How many bruises must I allow when my toddler keeps banging his head before I do something to stop it?

We went on a week's vacation to the beach and while there, he took in some salt water and threw up (he got scared of it after that episode as well) but he seemed normal until he started banging his head and screaming. Now he does it all the time and it's causing a bad bruise to appear. Aftrer 4 days of this, I'm beside myself and we bought a bike helmet to put on him when he starts it since I can't handle him alone during the day when he gets mean like this. Autism is out...he's got no signs otherwise so help me please!!

I'd talk to the doctor. Actually, I would have waay before I bought a helmet.

You've got to be kidding. You let your kid bang his head for 4 days and is screaming. Take him to the ER right away!

Agreed hun, you need to go see a doctor.

Have you gotten your son tested for autism? Autism is a spectrum disorder with varied pathologies. What you read and see may not seem like your son but that does not mean that he doesn't have autism. I would start there if you don't get any answers keep on the Doctors until you get an answer. If the head banging is causing a bruise please please take him to a Dr. that could cause permanent brain damage.

Best of luck.

Sometimes children find out that by doing shocking things such as injuring themselves they recieve attention. I would talk to your pediatrician and if nothing is physically wrong, leave the bike helmet on him, and let him bang away. Don't let him upset you, kids will do anything for attention be it positive or negative. Both my little sister and brother did this antic repeatedly until they got their way. Children are tricky, don't let him get to you. Just remember that bike helmet keeps him safe and ignore him unless he has an actual physical need that should be fulfilled when he acts this way. I worked at a daycare for four years and some of my toddlers had tempers like yours. These "head bangers" were either frustrated by communication problems (using words to say that they need something) or wanting attention. Figure out if it is a communication or a loneliness problem. Encourage your toddler to use his words. But if he's like my sister and brother and it is an attention thing, let him bang away. It might take several nerve wracking days, but he will tire eventually. Good Luck, I hope this helps resolve the problem...

Some children are especially stubborn when it comes to things like this...don't worry-you'll survive! As long as your son doesn't have any type of medical issue [which you should discuss with your doc if you're unsure] they SAY to let them do it until they decide to stop on their own.

My son banged his head because he realized that mommy ignored him when he threw a fit but would come running if he was hurt. We would just put him in his playpen so that he couldn't reach his head to anything really hard (since the playpen had foam wrap on the supports and mesh for sides). He didn't stop until one day he went to start banging his head on the wall, missed, and hit the corner. He gave himself a concussion! After that he stopped banging his head...you just have to wait them out and eventually they'll get tired of hurting themselves.

But if it makes you feel any better (it did when I was going through it) headbanging isn't the worst thing I've ever heard! My step mom used to HOLD HER BREATH UNTIL SHE PASSED OUT when she was a kid. She would literally turn purple and then pass out! When I heard that from my grandma I was pretty sure that headbanging wasn't so bad! LoL

Hang in there!

Agree with the other posters - it could be something he needs to see a doc for, could be something you need to wait out - though with bruises, I'm not sure I'd be able to do that. I'd also caution even though you say no on autism, that it can show itself after a traumatic event. If he shows any signs at all of being comforted, not hurt, or comforted before doing it so much he's hurt, I'd have him tested anyway. The comfort part would be the key, and there are autism spectrums from VERY mild to "wild." Probably too young for a diagnosis, but really wouldn't hurt to have the reassurance. Your Mommy gut will know better than mine with your son though. (:

For me, this going on for four days and with bruises would have really passed my threshold of tolerance to the point where I'd call the doc. Beyond that, I guess you could try to figure out why he's doing it (angry, frustrated, can't do something he wants to physically or because it's against the rules, bored, comfort, etc.), then put him in an area where he can bang away without injury and you can supervise him but not have to give him attention while doing so. Or do something to distract him out of it, like tickle him a little, play peek-a-boo, get him doing something with his hands, play music and dance, etc.

To a small extent, my 16 month son does this too. His idea of throwing a fit when we say no or he can't physically do something yet is to plop down on his butt, lie back flat, and conk the back of his head once on the floor. He's never gotten any attention for this other than a quiet "Ow, that must hurt" then silence and finally a hug when he gets up calmly. His fits usually last less than 30 seconds with no injuries so far. It's also "everyday" behavior - once or twice every few days, and not something that's suddenly developed.

Good luck! (:

Get him some medical attention immediately