Does anyone else’s toddler bang their head on the floor when they’re mad or upset? My 18 month old BANGS his head. He gets bruises on his forehead and his eyes from doing it. It clearly doesn’t hurt him bc he does it a million times a day. I’m at a loss on what to do and it upsets me when he does it bc he does it so hard and it looks and sounds painful. But he will not stop doing it. I’m sure it just a stage but idk. Idk what to do anymore there’s nothing I can do to make him stop doing it.
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I’m not saying its that but that can be a sign of Autism, headbutting/banging.
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I use to always do that as a very young child. And hold my breath. I still, at 36 years old, occasionally do that when I’m over stimulated or my emotions become too much.
My son did this. Thank goodness he grew out of it. He also used to bang his head on his crib mattress and make a noise when falling asleep, kind of like he was rocking and singing to himself. Maybe have something soft handy to put down between his head and the floor.
Also go over certain emotions so he can verbalize how he is feeling, and ask what might help him calm down so you can solve the problem together. Punching a pillow? Jumping on a mini trampoline? Roaring lime a lion?
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My son did this starting at 6 months. Frustrated, overly happy, ect. He would varying bruises and I would go to the doctor and have them document it all. He had sensory processing disorder (SPD). Over stimulation, bright lights, loud noises, different fabrics or temps it will bring it out more. The doctors (PT) said making a big deal will make it worse. To just slide a pillow under his head and walk away. It took almost 9-10 months and keeping track of his triggers to come up with a plan. Like dimmer lights, quieter tv, tagless clothes, silk/satin clothes not cotton or polyester or jeans. And he is now 11 and we haven’t had a problem since he was 5 with the head banging, but he does stomp for sensory once in awhile. Which is still hard on his body (and the house) but better then giving himself concussions (he gave himself 3 very serious ones to where he will need an MRI if he takes a hit like that again).
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What does the pediatrician say?
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Yep…hes given himself a couple of bloody noses too. Hes 2 now and the tantrums have calmed since we started working on communication and coping skills for his big feelings. Im just waiting for the sleep regression to end 
My son used to give himself bruises too. I would literally throw myself across the room to put my hand under his head. Scared the ever livin crap outa me. He’s since grown out of it thank God.
Not being able to communicate at such a young age can be very frustrating.
I used to do it when I was a kid my mom kept putting a pillow underneath to deter me it worked eventually she never used to talk to me during my melt down just kept putting a pillow where I tried to bang my head
My 4 year old is the same started to bang her head she doesn’t anymore thanks to my mom telling me the story of me doing it and what she used to do she said talking while they are angry doesn’t solve anything as clearly not listening
My son did it ALL the time. He is now 6 and when he is mad he will punch himself in the head
My eldest did this he is 15 now autistic and adhd
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My son did this when he had fluid build up behind his ears. I thought he was just super moody and angry 
My nephews son did that and it actually caused brain damage . Very scary when I see kids doing that.
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My oldest used to do that until he did it on a grocery cart handle. He didn’t do it again after that.
This is a red flag for autism!!!
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No no sweetie, this can be “normal “ to some - but to cause personal injury can be the beginning of a much bigger problem - just get your baby checked - by a professional and share with them -
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I hope you’ve told your pediatrician. If he gives himself a brain bleed, you’ll go to jail.
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My 3 year old has done this since she was like 1 I’ve been to a handful of drs she’s even done it in front of them & they still don’t care.
Good luck tho! My only suggestion is to catch them in the act put a pillow under the head or if you have strong toes use your feet!
Take him to a doctor, something might be wrong
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My daughter started this at about 18months old and still hasn’t stoped at almost 4 years old.
She’s autistic (diagnosed at 3 years old) and has a rare chromosomal abnormality.
For some children this is a normal behavior, however if it continues or you notice anything else, don’t be afraid to reach out to the PCP.
Yup. Here’s his latest bruise. All my kids have done this at one point or another. They grew out of it. None are autistic.
I was a head banger and I’m fine lol my mom said I’d bang it in the grocery store floor 
That is a symptom of autism, stemming. Get your child tested.
Only my autistic child did this.
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You should absolutely consider talking to your pediatrician about this and insisting that some tests are done or a referral to someone who can help. Maybe even get some ABA therapy. This can cause long term brain damage or hinder brain development. I hope your baby gets the help he needs and I hope you do as well. It can be very frustrating for a little one to deal with neuro-divergence or anything that could cause this. I have two autistic and ADHD kiddos and their sense of danger or pain used to be inexistent but they’ve grown to understand the world around them and how it’s actually dangerous. I explain literally every danger around them so they fully understand why they can’t do certain things like running out into the road or jumping off their dresser onto the floor or eating things that aren’t edible lmao. It’s rough.
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My son went through that stage and my 18mo is currently trying it out. I don’t stop them, it’s a self correcting act. I treat it like any other tantrum. When they are done I acknowledge that what they did probably hurt then offer comfort. When my 18mo started trying on throw down tantrums she would just throw herself to the floor, this resulted in a few face plants. Now she has learned to catch herself to avoid the pain of a face plant, then proceed with the tantrum. Again, unless there is something that would result in serious injury(like needing an ER visit), I let them work through it and patiently stand by until they are done.
Yes. He has since he was able to do so on his own. He’s 5 now and still does it.
My one year does. I tell him to do it harder
He’s doing it for attention
Start ignoring him and he’ll eventually stop