any ideas how to handle a 14mo hitting himself/headbutting things?

[madmillie92]

So my 14 mo has started to hit or punch himself in the head...at least a few times a day..and also usually when hes tired he will headbutt the floor (then cry for a second...then do it again)
When he hits himself I usually grab his hand and say no firmly...which leads him to laugh and do it again harder...ditto with the headbutting...so do I ignore it? Im terrified he will will hurt himself...and he just thinks it hilarious! He hardly ever cries when he falls over so I think he must just have a high pain threshold...im not one for gender stereotyping but he's such a typical little boy!

 

[Nonabean]

Let him do it, he'll only do it hard enough to properly hurt himself once. He's looking for attention - and is getting it by behaving negatively. Xx

 

[Kay Kay]

My 18 mo has been doing this for a while now and it is quite concerning. He started off hitting himself on his head first off probably from about 12 months then a couple of months ago he stopped that but has started the headbutting. Same as your lo just through frustration mainly and when he's tired. I also think he does it cos he thinks I will give him his dummy (I don't). I'm ignoring it at the mo and hoping he will stop it soon!

 

[Durhamchance]

I researched this when my son was a similar age, head butting things in frustration and it's really quite common in boys. The best thing you can do is ignore it. My son is doing it less and less now and he's nearly two.

 

[cam]

Ive the same problem at the moment same age too, he does it all the time really frustrating but like your lo telling him off just makes him do it more im trying the ignoring now so hopefully works x

 

[Wilson28]

Ahh we had the phase, soon passes, its frustration of the ability to walk and trying to talk, its just hitting his milestone. It doesnt last long. Just ignore him or if it gets bad distract him by offering a drink or bit of food x