BABY AND CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES: HEAD ROLLING, HEAD BANGING AND ROCKING
Towards the end of the first year many infants resort to strange habits, such as banging the head, rolling the head or rocking the head and body when lying in the cot. Often this is more common when they are tired and as they are about to fall asleep. Many finally drop off into slumber.
Some infants pull at their hair, others knock and bruise themselves, particularly their arms. It may be an indication of boredom, or relief from tension. It has been related to adults drumming a desk with their fingers, or tapping the floor with their toes, or making other rhythmical movements when under stress.
Some parents fear the child may be mentally defective, or that the child is masturbating.
Treatment
It is worth having the infant examined by the family doctor if fears are held for his mental state. If the child obviously relates well to others and is making satisfactory mental and physical progress for his age, mental disorders can usually be ruled out. Most cases tend to settle down. Simple methods to prevent the child from mechanically injuring himself are worthwhile, such as padding the sharp edges and corners of the cot. Sedative medication is often prescribed, but this gives only temporary respite and is virtually useless. Most cases settle down in due course as they become older, and the problem automatically vanishes.
*24\87\2*