toddler hitting himself in the head

DS is 15mo and recently has started to hit himself in the head. A friend told me its bc he cant express himself and he is getting frustrated, but he does it at such random times i cannot believe that is why. Yes, he will do it when he gets frustrated or when we tell him no, but he will also do it while eating dinner, while playing in the pool, while running around the house, while sitting in his crib, etc. I basically just ignore it because I do not know how else to react. sometimes i tell him no (not in a yelling tone) but that doesnt stop him.

is this normal behavior that he will outgrow? should i be concerned?

toddler hitting himself in the head

My son used to take both hands and smack himself in the head. Sometimes it was when he was in trouble and in the time out corner, sometimes it was for no reason at all. He'd be sitting at the table eating dinner, or playing with his toys or watching tv and he'd just start smacking his head with his hands. He's 4.5 now and I'd say it stopped around 3-3.5. At first I used to tell him to stop and ask him why he was doing that and he'd just look at me and continue doing it. But then I just ignored the behavior and eventually he just stopped.

Re: toddler hitting himself in the head

My 16 month old does it occasionally.

Re: toddler hitting himself in the head

My son started banging his head against the wall, furniture, whatever was available around that age.

I was also worried and posted about it here as well. I thought he was developing anger and behavioral issues and was totally freaked out.

It was more so out of frustration - when he was upset and didn't get his way. He wasn't talking yet and didn't understand how to express his feelings.

Its rough going through it though - my doctor told me to try and divert his attention when it happens. Like, "Ohhh look at this cool ball, or can you make the car go vrooom", things like that.

Once he learned to communicate through expression and language - it just stopped. I would say at about 2.

He is such a happy, incredibly well behaved boy at 2.5.

It will most likely pass. I wouldnt worry too much. Phase 100 of 1,000,000!