In General:
Head banging and rocking are quite common among normal
children and are also seen in those with developmental problems.
In normal children, repetitive head banging and rocking, while
alarming to parents, are harmless and gradually stop over a
period of months. If they continue longer, the child should be
evaluated by your pediatrician. Some experts theorize that the
actions begin as normal behavior and are part of the child's
efforts to master movement as she gradually gains control of her
body. Thus, a child who starts head rocking as early as 4 or 5
months may be rocking her whole body at 6 to 10 months as she
develops more skills.
Nobody knows why children bang their heads and rock, but it's
interesting that these rhythmic habits-body rocking, head
banging, and head rolling-all stimulate the vestibular system of
the inner ear, which controls balance. They are not usually
associated with developmental delay, although children who have
certain types of disabilities often repeat movements, as do
autistic children and others with oversensitive nervous systems.
Children usually outgrow rocking, rolling, and head banging
between 18 months and 2 years of age, but repetitive actions are
sometimes still seen in older children and adolescents.
Consult your pediatrician if your child is frequently
nodding or shaking her head and:
- Doesn't interact with her parents.
- Has developmental delays.
Questions to consider
Does your baby of about 6 months rock vigorously in his
crib for up to 15 minutes at a time, or even longer? Does this
activity often occur when he's left alone to fall asleep or
listen to music? Is there any particular event or stimulus that
either triggers or stops the behavior?
| If answer is |
Yes |
| Possible cause is |
Body rocking as part of a baby's normal development. |
| Action to take |
Body rocking is harmless and seems to comfort the
child. It will gradually stop as your child becomes more
mobile, and is usually gone by the age of 2 or 3,
although some form of body movement may last through
adolescence. |
Does your child bang his head hard and often-as many as 60
to 80 times a minute-against solid objects such as his crib?
Does the head banging follow a head-rolling or body-rocking
phase? Does your child also suck his thumb or rub a blanket as
he bangs his head?
| If answer is |
Yes |
| Possible cause is |
Head banging. |
| Action to take |
This inexplicable behavior seems to comfort the child
but distresses the parents, who fear that their baby
will hurt himself. In fact, it doesn't seem to worry
babies (more often boys) who often look relaxed and
happy while they bang their heads. It usually starts at
about 6 months and stops by the time a child is 2 years
old. |
Has your baby rubbed a bald spot with her constant head
rolling or shaking? Is she otherwise active and happy? Do her
eyes move normally?
| If answer is |
Yes |
| Possible cause is |
This harmless habit may also appear in a child who can
sit up. It may start as early as 6 months and usually
disappears before the child reaches 2 years |
| Action to take |
Head rolling or rubbing. |
Does your developmentally disabled child bang her head or
perform other rhythmic actions? Are you concerned that she may
injure herself?
| If answer is |
Yes |
| Possible cause is |
Developmental disorder or autistic behavior. |
| Action to take |
Consult your pediatrician, who may prescribe a
short-term medication to calm the child and recommend a
helmet to protect her head. |
Coping with head banging
Children are rarely, if ever, harmed by this behavior, but if
you are concerned that your child may injure himself, or the
behavior is not diminishing over months, consult your
pediatrician.
Your baby will eventually outgrow head banging and body
rocking. In the meantime, however, the movement and noise that
seem to give him pleasure may cause a great deal of wear and
tear on your family's nerves. You can't restrain the baby or
make him stop the activity, but you can take a few simple steps
to keep the noise at the lowest possible level.
Pull the crib away from the wall and place it on a thick rug.
Fit rubber or plastic carpet protectors on the legs of the crib
to lessen noise and make it harder for your baby to move the
crib as he rocks. Use a padded crib bumper that goes all the way
around the crib. Secure it with at least 6 ties to keep it from
falling away at the sides. Trim the ties to no more than 6
inches long and double-knot them. Some pediatricians suggest
using a metronome or playing music with a strong beat to
regulate the head banging.
Place a mobile over the crib to divert your baby with
different shapes and bright colors. A mobile with a built-in
music box that plays a repetitive tune can be soothing for a
baby trying to fall asleep. Your baby may have fun with a gym
across the top of the crib or an activity center attached to the
side. Watch your baby's reaction to mobiles and gyms, however;
some babies find them frightening and cry until they are
removed. In any case, mobiles, gyms, and crib bumpers must be
removed at 5 months, which is when many babies are making
serious attempts to sit, get up on all fours, or pull themselves
to a standing position. Even very young babies love to get ready
for naps by spending several minutes looking at a picture book,
or hearing their parents singing songs or nursery rhymes. Music
playing softly in the room may put your baby in the mood for
sleep.