When son pouts he throws his head backwards and hits the floor- afraid he will damage his head!?

Question

Lately my 13 mo old so has been throwing temper tantrums and when he is sitting on the floor he will throw his head backward and hit the floor- problem is, we have hardwood floors and even on the rugs it is still hard. He still continues to do this time and again. Is this going to cause damage? I can tell it hurts him! What can I do to prevent this?

Answer 1

Get him a crash helmet.

Really there isnt much you can do. I mean at 13 months old you really cant reason with him and explain to him yet that he shouldnt do that.

I really doubt if he is hurting himself, but still chances are he could end up doing some damage. Best situation is that he teaches himself not to do it. He womps himself a good one and realizes "HEY that was not cool!That hurt!" and stops. Really though-those kind of actions are something you just have to watch out for and if you catch him doing it stop him.

Answer 2

if he is really hurting himself, he'll stop. How do you react when he does it? I would calmly walk away..take away the audience and pay no attention.

Answer 3

There isnt really away. Could he have autism? have him checked out. When he does it grab him and slap him on the butt and put him in his room.

Answer 4

I'd throw a pillow or something soft behind him, then let him have his fit. When he realize he doesn't get what he wants, the temper tantrums will stop. In the meantime, I'd want to keep him from hurting himself without giving in.

Answer 5

My nephew was the exact same way when he was that age. He threw the biggest fits on a daily basis where I thought he was going to knock himself out. But one time he did this on concrete and hit himself so hard he never threw the fits again. It's so sad to say it, but you just have to let him throw his temper tantrums until he hits his head hard enough and won't do it again. (By the way my nephew's now 4 and he's healthy and smart.) Good luck!

Answer 6

He seems young to be throwing temper tantrums.

Children learn quickly. As much as I hate to say it there's really nothing to be done unless you want to let him wear a padded helmet around. Hopefully he will quickly learn that tantrum = pain and stop the head-rearing.

Meantime, its never to late to read some books or attend classes on positive parenting and learn some child-friendly discipline techniques if you feel your son has become 'spoiled.' Much easier to address these issues early one than wait.

Answer 7

One of my twin boys did the same thing. But I spanked him for doing it. He got tired of having a hurt head and a hurt hand. I didn't like to spank him for that, but I was also scared that he would give himself a concussion.

Answer 8

My 10 MO daughter does the exact same thing. If I'm quick enough I'll throw a pillow behind her or I'll catch her. I think it's normal. All babies pull their hair, ears, hit their head, rock, head-bang, or etc. I just try to console her and distract her with something else.

Answer 9

Hi. I would chat with your ped. and let him know what your son is doing.  Maybe he is in pain and not just throwing a tantram. Maybe he can't express himself so he knows how best to get your attention. (This would certainly get mine).  However the fact that you can tell he is in "pain" is time to get the intervention needed from your child's doctor.  Don't let your doctor say its it the terrible twos.  INSIST on an MRI of his brain to let your physician know how concerned you truly are.  Hope all turns out well. Blessings, Patti

Answer 10

It's totally normal! NOT AUTISM!!! My son did the same thing along with Head-butting. I found this article that was very helpful...

It may seem alarming, but head butting  -- like biting or tantrums  -- is usually just another way toddlers show frustration or anger, says Pamela High, M.D., professor of pediatrics at Brown Medical School, in Providence. Other times it's the result of roughhousing gone too far.

Kids tend to stop butting once they start speaking and can get your attention with their words instead of by force. Until then, to curb your headstrong child:

Don't laugh, no matter how funny your kid can look charging headfirst; you'll only encourage him. Instead, let him know that it hurts by saying "No, that is not allowed" very firmly whenever he does it. Then, focus on consoling the buttee so your child realizes his action won't grab your attention.

Distract him. Direct his attention somewhere else.

Help him communicate in other ways. When Miles would head-butt, Jordan made an obvious show of trying to figure out what it was that he wanted. "If he was near the fridge, I'd hold up different foods until he stopped. That helped."

Banish bad influences. TV and siblings' video games can be rife with violence, so make sure the entertainment in your toddler's line of vision is age appropriate. Also, avoid physical punishment, which only teaches him that aggression's an acceptable way to handle a problem.

Good Luck & God Bless! And don't worry He'll grow out of it :)

Answer 11

when he does it hard enough to hurt himself, he will stop