How do you stop babies pulling hair?

Question

We have a 2 year old although due to Meningitis and a mis-diagnosed hernia has the mental skills of a 1 year old. Although a very huggy baby (really snuggles into you) he loves to pull my wifes and any one elses long hair. As you can imagine after a whole day of having your hair pulled it can get quite painful. He's not of a mental age yet to understand NO etc. does anyone have an idea how we can stop this?

Answer 1

If he has the mental skills of a 1 year old, then, yes, he *can* understand "No!" although he isn't yet at a stage where he can always do as asked (but that doesn't come until the early teens--and even then, they *won't*!). But in the meantime, you have to consistently distract him from hair-pulling; every time he puts his hands near hair, direct them to something else.

Answer 2

My son had a very bad habit of this. He wouldn't just tug on my hair he would acctually rip it out in handfuls(luckily I have very long and thick hair so it went unnoticed lol). I completely understand how painful and frustrating this can be. I would unwrap the hair from his hands and hold them while telling him no. Then I took his hand and gently stroked my hair with it telling him nice. After about a week he would go to pull and when I told him to be nice he would then let go and stroke my hair instead. It took about 2 or 3 weeks to get him completely out of this habit and a lot of repeating the same gestures and wording. Try and keep him busy when he starts doing this also. Distraction is a great way to stop bad habits as it takes thier mind off what they are doing and onto something else but no matter what it will take time and repetition.

Answer 3

I have two kids age 2 and 4. My two year old would hold my hair to go to sleep but did not pull, but my 4 year old from the first day in the hospital would pull. the only thin that I found that worked is time. I would have to keep it pulled back to change or feed her but when she got older and she graped my hair I would take her hand and tell her No, that hurt Momma; it took time but by the time she was 2 she stared to understand. Then when she was 3 she stared it again to be mean to her brother. I would take and easily pull hers then ask her if that hurt. She wold say yes and not do it for A few days, after A few times she st oped and has not done in again. The only thin you can relay do till he get older Even about 6 months is to remember that love can really hurt. And don't give up NO in a strong but easy voice you will be surprised how fast he will pick it up. I mean on day they cant talk and one day they can.

Answer 4

Tie the hair in a pony tail when holding him. If he still pulls, "No!" plus a little slap might help. If he persists, stop holding him for a little while; put him down. Don't assume he can't understand "no". He may take advantage and become unmanageable. The hardest thing is to know how much a child with mental difficulties understands. Give him the benefit of the doubt; assume he understands. Don't let him get away with anything. You will regret it later. Be kind, but firm. Make the rules simple and enforce them consistently. It's not OK for him to pull hair the first time. I raised seven children so I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hi Steve, I have a 2yr, 5mth old girl. I don't know why people have suggested it - I would strongly advise anyone against hitting, slapping or smacking a child, certainly a child of this age range, for any reason. This is partly because if you hit a child, the child will copy you, and make physical violence a part of his/her customary response to negative stimuli. And partly because it's just mean. As for pulling your baby's hair to 'teach him a lesson', I think the same principle applies. Most kids go through a hair-pulling phase, it is very trying, but the best thing to do is tie it all back securely, and maybe wear a hairband. And resolutely ignore anyone who tells you to slap the poor little mite. As for other people with long hair, the best you can do is pre-warn them if possible, or if impossible suggest they tie it back at the time. And if everything fails, at least you know they do grow out of it!

Answer 6

Hi my daughter does this - she's 17 months and I have just stopped her and stopped her biting, she has been doing this since she had teeth! She also scratched!

It was mainly down to temper and not expressing themselves. Your gonna find this happens until he is old enough to realise it is wrong, you can scould him by simply shouting a loud noise "hey" or "ouch" very loudly when he does this, this will shock him into letting go - hopefully - and then distract him with a toy, or just simply point to something in the room like "wow look at the cup" with real enthusiasm.

This should work, after a while he will get bored doing it, I know its upsetting and a pain. My daughter used to draw blood with her nails when she scratched. Ive been doing the above for 4 months now and its sunk in good and proper.

I wish you lots of look! Remember babies are smarter than u think!

Answer 7

My 5 1/2 month girl does this constant, I know at this age there isn't much you can do other than the ponytail. It is a touch thing, they learn this way. Everything that touchs my daughters hands she wants to pull into her mouth. Just this morning she got a fist full, I said no and took my hair back, she laughed. The concept of them causing pain isn't there for them. Best thing I have found is to stay away from her hands, harder said then done

Answer 8

One needs to anticipate these things because it is natural for babies to do this behavior regardless of diminished mental skills. Plan ahead by having items on hand that the child can grasp, like little toys or dolls, or a soft blanket. The child may drop these, but just keep giving them to him to keep his hands busy. The baby will not be able to grab hair if his hands are already full. If the baby needs to be held for extended periods, I recommend the front-facing baby carriers (kind of a like a back pack for your front). These inhibit hair yanking as well. Eventually, you will find something the child enjoys more than hair. Good Luck~

Answer 9

The way I stopped my childrens bad habits such as pulling hair and biting was to be very dramatic about the pain it supposed to cause. I screwed up my face in pain and said oww that hurt and made my voice sound really pitifull. It worked they didn't do it but once or twice after that.

Don't fake it to much or they'll know you are. Just do it as through it really hurt. Sometimes it does. Do it when they bit or pull the hair of other children as well say ow don't hurt the baby really pitifully.

Answer 10

People who will be snuggling with baby should put their hair up (even cut it, if really necessary). The first answerer may have a point - a one year old may even realize that having his or her hair pulled hurts - and may stop. Kind of barbaric - but if done out of love - and each time baby pulls hair - could work.