Help! My Toddler Keeps Dragging His Head on the Floor

First of all, before you start to worry, the behavior is more common than you think. Whether it be for one reason or another, toddlers are learning to express their feelings in many ways. Banging or dragging their head on the floor may be one of those ways. The behavior is more common in some children than others and is a way of expressing feelings or learning. Here we shed light on some of the most common reasons your toddler may drag his head on the floor.

Why is my toddler putting his head on the floor?

There could be various reasons your toddler puts his head on the floor. Here are a few possibilities:

1. Attention-seeking behavior: Your toddler may be putting his head on the floor to get attention from you. This behavior may occur if your toddler feels he is not getting enough attention from you or if he is negatively seeking attention.
2. Sensory-seeking behavior: Some children use sensory-seeking behaviors, such as dragging their heads on the floor, to seek out sensory input. This behavior may be a way for your toddler to stimulate his senses, particularly his sense of touch.
3. Frustration or discomfort: Your toddler may be putting his head on the floor to express frustration or pain. This behavior may signify that your toddler is overwhelmed or upset about something.
4. Exploration and experimentation: Toddlers are naturally curious and love to explore their environment. Your toddler may be putting his head on the floor to explore and experiment with his surroundings.

Why do babies rub their heads on the floor?

Here are some additional possible reasons why babies may rub their heads on the floor:

• Comfort: Some babies may find the sensation of rubbing their heads on a soft surface to be soothing and comforting.
• Teething: If the baby is teething, he may be experiencing discomfort in his mouth and rub his head on the floor to find relief.
• Developmental milestone: Babies go through many developmental milestones as they grow and learn. Rubbing their heads on the floor may be a way for babies to practice and develop their gross motor skills, such as rolling and crawling.

What does it mean when a toddler does a downward dog?

A downward dog is a yoga pose in which a person stands on their hands and feet with their body in an inverted “V” shape. It is a typical pose that is often practiced in yoga classes.

If your toddler is doing a downward dog, it could signify that he is imitating the pose that he has seen someone else do, such as a parent or a teacher. It could also mean that your toddler is interested in yoga and exploring the different poses.

In general, it is normal for toddlers to mimic the behaviors and actions of the people around them to learn and understand the world. Imitating yoga poses can be a fun and healthy way for toddlers to explore and learn about their bodies.

However, it is essential to make sure that your toddler is not attempting to do any poses that may be beyond his physical abilities or that may be unsafe. Therefore, it is always a good idea to supervise your toddler when he is engaging in physical activities and to stop him from doing any poses that may be risky.

When should I worry about my toddler’s head?

There are several situations in which you should be concerned about your toddler’s head, including:

1. Head injuries: If your toddler has sustained a head injury, monitoring him for signs of a concussion or other serious head injury is essential. If your toddler exhibits any of the following symptoms after a head injury, you should seek medical attention immediately:

• Loss of consciousness
• Persistent headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or balance problems
• Slurred speech
• Seizures

2. Misshapen head: If your toddler has a misshapen head or a noticeable flattening, it could signify a condition called plagiocephaly. Plagiocephaly is a common condition that occurs when the shape of the head becomes flattened due to prolonged pressure on one area of the head. If you are concerned about the shape of your toddler’s head, you should consult a pediatrician or a child development specialist.
3. Rapid head growth: If your toddler’s head is growing rapidly or his head size is significantly larger than average, it could be a sign of a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain, which can cause the head to become enlarged. If you are concerned about the size or growth of your toddler’s head, you should consult a pediatrician or a child development specialist.

It is important to be aware of any changes or abnormalities in your toddler’s head and to seek medical attention if you have any concerns.

Why Does My Toddler Drag His Head on The Floor?

1. Toddlers Do Weird Things

At each milestone in their development, toddlers continuously learn and pay attention to the environment around them. However, because situations are so new at this point in life, their behaviors are common to be unusual according to our “adult standards.”

Such strange actions can include body rocking, head dragging, banging, or rolling, to name a few.

Most of the time, children act this way to stay calm or feel in control. Being aware of this fact, it is crucial to assure yourself that, in most cases, it is to be expected. However, if you should be worried, always talk to your child’s pediatrician.

