7 disturbing habits of toddlers

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All children have behaviors for self-soothing and comforting. Sometimes these behaviors develop into habits that can cause anxiety, anger, and shame in parents. Habits can be formed when children are tired, stressed, or bored. Children can continue to have those habits into adulthood.

1. Head banging

Toddlers often have a habit of banging their heads, such as banging their heads against the railing of a crib. This behavior is quite common in toddlers. Up to 20% of babies and toddlers often have this habit, in which the percentage of boys is 3 times more likely to do it than girls.
A child's head-banging habit can last for months or even years.
Possible reasons why your child is banging his head:
Self-comfort: It may sound weird but most toddlers enjoy this behavior which relaxes themselves. Babies beat their heads rhythmically before going to sleep, when they wake up in the middle of the night, or even while sleeping. Developmental experts believe that rhythmic movements, like rocking in a chair, can help children self-soothe. Pain relief: Toddlers can also bang their heads if they are in pain - such as from teething or an ear infection. Head banging seems to help babies feel better, perhaps by distracting them from unpleasant sensations in their mouth or ears. Frustration: If your child bangs his head in a tantrum, he may be trying to vent some strong emotions. Children have not yet learned to fully express their feelings through words, so they are using physical actions. Children may be comforting themselves when they are stressed. Attention: Constant head banging can also be a way to get your child's attention. A developmental problem: Head banging may be linked to autism and other developmental disorders. In rare cases, head banging can signal a serious health problem. If your child bangs their head a lot during the day or continues to bang their head even though they're hurting themselves, you should take your child to see a doctor. Although uncommon, head banging may be associated with autism and other developmental disorders.
Children with autism often do not want to communicate with people. They are often disinterested in physical contact with their parents and seem to only glance at others rather than directly. If you notice that your child is losing physical, language, or other skills that he or she has acquired; if the child becomes increasingly withdrawn; or if your child is consistently delayed in reaching general developmental milestones, get them checked out.

2. Thumb sucking

Babies have a habit of sucking their thumbs while in the womb to comfort themselves. But if your toddler's thumb sucking continues into the toddler years, it's natural at some point to start wondering when it will end.
Toddlers suck their thumb as it comforts and soothes them. Your baby may have developed this habit in the womb and perfected it as an infant.
Children can suck their thumb when tired, scared, bored, sick or trying to adapt to challenges. Babies can also use thumbs to help fall asleep and to lull themselves back to sleep when they wake up in the middle of the night.
According to the American Dental Association, most children can safely suck their thumb - without damaging the alignment of the teeth or jaw - until the permanent teeth begin to erupt.
Also, not all thumb sucking is equally harmful. Experts say that it is the sucking and thrusting force of the tongue that deforms the teeth. Children who leave their thumbs passively in their mouths are less likely to have dental problems than children who suck vigorously.

3. Nose picking

This can be one of the most frustrating habits for parents. This action looks very unsightly.
Children may pick their noses out of curiosity or when bored. Like other habits, nose picking can relieve stress.
Children who pick their noses with a high frequency may be allergic because the mucus in the nose is thick or scaly, making the child feel like something is in the nose, making it difficult for the child to stop picking the nose. In addition, certain environmental conditions, such as heaters or air conditioners, dry out a child's nasal passages, in which case a humidifier should be used to be effective.
Unlike nail biting, the nose-picking habit usually disappears by the time a child reaches adulthood. Most children will kick the habit on their own because they lose interest or because other kids tease them to stop them.

4. Nail biting

Of all the typical bad habits that are probably the ones that can last into adulthood the typical bad habits of toddlers, . It could be for the child to deal with feelings of stress or anxiety.
Children can bite their nails for any number of reasons - curiosity, boredom, stress relief, routine or imitation. Nail biting is the most common among children, and includes thumb sucking, nose picking, hair pulling, and teeth grinding. Some children continue this behavior into adulthood.
As children grow up, there are many things that make children worry, a lot of stress and pressure, maybe these pressures are invisible to parents. If your child is biting his nails moderately (without self-injury) and unconsciously (such as while watching TV) or if he or she tends to bite his nails in response to specific situations (such as a performance or a test), it's just a child's way of dealing with stress. Parents should not be too worried.
Most children will give up this habit on their own. However, in some cases it is possible to continue this behavior into adulthood.
To get your child to give up this habit, you can do a few things:
Resolve your child's worries Do not nag or punish your child Support your child if he wants to stop this behavior Talk to your child about giving up some bad habits Helping children become aware of their own habits Offer alternative activities In rare cases, severe nail biting can signal excessive anxiety in a child . Consult your child's doctor if nail biting is causing the fingertips to hurt or bleed, or if the child is also engaging in other disturbing behaviors (such as plucking eyelashes or hair), or if the child do not sleep very well.
In addition, you need to take your child to see a doctor if the child's nail biting habit occurs with increasing frequency.

