My 2 year old son bangs his head when falling asleep and waking up. to a point where he has this big bump on the back of his head and it sticks out..its red and even has hair missing. will his skull be like that permanently?

Actually normal: Head banging among babies and toddlers is actually a normal behavior. Some children do this around nap time or bedtime, almost as a self-soothing technique. Try padding the area lightly where he bangs his head. You may also want to talk to his Pediatrician to evaluate the bump and hair loss. Children usually grow out of this behavior by age 5 with no permanent deformations.

Behavioral eval: The bruising under the scalp is likely to resolve, place a cool compress on the area. Watch for signs of drowsiness, lack of coordination and balance, vomiting and fever. It is a habit which may be modified with behavioral therapy. If it occurs during the day as well, an EEG and Neurologic exam are indicated. Padding around the headboard and a foam pillow will help to lessen the impact.