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June 2011 Moms
amypogg6
member
pulling hair out
amypogg6
member
Em has head a full head of hair since she was born. She has always held onto it for comfort, and now that she can, she holds it with the same hand she is sucking her thumb on. I usually move it out of her hand, but it was never really a big deal. Now though, she pulls chunks of her hair out when she is trying to sleep or just sitting there playing or in the car or anywhere. When she is having a bottle, it is the worst, and when we move her hands she puts it right back. I mean there are big chunks in her hand or on the ground. It's the same at DC. I have been getting really nervous and told my DH that I want to send her to therapy, even though I dont know if they do that for LOs. We have her 12 month appointment tomorrow. That is why I haven't called the pedi. Does anyone else experience this or have and ways to help me?
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Re: pulling hair out
At this age, I think it's fairly normal. DD does this a lot, though she doesn't actually usually manage to pull too much hair out, but she pulls at it all the time (and my hair too) especially when she's tired. I read that it's a way for them to release tension and they tend to do it while drinking a bottle or trying to fall asleep.
There are a few things you could try: 1) start stroking her hair yourself when she does it- even if she's doing it at the same time. She might realize you're doing it and eventually stop because it feels the same. (this is the technique we've had the most luck with) 2) get her some kind of doll with hair or a lovey she can stroke/pull. 3) try to gently remove her hand each time and do something else with it to distract her- though I've found in our case she gets upset when I try to make her stop. 4) try not to freak out about it or it will just make her more stressed out and worsen the cycle. If it's the only way she can feel less tense when she's trying to relax, a few less hairs probably isn't going to hurt right now.
From what I've read, in most cases babies who like to do this grow out of it by the time they are 2. It's not an indication of anything she needs therapy for at this point- it's a pretty normal baby habit. You want to gently discourage her without making her more anxious about it in the process.
DS has always done this (maybe since 3 months or so) anyway he even created a bald spot. He does it when he is tired or fustrated. Anway I had to braid his hair so OTHER kids would stop pulling it. Now neither he or other kids can pull it so the spot grew back.
I say all that to day maybe could pull your LO's hair back or clip it back in such away to detract from the pulling. I have no idea when they out grow this phase.