Why Babies Bang Their Heads
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We would give anything to get a good night’s sleep without any interruptions or disturbances. But that’s just with us adults. With babies, the case is entirely different. An infant does not fall asleep as quickly as we would like to, and it takes a while to get their sleep cycles in order. Most babies take at least 3 months to sleep without waking up. Although newborn babies need about 8-9 hours of sleep during the day and about 8 hours of sleep at night, they do not sleep more than 1-2 hours at a stretch (1). However, by the age of about 6 months, they get used to sleeping through the night regularly.
As new parents, all this takes time to learn, and you should not feel inadequate that you haven’t figured it all out. Sleep deprivation is a regular part of your life for the first few years when you have a baby. Even if you’re prepared for these experiences, some outright worry you as new parents. Especially when it comes to the safety of your baby, you are incredibly cautious and do everything that is needed to keep your baby safe. But what do you do when your baby starts banging their head? What does it mean? Let’s find out why they do it and what you need to do when they bang on.
What Science Says About Head Banging
You heard that right. Head banging. Not the kind you do at concerts. But what your baby does. Maybe they are trying to channel their inner rock n roll, but research says that it is quite common among toddlers. They bang their head as a way to soothe themselves to sleep. While it might concern parents, research shows that there is nothing to worry about. As parents, you only have to ensure that they are not in harm’s way (2).
Behaviors such as head banging and body rocking are usually seen in children between 6-9 months of age. They eventually subside by the age of 2-3 years. Only 5% of children who are above the age of 5 typically continue these behaviors. As long as it does not disrupt their sleep schedule and causes body injuries, it is considered normal and healthy for children to engage in such actions (3).
When Should You Be Concerned
If your child has any developmental issues or neurological and psychological issues, you should keep a close watch. Children who have autism spectrum disorder, or are visually impaired, have to be monitored closely to keep them safe. They have a higher risk of injuring themselves (though it happens rarely) (4).
What Should You Do As Parents
Most children outgrow this behavior. Therefore, there is no need to worry. Putting extra pillows or cushions in their cribs don’t help either. All you can do is wait it out so they can grow out of it. Giving them attention when they are doing these things will make them do it more to seek attention. Therefore, give your child all the attention during the day and let them be during the night even if they show these behaviors. You can ensure that their crib is secure and well intact, the screws, nuts, and bolts are tightened, and the crib is not placed too close to the wall to avoid noise at night.
When Should You Consult A Doctor
While it is normal for your kids to bang their heads during nights, they outgrow this behavior, and it need not be a matter of concern. But if you wish to consult a doctor to discuss the following issues, you could:
- If your baby potentially injured themselves
- If there is a lot of noise and sleep disruption
- To ensure that there are no underlying sleep problems
- If you are concerned about your child’s development
- If you feel like your child has a risk of seizures
There are some things that you cannot prepare for when it comes to being parents. It is best to learn these things on the go, and there is nothing to beat yourself up about it. You’re new to parenting and will eventually figure things out. We hope we put your mind at ease with your child’s head banging issue. So now, you can rock out and join them too.
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