Head banging on her cot rail when she wakes.?

Question

My one year old daughter wakes at around 6am and bangs her head against the bars in her cot. She also does it in her sleep. She is starting to develop a lump on the top on her head. Any suggestions on how to stop her doing this?

Answer 1

It could be just a soothing thing. I'd pad her bed and watch for other symptoms.

Answer 2

My son does the same thing and he is 2. It drives me insane! He would hit his head on the wall, as he's in a bed so I moved the bed away from the wall. With the cot though your best bet is probably to pad it so she doesnt do as much damage. They do it to 'self soothe', just like some babies suck their thumb or cuddle a teddy. Hopefully she'll grow out of it!

Answer 3

She  may be doing it to get your attention, like crying it may get the response she wants ie.. to get up. Try leaving a noisy toy in the bed or only leaving it there after she has gone to sleep. When she wakes up dont go to her until you hear the toy, then she may associate the noisy toy with the response she wants. Does that make sense?

Answer 4

Pad the railings and see her doctor.