She recently picked up this habit. I have threatened to cut her hair short like a boys, but i don't really want to do that. She has such pretty hair. But when I brush her hair it's painful to her because of the ends gerring hard & tangled from her sucking on it. She is going through an emotional time right now, so I think its an insecurity thing. The divorce is really hard on her. Any ideas to help her stop sucking her hair is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
2006-10-28 02:55:50 · 21 answers · asked by Amy 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Grade-Schooler
I don't get angry at her. It's just frustrating because everytime I brush her hair she cries. Even when I'm gentle about brushing. & she tells me mommy I dont want to eat my hair anymore, I just do. So now when she does, I just say the word. Hair & she takes it out of her mouth. Yes because of what is going on in her life, I do a lot of reassuring her that both mommy & daddy still love her.
2006-10-28 03:07:57 · update #1
I think you are right. It is probably stress related and you are just going to have to keep telling her. If you note one of my questions earlier I am dealing with a bad habit myself. Maybe help her out a little and put her hair in a bun or ponytail.
2006-10-28 05:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by peach 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a brush for basting turkeys then dip it into something that she will really not like having in her mouth. tobasco sauce is one....vinegar another....apply it to the area of the hair where she does this most....it will only take a few times and she'll be over it. you can also use a gradation method whereby you give her doll with real hair and each time she sucks her own hair put the dolls hair into her mouth instead.....then, slowly she will suck the dolls hair and then you can apply tobasco or what not to the dolls hair....I like the first suggestion best. Either way she's going to stop doing this......just make sure you NEVER get angry at her for doing it or she'll become confused....she's not doing anything wrong, it's just a habit is all. good luck.
2006-10-28 10:03:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would ask her if she would like your help with trying to stop putting hair in her mouth by gently reminding her that she is doing it . If she says yes, great. If not, let it alone.Eventually it will cease. Try not to make too big an issue of if, otherwise she might begin to do it for other reasons such as to gain attention or a rise out of you. Just let her know you love her and if she would like to stop, you are always there to help her.
2006-10-28 21:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i did the exact same thing when i was little and my parents were getting divorced. the hair sucking turned into hair eating and i couldnt stop for a good13 years but i did on my own. cutting my hair didnt work. take her to a psychologist and ask about trichotillomania. dont let it get any further because it caused so much pain in my life and i hate to see anyone else how i was.
2006-10-28 10:06:19 · answer #4 · answered by »-(¯`v´¯)--»CHELSEA«- 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually use to do this as a child and it drove my mother insane. She is sucking her hair because she is stressed about something... most likely school. If she doesn't suck her hair, she going to suck her thumb, bite her nails... something to release that stress. The key is you need to try to get her to releases the stress into something else like coloring or art. The problem is in a pinch, the hair will always be there so she will keep doing it to comfort herself. Most children grow out of this though....
Don't be to hard on her... it will just make it worst.
2006-10-28 10:01:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it may be a normal reaction to what's happening around her. It's a coping mechanism, a source of comfort for her in a time of uncertainty.
Just do your best to make her feel loved, try to explain as much as she can understand that you will still be there for here, despite what is happening, that everything will be alright. Actions will speak louder to her than words in this case.
You can also give her positive reinforcement for not sucking her hair. Like give her a toy when she doesn't suck her hair for one whole day. That sort of thing.
I hope this helps.
2006-10-28 10:01:09 · answer #6 · answered by MJ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Observe when she does it. Chances are she sucks her hair when she is bored or idle, like when watching television.
When you notice that she sucks her hair when doing a certain activity (or lack of one), guide her into doing something else.
Instead, have her play with other kids and get her to play outdoors so she can run and the like; it's hard to play Tag or interact with other kids when she has a mouthful of hair.
2006-10-28 10:13:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try putting her hair up so she can't suck on it and maybe speak with her paediatrician since its an emotional time for her she might be sucking her hair as a way to comfort herself just as a child sucks his or her thumb for comfort
2006-10-28 10:23:01 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put some really hot sauce around the places she sucks on or the pieces that are within her mouth reach. She wont like the taste of that. She prolly likes the taste of her shampoo or somethin
2006-10-28 15:44:33 · answer #9 · answered by kait 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all u have 2 do is cut it if u don't want 2 cut it then just put her hair up in a pony tail so she cant suck on it or eat it
2006-10-28 10:59:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