5. Using a pacifier

It is not uncommon for children to have a habit of using a pacifier. And it's a way to help children deal with change or stress.
Many children use pacifiers to soothe and calm themselves very well during the toddler years and even into kindergarten. A pacifier can also act as what experts call a transition - something to help relieve stress and help your baby adjust to new or challenging situations, like starting daycare. or ride a car for a long time.
Toddlers should give up this habit soon as it makes them more susceptible to ear infections. One study found that children who did not use pacifiers had a 33% lower incidence of otitis media.
If your baby is developing language and speech skills, a pacifier won't help. That's because sucking on a pacifier locks the baby's mouth in an unnatural position, making it difficult for them to develop their tongue and lip muscles normally.
If your baby is just learning to talk, talking while using a pacifier can also limit opportunities to talk, distort his voice, and cause his tongue to become abnormally flat when he's resting. In some cases, frequent pacifier use can cause the tongue to push forward between the teeth. This sets the stage for dental problems and the development of "coughing" when making s and z sounds.
For these reasons, you should limit your baby's pacifier time as much as possible. At least when the child is talking. Make sure your baby is using the right sized pacifier, which is smaller, softer, and has less impact on your baby's speech. You should help your child break this habit by 18 months of age.

6. Profanity

If your child's ability to make small talk, ask questions, and communicate verbally becomes uncomfortable, don't show frustration in front of him. Children repeat what they hear, but at this age they don't really know what they are saying.
The child's profanity may have been the result of imitation by those around him and now he is repeating it. The best way to deal with this is to ignore it until the child loses interest. If the child continues, acknowledge that you shouldn't say bad words and distract him with a song or story.
You can help your child correct his profanity habits in the following ways:
Keep a serious face when your child swears, don't make jokes or laugh. Set rules: If your 2-year-old seems to have enjoyed a serious profanity or two, you need to set some rules. It's important to do this calmly - without becoming agitated or mad - otherwise your child will realize that this is the only way to get your attention. Use appropriate substitutes: But if your child is still swearing even after a warning or two from you, it's time to adopt discipline tactics. Be calm, respond quickly and consistently. Don't let your child swear to get what he wants: If he curses because he wants something, make sure he doesn't get whatever he's asking for. Teach your child about respect: Children may still be trying to learn to be empathetic and may not always remember to think of others first, but they still need to know when they are hurt, even when the child is not intentional. Pay attention to what you say: Sure, there are different rules for adult and child behavior, but if your teen hears profanity in everyday conversation, it's going to be a lot harder. to convince children that certain words are not allowed. They will also wonder why a rule applies to them and not to you. Treat your child like a sponge: She absorbs what she sees and hears around her and is eager to share what she learns with others, for better or worse.

7. Masturbation

Young children have a habit of masturbating. Why? Because kids feel better, and that's self-exploration. This can make adults uncomfortable.
Young children masturbate for the same reasons as older children (and adults): It feels great! Exploring your body is part of growing up.
Children are learning to run, jump, throw, draw and (maybe) use the toilet often. Babies can be both curious about their genitals and curious about their fingers, toes and navel - and if they've recently switched from diapers to underwear, they may be able to access their sex organs. yourself easily.
Masturbation is completely normal. It does not cause physical harm, endanger health or mean that the child will become a sex maniac. Masturbation in young children is not sexual (as it is for adults) because young children do not know what sex is.
Young children masturbate because it feels good, and good feelings can be as pleasurable for children as it is for adults.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, if your child masturbates repeatedly or excessively, it could be a sign that he or she is too scared, worried, or doesn't get much parental attention.
In addition, in order to prevent diseases that babies often get, parents should pay attention to nutrition to improve children's resistance. At the same time, add supporting foods containing lysine, essential micro-minerals and vitamins such as zinc, chromium, selenium, B vitamins,... snacks and less digestive problems.
Parents can learn more:
Why do you need to supplement Lysine for your baby?
The role of zinc - Guidelines for reasonable zinc supplementation
Please visit the website Vinmec.com regularly and update useful information to take care of your baby and family.
Reference source: babycenter.com