When your toddler is a head-banger
Some toddlers may 'head bang' in their cots, especially if they wake up in the middle of the night. It's often a phase that starts at around a year, and may be associated with painful teething. Like thumb sucking, head banging is a comforter for children. Some toddlers wake at night and head bang to get back to sleep. Generally, head banging doesn't cause any harm but you could try the following:
• Ignore the behaviour – you're less likely to reinforce it as a habit;
• Pad the area in her room that she knocks against, to reduce the noise and soften the impact
• Secure the feet of the cot to stop movement;
• Offer her some pain relief for a few nights if you think that painful teething may be the problem.
Annette Maloney, health visitor.
By Annette Maloney, health visitor
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