head banging

[keith david]

my 20month old  is having mad tempers lashing out and banging head on floor/cot with full force i am worried it will hurt him is this normal apart from these outbursts he is anormal happy litlle boy

[loopey]

it's not unusual, he's only doing it for attention, completely ignore him and act like it's not bothering you (I know easier said than done) but once he realises the only thing he gets out of it is a sore head and no attention he'll soon stop.

[Chessman]

This doesn't sound nomal to me, not for a 20 month old child, I understand your concern, a couple of questions, if you'll answer them please,

1) What is his behaviour like when you pick him up? (2)Does he possibly have a fascination with lights?, (3) Does he cry tears and sob when upset?.

Of course, Loopey may be right, and I don't want to worry you, but your that already.

                                                                                       

[curiosity]

I believe that this happens when they are overwhelmed by emotions and don't know what to do about it, either anger or frustration, he doesn't like feeling this. I think, even though he may resist at first, to help him feel that these emotions are contained, it's useful to hold him closely and securely, in hug form usually until the emotions are released through sobbing. Hope this helps.

[Chessman]

I don't know what those things are under my post, but I never put them there. someones playing around, and evven if you don't like or agree with what i've put, its not nice.

[Gathorne]

I would agree 100% with loopey. Toddlers do the most strange things during tantrums which are out of frustration and wanting attention. It is all only a phase, and it's up to you how long the phase lasts by how you deal with it - i.e. whether it's the good behaviour or the bad that gets your attention.

I can highly recommend "Toddler Taming" by Dr Green.

[trionam]

My eighteen month old daughter does this when she is frustrated or if I try to stop her from doing something. I have put it down to just pure frustation at not being able to a certain thing and a way of getting attention. I am glad I came across this question because I was going to post the same myself a while ago,Her behaviour is otherwise normal and I've noticed shes not doing it as much since I ve started ignoring this but its hard to ignore because your worried they are hurt. I am hoping she will grow out of it all together soon.good luck

[Cathy]

My little boy is 22 months and seems (fingers crossed) to be coming out of this. It's just pure frustration as it must be awful not being able to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing and not being able to fully communicate. I find that if I can stay calm and just stroke his face and calm him down before the tantrum gets too bad it avoids any hitting (well, most of the time). If you are still worried go and see your health visitor, they're usually very helpful.