Health Library

When my 20-month-old is sick or upset, he often finds something to bang his head against. This may even be a wall or hardwood floor if I don’t catch him in time. Is this a normal behavior?
– Sebastian

Head banging can be upsetting for parents to see. But in most cases, occasional head banging is a form of self-stimulation, self-comfort, or a way to release frustration. It’s not a sign of another problem.

You can help by dealing with whatever is causing his emotional upset and protecting your son from injury as much as possible. Try not to make a big deal about the head banging or scold him for this behavior.

While head banging is common and usually nothing to worry about, in some kids it can be part of a developmental problem. A child who is head banging often, particularly if there’s a question of developmental delay or abnormal social interactions, should be seen by a doctor.