My baby is waking in the night and head banging the cot we can
no longer let him fall asleep himself as he just stands up and head bangs, is
there anything we can do to discourage this behaviour?


A I can understand your worries about head banging because it is distressing to watch.

Head Banging is a comfort activity for your child and is a common activity for many children who like rhythmic action and is usually a night activity. Comfort activities, like comfort objects (a teddy bear or favourite blanket) or sucking a thumb are normal in most toddlers. It is a way of releasing the tension and stress felt by the child.

The following are suggestions, which may help reduce the stress:

• Decide on other suitable ways that will help to release your toddler’s tension, perhaps
• Rhythmic activities during the day might help such as
• Beating on a toy drum for a short period
• Rocking on a rocking horse,
• Swinging in a door swing,
• A seesaw and swing in the park or in your back garden if you have one.
• Play dance music and dance together.
• If your toddler is walking get him/her to copy you dancing and give lots of praise for dancing.
• Encourage playing a toy musical instruments while the music is playing
• Encourage clapping and stamping of feet to the music
• At bedtime play soft soothing music and do slow rocking movements while you are reading a bed time story
• Have a consistent nighttime routine that is calm and relaxing. (The three B’s – Bath, bed clothes & bed, cuddle, rocking, story time and a good night kiss and try to introduce a cuddly toy for day time sleeps and again at night
• For night waking stay calm, do not remove from cot. Cuddle in the cot, give a kiss, give a cuddly toy and say good night. If music is part of the routine use it again
• Make sure the environment is as safe as possible but toddlers do not generally hurt themselves because they are unable to generate enough force to cause any serious damage
• Most children grow out of rhythmic activities by the age of three years.

If the head banging continues beyond this or you are worried about yours child’s behaviour do not hesitate to consult your Doctor.
Other reasons for head banging can be teething or ear infection.

Health Visitor