Nora recently started pulling her own hair. I first saw her do it a few weeks ago when we were in North Carolina. She was sitting in her high chair. She had finished eating and was just sitting there. She pulled her hair with her right hand and then popped her right thumb into her mouth. I thought it was kind of funny, at first. She pulled her hair HARD. But, then it started to happen more often. Now it seems to have turned into a bad habit. She does it the same way every time–always on the right side and then sucks her right thumb. I have started to find her hair all over–in her bed, stroller, car seat, and on her high chair tray. Her hair is noticeably thinner on the right side. It has started to bother me.

I did some research about it. I found that it is probably a self soothing technique:

Hair pulling, head-banging, body rocking, thumb sucking and other habits often appear in infancy. Parents who witness these sometimes alarming behaviors wonder why their children do it. Oddly enough, these habits are considered self-soothing to the infant and are often associated with boredom, loneliness, or some other stress. Fortunately, the habits in young infants and toddlers are not usually associated with emotional or development problems, and they often stop after few months without any special intervention.

So, I guess for now, there is nothing really to worry about. I will just watch it and hope that it resolves on its own soon.

You may need professional help if the child is closer to school aged, if the habit does not resolve within several months, especially if there is a family history of trichotillomania, obsessive compulsive disorder or anxiety disorders. For head banging and body rocking, a parent may worry if the child is showing signs of mental retardation or abnormal language and social development. As always, if you have any doubts about the nature of your child’s behavior, consult your pediatrician.

I did find some ideas on how to stop it. One suggestion was to cut her hair so short that she can’t pull it–like a buzz cut. I just don’t think I can do that to her! She is such a cutie and I like her hair. I guess that could be a last option. Another idea was to sew mittens to her clothes so she can’t pull them off, and cant’ pull her hair. I may try that one. For now, I have just been trying to discourage her when I see her doing it. She seems to do it more when she is tired and bored. I see her doing it a lot when she is in her high chair. She usually does it when she is done eating, and still sitting in her seat. I am going to try to get her out as soon as she is done eating, to try to take her out of the situation.

All my research says it is nothing to worry about, but inside it still bothers me. I keep wondering if it isn’t something more serious. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will go away as quickly as it appeared.