Children engage in many different forms of self-settling; some common behaviors include playing with their hair, stroking a lovey, repeatedly plopping down in bed, and even body rocking or head-banging. While the first few examples make more sense, children engage in body-rocking and head-banging because it’s rhythmic and they find it comforting.
Often we’re not able to stop this behavior and giving it attention can actually make matters worse as they discover it’s a good way to get a reaction. Consider if you’re putting your child down too early since boredom can exacerbate these behaviors. To reduce the risk of injury, experts suggest moving your child’s bed away from the wall. Additionally, you may find padded crib rail covers to be helpful.