LOOVE AND ATENTENTION IF SHE WANTS TO sleep with u let her sleep with u give bonding time at dinner and ask questions like how was ur day sweetie and complement her like oh ur so cute in that dress constantly if thAT DOENST WORK TAKE HER TO THE DOCTERS hope ur dughters okay!!!!!!
2007-11-28 09:11:16 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
distract her and stop her cycle give her attention and tell her no and make sure hs eunderstands what no is maybe she think its funy idk but if it get really serious contact ur pediatrician sorry dont know how to spell that word
2007-11-28 12:56:39 · answer #9 · answered by Just flowing by.... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my 2yo son does this. Its a sense and boundaries thing. If you are really concerned, ask your pediatrician.
2007-11-28 09:08:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