headbutting

[shaz222]

In the last four weeks, my grandson, who is 19 months old has started throwing tantrums when he is put to bed whether he is asleep or awake.  If asleep, he will only sleep for 1-2 hours when on waking he gets into such a trantrum he head butts his cot bed and it is getting so bad he is bruising his forehead badly so must be hurting himself.  We have tried controlled crying, story time, nursery rhymes and everything that the nurse has suggested.  I am getting really worried as is his parents that he is damaging himself long term.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks
Sha x

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Mother Nature is wise in this regard - infant's heads are amazingly protected because of the reality that they take their lumps as they move through childhood. Check with his pediatrician, but I'm very sure you'll get the same feedback.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

The behavior is generally a means of discharging tension. There is no sense in trying to stop it. The behavior will wane by itself.

[shaz222]

Do you have any idea why he has started to do this and how do we stop it?

Many thanks
Sha x