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Suggest Treatment For Head Banging In A Child

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Posted on Tue, 6 Oct 2015
Question: My grandson, 15 months, falls a lot and always seems to hit his head. Lately, he has been banging his head against the wall. What does this mean? Is he in pain?
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Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Observe the baby,head banging is normal in this age

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Head banging is quite a common complaint in this age.In most of the babies it is a part of behavior.
Babies who are under stimulated(hearing or visual defect,emotional deprivation,autism)do this for stimulation while those who are overstimulated(extra care by parents)find pleasure doing this movement.
Under stimulated condition like autism can be ruled out if his development is normal and interacts well with the parents.

I won't get overly worried as you have mentioned that he has been evaluated by a physician and everything(visual,auditory and neurological assessment)is normal.
Sometimes children do these kind of movement to seek the attention.
Most of the children grow out of it till 3 years of age.You can speed it up by pretending not to notice his head banging and at the same time observing if any thing abnormal is happening(lack of interaction and failure to achieve other social milestones).As the amount of time in this habitual activity get decreases,he will outgrow it more quickly.

I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more query.
Wishing for your grandson's good health.
Regards


Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2074 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Head Banging In A Child

Brief Answer: Observe the baby,head banging is normal in this age Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for asking on this platform Head banging is quite a common complaint in this age.In most of the babies it is a part of behavior. Babies who are under stimulated(hearing or visual defect,emotional deprivation,autism)do this for stimulation while those who are overstimulated(extra care by parents)find pleasure doing this movement. Under stimulated condition like autism can be ruled out if his development is normal and interacts well with the parents. I won't get overly worried as you have mentioned that he has been evaluated by a physician and everything(visual,auditory and neurological assessment)is normal. Sometimes children do these kind of movement to seek the attention. Most of the children grow out of it till 3 years of age.You can speed it up by pretending not to notice his head banging and at the same time observing if any thing abnormal is happening(lack of interaction and failure to achieve other social milestones).As the amount of time in this habitual activity get decreases,he will outgrow it more quickly. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more query. Wishing for your grandson's good health. Regards