Why Toddlers Hit Themselves In The Head And How To Stop It
Image: iStock
Parents go to great lengths to ensure the well-being of their infants. They meticulously monitor their sleep, scrutinize food ingredients before feeding them, and even research the suitability of their child’s toys – they cover every possible aspect. They make every effort to address their various concerns about their children, especially when it comes to their physical health. Consequently, it’s understandable why witnessing their children intentionally hitting their heads and causing harm can be both exasperating and distressing for caregivers. This is compounded by the fact that they often lack knowledge on how to prevent this behavior or assist their little one. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, we’re here to provide guidance. Here are some reasons why your baby might engage in head-hitting behavior and what steps you can take to address it.
1. It May Be A Call For Attention
As they grow up, your tiny tot will do anything for your attention, even hit themselves! Toddlers sometimes purposely hit their heads to get your attention. How wild is that? As they receive a lot of attention while banging their head from a parent, this action becomes repetitive whenever they want you to stay by their side or fuss over them.
When a child exhibits behavior such as this, parents often rush to the child’s aid without a second’s notice. However, if you’d like your child to stop, it’s best not to pay attention to them while they do this action. Now this may be hard, but it’s for the best. Focus instead, on creating a safe place where your child cannot get injured easily. For example, you can remove any object in their surroundings that they may use to bump their head into. Once your toddler realizes that their new trick isn’t working anymore, they’ll stop.
2. It May Be A Way To Self-Soothe
To attain a sense of calm and relaxation, toddlers often engage in rhythmic movements, a behavior babies also exhibit when they’re upset. This is why they enjoy being rocked or gently patted on the back. So, if your toddler starts gently hitting their head just before bedtime, it might be a form of self-stimulation and self-soothing.
The most effective solution for your little one is to establish a self-soothing bedtime routine that enables them to fall asleep and return to slumber independently when they wake up at night, without resorting to self-hitting. This routine can involve a set of activities you and your toddler engage in each day before bedtime. Additionally, you can explore techniques like placing them in their bed while they are drowsy but still awake.
3. It’s A Potential Developmental Problem
If your child constantly hits themselves in the head, it could potentially be a sign of an underlying developmental issue or a behavioral concern. This self-injurious behavior may indicate frustration, discomfort, or sensory sensitivities that your child is struggling to express in a more typical way. It’s essential to pay close attention to this behavior and consult with a healthcare professional or a child psychologist to evaluate the underlying causes and explore potential interventions or strategies to address the issue. Early intervention and support can be crucial in ensuring your child’s well-being and helping them overcome any challenges they may be facing in their development.
4. It’s A Way Of Expressing Emotions
Have you ever seen an adult hit their head when they are sad or frustrated? This is a pretty common sight to see. So, your kids hitting their head could be for the same reason. Toddlers have not yet fully developed the skills necessary to communicate in sophisticated ways. So hitting themselves in the head may be a way for them to show you that they are upset, sad, angry or just restless.
It’s important to encourage your toddler to express the emotions they are feeling but in healthier, less harmful ways. Incorporate play into their day as a way to teach them self-regulation.
There is absolutely no need to worry and freak out if you see your baby hitting themselves on the head on a random Tuesday afternoon. These things tend to happen and are easily solved. With a little patience and a few tricks up your sleeve, your toddler will be right as rain in no time! So, has your little one hit themselves on the head? Did you ever find out why? Let us know in the comments section!
