What about children who bang their heads? For instance, three-year-old Terrence bangs his head against a  wall when he's mad. And two-year-old Mandy rocks in her bed when trying to go to sleep and sometimes bangs her head against the pillow or the headboard. The parents of both children are worried that they may hurt themselves. In fact, I've had other parents tell me that their children have ended up with bruises from head banging while others say their children had a bald spot on their head as a result of this behavior.

When babies are able to get up on their hands and knees, often at about nine months, many of them rock back and forth before going to sleep, or when they've just awakened. Sometimes they will add to this activity by banging their heads on the crib each time they rock forward.  The cause of this rocking motion is not well understood. Some child behavior experts believe that the child enjoys the rhythmic sensation of the rocking; some, that the youngster enjoys the visual movement; others, that it is a release for certain inner tensions. Some even think it is related to masturbatory activity. I tend to think that it frequently relates to boredom or frustration with not being able to go to sleep.

Certainly, there are children, mostly toddlers, who, like Terrence, bang their heads during a temper tantrum. Even with children who engage in this activity when seemingly angry and out of control, seldom do they experience any serious injury. More often then not, such youngsters go for the maximum effect with the minimum injury. Whatever the cause, it is of no real importance -- except perhaps to the child, who does get satisfaction from the behavior.

The only problem in most cases is the repetitive and sometimes loud and annoying sound of the rocking as the crib moves on the floor or the child's head bangs against the crib. The noise can be reduced by placing rubber cups under the legs of the crib, tightening the crib's screws, and padding the head and foot of the crib with crib bumpers, pillows, or thick blankets.  Since many parents worry that the head banging may injure the child, using bumpers and pillows to protect the child can be reassuring. This doesn't stop some of them from developing a temporary bald spot, however.