Daughter Twirling Her Hair!

Braid it. There are so many ways to do it. Some are easier than others.
http://www.dreamweaverbraiding.com/Braiding_Tips.htm
http://www.longhairloom.com/stylingstationcentral.html

I put my daughter's hair up in "Minnie Mouse" buns on her head. It looked adorable and she couldnt twirl it, and it stayed nice all day. To do them, I used the tiny ouchless bands. Put in two pigtails, then with each one, divide the tail in half and twist. Then wrap that half around the elastic and secure with another. Then I twisted the other 1/2 and wrapped it around it in the opposite direction and secured it with another elastic. You can leave a little hair on the end out and it creates a cute little fringe around the bun too. If you would like step by step pictures, I can email them to you. It is super easy, and easiest when the hair is damp.

My mother would looove to talk to you!:) I am 28 and still twist my hair. As a child I did it until she had to cut knots out. She actually cut all of my hair off b/c she couldn't get me to stop. I would do it in my sleep, even. Pulling it up is the only thing I can think of. Honestly, for me, I would just take it out and do it. I will tell you it is something I do when I am stressed or deep in thought. I do it to this day just w/out the knots now:) If you pull it up at night use a scrunchy. Helps not to break off the strands.

I agree with the other mom - put it back in a hairstyle where she can't twirl it. My older daughter sucked on her hair when she was nervous (I know, gross), so I started french-braiding it, putting it in a ponytail and then braiding it, putting it in buns - anything I could think of to make it inaccessible for her to put in her mouth. It has broken her of the habit, which is good.

Just wanted to tell you that my 2.5 year old daughter does the exact same thing! On a daily basis I find myself carefully combing out horrible knots and snarls (so frustrating)! She twirls her hair while she sucks her thumb, normally when she's tired, to soothe herself. So I almost feel bad not letting her twirl it, because I did the same thing when I was little and I know how comforting it is for her :-) I will be curious to see what answers you get.

I have the same exact problem with my 3 year old !! I need help she does it when she is tried or drinking her cup !! I doesn't matter if i put it up she will find a piece of hair to put in a knot it i have had to cut her hair i just can't get her to stop..

My daughter also did this, to the point where some mornings her finger was stuck in her hair, and finger or no finger, half her hair would be a horrendous knot every morning. When she was 4, I got her hair cut into a bob, right around her ears, and that solved it. Main reason to get it cut? the side she twirled was so damaged that it was actually over an inch shorter than the other side. Cutting may not work for everyone, but the less hair there is too twirl, the less damage she will do to it.

I agree with the sensory issues. There is a little girl where my son goes to occupational therapy, who twirls and/or sucks her hair constantly. They cut it short but she still tries to twirl. The therapist was suggesting other things she could fiddle with with her hands or her mouth. Something for her to get the nervous energy out. Some kids suck on their clothes, etc. - it is just a nervous habit / comfort thing.

Braids do sound like a good idea - I braid my hair sometimes and then I will play with the end of it, but there isn't enough room to get it in knots. So it wouldn't make the habit unavailable (might be hard with a 2 year old), but it would limit the damage potential.

My daughter not only twirls but used to pull her hair out. I've been told by professionals that it's most likely a comfort thing at that age. Children at that age can also be dealing with sensory issues. Try different textures with stuffed animals, quoosh balls, yarn, etc. Another suggestion would be to try some larger pony tail holders as a bracelet (since she's only 2) that she can fiddle with. Just make sure it's nothing that if it came apart, she could put it in her mouth. Hope this help!

C.

Not to be cruel, take her to have to it cut into a bob, than she can't twirl it.

Updated

Not to be cruel, take her to have to it cut into a bob, than she can't twirl it.

I had the same bad habit when I was small, and it broke in one night. Unfortunately, it had to be cut because I had twirled my hair so much in my sleep that I had trapped my finger in my hair.

I suggest putting her hair up to keep it inaccessible to her twirling. I'd hate for anyone to have to go through what I did.