How to Stop Your Baby from Pulling Hair
I think it's safe to say that many of us have used the phrase “I could pull my hair out,” whether we meant it or not. We usually say this when we are feeling extremely stressed! Believe it or not, your baby can feel this too.
Your baby might start pulling on their hair (or yours) when they find themselves upset or stressed out. This is a way that they are trying to self-soothe themselves. As much as we want our babies to self-regulate, we also don’t want them to hurt themselves (or us!). Keep reading to learn how to keep your baby from pulling hair.
Why is My Baby Pulling Their Hair?
When your baby is small, one of your most important duties is to make sure you meet all of their needs and comfort them when they need it. As they get older, though, they will begin learning self-soothing techniques so that they can help themselves. While it may not be the most comfortable technique, babies may learn to pull hair as a way to relieve stress, and it usually develops around six months of age.
If you notice your baby pulling at or twirling their hair, it’s a good way to gauge that they are feeling overwhelmed, overstimulated, or simply stressed. This is a common way for people to relieve stress. Think about how many times you’ve twirled or played with your hair when you feel nervous!
Even though you can recognize that your baby might be pulling or grabbing their hair from stress or other nervous energy, you may not know what’s causing it. Here are some common reasons that your baby may be pulling their hair:
Your Baby is Tired
Ah, the tale as old as time, the overtired baby! If you see your baby twirling their hair accompanied by yawning or sucking their thumb, they may be doing this to help lull themselves to sleep.
Your Baby is Cranky
Let’s be real: we all get cranky from time to time! I can’t count the number of times that I started twisting or playing with my hair when I was in a bad mood, and this can be the same for babies! If there is a lot going on and your baby starts messing with their hair, it might be the time to start comforting them.
Your Baby is Nursing
You may notice your baby pulling at their hair at the top or the sides of their head as they are feeding. This is completely normal! They are doing this as a way of self-soothing as they eat!
Your Baby is Teething
Teething is a big reason why your baby may be pulling their hair, especially if it is around their ears or jaw. They may be pulling to try and alleviate some of the pain they are feeling.
Your Baby is Having Fun
Everything in this world is new to them, including their hair! They might have noticed that they have hair and want to explore it! After all, it is a brand new texture and sensation that they have attached to themselves. Hair is like a built-in toy!
What to do if My Baby is Pulling My Hair
Sometimes, your baby isn’t only pulling their own hair, but yours as well. My son has been guilty of pulling my hair when he gets upset! More than likely, the first time your baby ever pulled your hair, they either got a yelp or a funny noise out of you and want to keep doing it to keep getting reactions out of you. This is no fun for you! Here are some tips to stop your baby from pulling your hair:
Put your hair back in a ponytail or bun when breastfeeding or holding your baby. If your hair isn’t hanging in front of them, it’ll be harder for them to grab ahold of!
Remain calm and firmly tell them no while you release their grip and move your hair away from them. Show them a more gentle way of touching your hair.
Redirect your baby with something else, like playing with their favorite toy!
Whatever method you choose to redirect your baby from pulling your hair, be as consistent as possible so that they learn that this is not okay to do. Eventually, they’ll give up when they realize that they aren’t getting the desired response from you.
How to Minimize Hair Pulling
Not all hair pulling is a bad thing, but if repeated over long periods of time, it can start to cause hair loss and bald spots. Because of this, you may want to try and deter this behavior! If your baby is starting to pull their hair excessively, try:
Suggesting something for them to hold onto, such as a blanket or toy
Gifting them a stuffed animal or blanket that has long fur or threads for them to play with
Playing a game that involves their hands, such as patty cake or the itsy-bitsy spider
Rubbing their bald spot and encouraging them to lower their arms
Do your best to stay calm when correcting their behavior and offer alternative activities or objects to keep your baby busy. If repeated enough times, they may eventually forget all about hair-pulling!
Monitor Your Baby’s Moods with Baby Connect
As you get to know your baby, you’ll learn all about their personality, likes, dislikes, and maybe even fears! After all, this is a new journey for both of you to embark on together! In the beginning, it may take some time to learn about your baby’s quirks and get into a rhythm.
As time goes on, you may notice that your baby reacts a certain way to some things. This can help you reduce or eliminate their strong negative reactions to the stimulus! If you notice your baby is beginning to pull hair frequently, you can start documenting it to find a pattern. Baby Connect is perfect for this, as you can create notes. This will help you hone in on your baby’s needs!
