Advise cow head-bunting calf

I have a cow that just calved and she is accepting calf or at least is somewhat protective of calf when you get in the pen but she keeps head bunting calf when it gets up. She isn't banging him into the gates or anything but just keeps knocking him down. I have just let her be for now in hopes she calms down. I think she just gets worked up after calving and needs some time to settle down. What are others expiriences and what do you normally do? How long should I wait to get her in the chute and get the calf nursing if she doesn't calm down?

If my calves are not looking for the udder in a hour I intervene. If they are looking I watch them and make sure they have gotten the whole deal or I get involved. Some first time heifers just dont get what the calf is after and circle and circle and such just licking the calf. Putting some hay in front of them sometimes stops them long enough in one spot for the calf to get hold. Try the hay but  if nothing by a couple hours I help.

Buddy of mine put a halter on a heifer that was doing same thing and it helps sometimes when she steps on the rope dragging and can't bunt the calf. Had her in for a week and they going to let her out and take halter off next couple days.

I really can't tell what you are seeing, but some cattle PPL say and I think this is true that what you may be seeing is a survival instinct that is bred in and the cow is knocking the calf down to help it get stronger by having to get back up. It can although get to be on the rough side. I have had an EXT cow break a calf's front leg years ago. It does seem get better after a little time has past. Keep the calf close if you do decide to take it away for some time to keep Mom interested, but if she's licking and cooing to it when it's down, but gets excited when it gets up, but she's not going to injure the calf, I would leave them alone and come back later to see what is happening. Good Luck.

Thanks for  the input.  I checked her after about 2 hours and she had calmed down and let the calf suck.