As different milestones approach, you will find your child doing different actions and going through new phases. Some behaviors last longer than others, while some may take longer to grow out of. Assuringly, if your toddler drags his head, it is not uncommon for the habit to last until he is about three years of age. Parents need to handle these behaviors accordingly. Not shaming your kids when you see odd behaviors would be best. The best way to take it is by acknowledging and casually redirecting the habit to more socially acceptable behavior.

2. They are Tired or Crying

From their first cry to a growing child, toddlers will always tell you if they are tired or unhappy. However, unlike many assumptions, they will not always begin to cry as a warning sign. While babies are more likely to react to hunger or tiredness by crying, toddlers are not always this way. Here is yet another example a toddler may drag their head on the floor.

The energy (or lack thereof) is hard for them to express in the moment of their frustration. They will let it out in any way they see fit. If the child is tired or hungry, or if it is easily able to be fixed, the behavior may stop instantaneously. Parents need to notice the cues and act accordingly when they happen.

3. Frustration Reliever

When frustrated, we are usually given a chance to voice the fact. Toddlers, however, are not at a stage where they can tell you straightforwardly in words what is going on. An example is when dragging their head on the floor may happen, consistently or not. Many parents report a dramatic head flop to reveal to their parents; they are unhappy with the current situation. They often look up as if to ask, “so, are you going to do something?”

Frustration can happen to toddlers due to the inability to understand what is going on or out of unhappiness. The other possible reasons for this behavior are likely due to hunger, lack of attention, or tiredness. Banging or dragging their heads is a way of vocalizing their frustrated demeanor in hopes for it to grab someone’s attention. Some babies display the behavior as they become strong enough or are learning to hold their heads up.

4. Self-Soothing

Sometimes toddlers do stuff that causes us as parents to laugh. As a way of comforting themselves, toddlers behave in numerous ways. For example, dragging their head on the floor happens during play, sometimes going from one toy to another. Sometimes it is also an in-between between crawling and walking. The game form in this example is suitable for toddlers’ comfort and engages them with their environment.

Jennifer Kolari is a well-known child and family therapist and author of Connected Parenting: How to Raise a Great Kid. She states, “The brain likes comfort and associates comfortable things with whatever is happening at the moment.” It could mean a toddler expressing it by dragging their head on the floor. Additionally, Jennifer states that toddlers are always looking for comforting sensations familiar to them as babies.

Due to forming of neural pathways, these behaviors repeat themselves. So, your toddler dragging their head will likely not stop immediately. As sudden as it may have started, at some point, it will end just as suddenly as they reach another developmental milestone. As humans who are natural habit-formers, likewise, even at the age of a toddler, it already becomes evident. Once the habit is broken or the toddler finds another way to soothe themselves during uncertain situations, the behavior will cease.

5. Attention-Seeking Behavior

No matter the age, children will take measures to draw attention to themselves if they feel they are not getting enough. This desire to feel wanted or needed starts at a child’s earliest moments. Like most children, they will go to many extremes to feel included and desirable. These behaviors may be as non-harmful as dragging their heads or more serious such as banging their head against something.

In instances like these, it is vital to redirect and make it clear to your toddler what the expected expectation is. Please do not assume they will know. Children often show that they are bothered if you are not actively involving them or looking at them. All attention-seeking behavior must be identified and dealt with in positive ways. Listen if your child seems to be showing you, they are not getting the attention they need. Also, an excellent way to look at it is allowing these behaviors to be a reason to be more engaging with your child.

We may not always know what our children need or want, but noticing the signs of dissatisfaction, allow us to do better.

6. Pain Relief

One of the most common pains children experience is ear infections, although pain could come from various reasons. When children have pain, they display it in a variety of ways. For example, toddlers with ear infections may tug at their ears or cry. Surprisingly, if your child is in pain, they may drag their head on the floor; it can be one of many indications they are not feeling good.

Dragging their head may be a calming method or a distractor for them. Whatever the case, it is essential to rule out reasons for their actions. The most important reasons to rule out are pain, hunger, or withdrawal. Making sure you know why something is occurring is the first step to understanding and fixing the problem.

Being worried or uncertain about your child’s behavior will likely occur one way or another for all parents. Luckily, we have resources to use to explain odd behaviors to help us understand our children more. For example, as you know, toddlers dragging their heads across the floor is typical for various reasons. However, the behavior is enacted and can be dealt with once a parent knows why.