DD playing with/eating her hair

I'm hoping someone can offer advice!

DD is 18 months old and constantly plays with her hair when she's in her crib. I believe it's a soothing mechanism for her because she tends to do it more when she's trying to sleep (or laying down just waking from sleep). EVERY morning I wake up to find her pacifiers covered in hair and a small hair ball in her mouth (attached to the pacifier) I also find lots of loose pieces of hair in her crib and at times, little knots of hair. She's definitely swallowing some of it (which is a major concern). When she's awake and plays with her hair I tell her to stop in hopes that she will NOT do it when she's out of the crib. She goes for her 18 month check up next week so will speak to the ped then. Has anyone's DC done this?!

Re: DD playing with/eating her hair

The biggest concern would be if she was purposely pulling out her hair and/or purposely eating it. It doesn't sound like this is what her intentions are right? I would DEFINITELY speak to your pediatrician about it, but this may be a behavioral issue not a medical one. If it is self soothing the best thing would be to replace that behavior with something else that will allow her to self sooth. The replacement would depend on what she finds soothing...
Ie: stroking her face with a blanket.

If it is the hair in her mouth that is appealing to her a good replacement would be to use something stringy to put in her mouth that mimics the texture of hair. The only thing I can think of right now is dental floss.

If she is intentionally pulling her hair out and eating it ear discomfort should be checked. Also it just could be an extension of her oral fixation (if pacifier dependent). You could also cut her hair (which can be heartbreaking) if it continues to be scary.

Basically in a nutshell, it is important to be sure it is self-soothing and not something more complex.

I hope it's just a phase!!!
Good luck!!!

ETA: this is not totally uncommon. Many grow out of it.

Message edited 5/2/2014 9:48:06 AM.

DD playing with/eating her hair

Thank you so much for the feedback and suggestions! Will try and find something else to soothe her (a new stuffed animal, small blanket) and see if that takes the attention away from her hair.

DD playing with/eating her hair

I don't have any advice because it am going through the same thing. From a baby my son always loved my hair, now at 2.5 years old he is constantly after me all day trying to put it in his mouth. I was concerned too and googled and it seems like it's a bigger issue if they are pulling out their own hair and eating it and causing bald spots. I'm just afraid he's going to go after some girls hair in school! Sorry for the lack of advice, but just wanted to let you know that you aren't alone!

Message edited 5/2/2014 5:44:39 PM.

Re: DD playing with/eating her hair

We are dealing with this too and it's super frustrating and hard. My DD has done it for 4 months and is currently 18 mos old. We have tried everything and nothing has helped. New stuffed animals, new bedtime routine, you name we did it. I ordered her scratch sleeves (google it) and they have silk mitts that cover the hands which helps but hasn't solved the issues and she can still get hair out. We put them on for every nap and bedtime. If we don't she will pull clumps out.

I have consulted 2 peds in my office and a behavioralist hollistic dr who confirmed it is a soothing habit. She only does it in the crib and occasionally in her car seat. Their advice was a short hair cut. This was super hard for me to deal with bc she didn't have long hair to begin with and it finally started growing and the bam she started this habit. She has a very large bald spot on the left side of her head and I don't think she can get much more hair. We cut the other side of her hair pretty short too. It's not buzzed bit less than a half inch long and hoping this helps. We did leave a few curls and some hair in the front. If all else fails I may have to buzz it ughhh. The hollistic dr seemed to think that within 3 months of a super short hair cut the habit should stop. I am praying this is the case.

Pls PM me if you want to chat I feel your pain!

Message edited 5/3/2014 12:24:12 AM.

Re: DD playing with/eating her hair

eating it is a phase...ds did it around that age. it passes