Is it normal for babies to intentionally hit their head?

As odd as it may seem, head banging among babies and toddlers is actually a normal behavior. Some children do this around nap time or bedtime, almost as a self-soothing technique. But despite being a common habit, it’s no less upsetting or frightening for you.

Why is my 10 month old hitting himself in the head?

We are concerned that our 10-month-old baby is hitting himself in the head. It seems he does this when he gets excited. Our son would hit the right side of his head with his right hand and sometimes both sides with both hands. And it seems he is doing this more often now.

Is it normal for babies to hit their heads?

While is most cases, this is just normal baby behavior, it can also be a reason for concern. Hitting the head all through the day for no apparent reason and falling behind developmental milestones would be a reason for concern and should be discussed with at pediatrician, but that does not seem to be the case with your son.

How did the baby hit her head on the floor?

In that split second, the nine-month-old wriggled off her change table and landed, head first, on the floor. “There were no signs of injury, apart from her crying, but since she couldn’t tell me how she felt, I was scared,” says the Moncton, NB, mom.“I rushed her to the doctor.

What causes a toddler to hit their head hard?

Before kids are walking or cruising, a head injury is most likely to be due to a fall from, say, a changing table. A toddler or older child with a head injury probably took a tumble, ran into something, or was hit by a heavy object, she explains.

What happens when a baby hits her head?

What are the symptoms of a concussion in a baby? Any loss of consciousness or deformity of the skull after a baby hits her head requires immediate medical attention, says Ash Singhal, a paediatric neurosurgeon at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. “But if a baby is awake, alert and behaving normally, it’s not concerning.”

When to be concerned about a baby’s head bump?

In most cases, “watch and wait” (with lots of extra TLC) is the most appropriate course of action after a baby’s minor head bump. Keep the symptoms of a more serious head injury in mind, watching for any changes in behavior or neurological deficits within 48 hours of the accident.

What to look for in a baby with a head injury?

Most short fall-related injuries among babies fall under the “mild” category. Mild head injuries are considered closed, meaning they don’t involve any skull fractures or underlying brain injury. In these cases, swelling and a large “bump” or bruise on the skin may appear without any further symptoms.

How old was Sophie when she hit her head?

Jennifer Kwong* was changing Sophie’s* diaper when she looked away to grab a sleeper. In that split second, the nine-month-old wriggled off her change table and landed, head first, on the floor.