Abnormal sleep behavior...

My son was 8 weeks premature and is a fraternal twin.  Ever since he was about 9 months old he has used an odd method to help him get to sleep by rythmically bouncing his head on his pillow or matress to get to sleep. I've asked his pediatrician about this and she says it's normal and he will grow out of it.  He is now 7 years old and he still uses this method to get to sleep. He also does it periodically in the middle of the night, but once I come in and soothe him he goes back to sleep(It's not a violent bouncing, but more constant like the second hand ticking on a clock). I've asked him why he does this because, he's fully aware of what he's doing, he replies that it helps him go to sleep. I ask if he's in pain or feels any sensations in his body that makes him do this and he say no. He replies "I've done it since I was a baby and it helps me go to sleep, when I do it it makes my head tired so I can go to bed." So I don't know if this is a sleep disorder but it hasn't gone away and I'm concerned about it but doctors say it's nothing he'll grow out of it and I don't buy that. Please offer some advice. Thank you and God Bless.  

[margypops]

I agree with your Doctor if he was hurting his head it would be good to stop it but if it into a soft pillow, dont worry,Does it make a noise that wakes you up? I am wondering why you go in if he is going back to sleep, that would disturb him, anyway.It doesnt sound like a sleep disorder.

[cherri82]

I am 26 and I also bounce my head to sleep. Im not proud of this, not to sure if it will help you but I was told ill grow out of it but never did I can stop myself from doing it but it takes me forever to fall asleep. I also rock when i watch tv or even if i get flusterd for any reason it helps me relax.

[swatts6]

Hi I am 33 years old, and have done this ever since I can remember. I too was told I would grow out of it. I never really did.  I learned to sleep on my side which seems to calm the urge to bounce.  Once I roll over to my stomach it starts up.

As Jacquelyn55,  I too rock while watching tv. I have always wondered if this was a part of the head bouncing issue I had as a child.  

The good news is I doubt that it hurts your son, but understand why you would question it. I recall being question about why I do it, I do remember saying it makes my head tired as well.  Very interesting that was the same response.

Good luck,

[maky158]

My son who is 5 now, started bouncing his head against the crib since he was probably 6 months old. He would get on his hands and knee and rythmetically rock his head against the crib to go to sleep. He would do this until he was 5. He's 5 now and he has only done it a few times when he was upset against the wall. I asked his pediatrician and too and she said it was normal and he would grow out of it. He did grow out of it. Your son may or may not grow out of it. I wouldn't worry. he knows his pain threshold and is only soothing himself. Let him. the more you make a big deal out of it, the more they do it. i just stopped saying anything about him banging his head and he did it less and less.