Stupid Question, But. . .

Updated on April 18, 2010
M.P. asks from Orem, UT
15 answers

Is there anything you can do to stop a 6 month old from pulling my hair out? I know all babies to it, but he does it more than my nieces and nephews ever did! (I watched them everyday so I know it's just not my little exposure to them) He's not happy unless grabbing my hair or my eyelids. I've tried toys that are attached to him, Binky's, blankets, my hair up, braided pigtails, holding him in front and not on the side (which can only happen sometimes) I have a bald spot now and would like for it to grow back, or do I just get to suffer?
Sidenote. I refuse to cut my hair short because its the kind of hair most girl are envious of and i look ridiculous with short hair.
Side sidenote: My hair has a ton of those little tiny hairs and the edges of my hairline so I can't just put it up and call it good. He seems to favor those little hairs.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Dear Shane. . . A TEN MINUTE BREAK! That's like putting a three year old on a timeout for and hour!!!!! I am not a fan of CIO and never will be until my baby is a year old when he can understand CIO a bit better.
I do agree with the others with the No! and Ouchie's! I had started doing that, but wanted others opinions. Thank you for those too.

Ummm. . .Where the H do you get to say that my baby is controlling me. No he is not controlling me. Just because I don't believe in CIO and am asking other opinions on how to get my son to stop pulling my hair does NOT mean he is controlling me. Oliver sometimes has his moments of pick me up now or something like that, but I wait a minute or two to finish what I'm doing and then pick him up. Seriously how do you get that I am wrapped around his finger? WHAT IS A STING SWITCH?? Anything with the word sting in it should not go hand in hand with a baby.

More Answers

J.B.

answers from Houston on

In my opinion he is way too little for any kind of discipline, he is a little bity baby:) I think every time he does it saying "ouch!" in a high pitched voice and putting him down immediately will help. I don't think you have to walk away or anything but put him down. Then if you pick him up and he goes for the hair, put him right back down. This should get his brain to realize that the action of grabbing your hair equals no fun for him. Maybe even say ouch as you are touching his hand to get it out of your hair, just to help with the correlation. That is what I did when my little guy started chomping on the breast. I said ouch and ended that feeding, to get the message that biting the breast equaled something he didn't like. Worked pretty well. I would definitely not let him pull your hair though, too painful!! Good luck!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

Shriek every time he does it and immediately move away from him. He'll figure it out. That's what I did when my nursing daughter would bite. It took her three times before she stopped biting.

The other option is to wear a close-fitting hat with your hair tucked up for a while.

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful

A.W.

answers from Savannah on

Hey there,

I totally hear you on this one. I love my hair. I will never cut it short. EVER. I have before and almost had a nervous breakdown!

My best advice to you is to begin lightly, gently disciplining him for this. Thats what I did with mine. Can I please emphasize -lightly & gently- please do not start whacking your 6 month old with a paddle or something insane!!

When mine did this I would tell them "No" in a very low and stern voice, but NOT in a loud voice. I would look them directly in their eyes and tell them, "No no, ouch!" and they would almost immediately cry just because of that. But it worked.

In my opinion at 6 months they are old enough to understand that you are displeased. Its a good time to start teaching "No" for biting while nursing (OUCH!) pulling hair, and hitting at the face intentionally. When he is a bit older, I'd say around 10 months, you could also give a slight tap on the hand that pulled your hair, and give the same scold.

Just don't over-do it. He is very tiny, and won't understand if you do anything more than scold right now. As a matter of fact, its going to take him a few days to understand the direct relation with your disapproval and his yanking of your hair - but he'll get there.

Hang in there!

1 mom found this helpful

K.I.

answers from Spokane on

Just take his hand away and tel him "No-No Ouch"...every time. He will eventually get the idea. This will probably be your first look at how persistent your lil' guy can be :) If he doesn't get it right away you will have just have to put him down.

This might be something that you will have to do for awhile if he is that attached and using it as his "lovey" almost...I had a nephew that every time he was sitting with you he wanted to hold and squish your ear...which just gave me the serious willies!

This too, shall pass!

~I had to respond to your post because I was always taught their are NO stupid questions...only stupid answers.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.F.

answers from Sioux Falls on

I had to cut my hair short...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

No you don't suffer. He is not allowed to hurt you at any age. Teach him that is wrong.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Florence on

Sounds mean but have you tried giving his hair a little tug. Not enough to really hurt but just enough to let him know how it feels. Of course if he doesn't have any hair then this won't work. Sometimes you have to let kids know how stuff feels or otherwise they don't know that it really hurts. Also a little spat on the hand when he does it might give him an idea that it is wrong to do that.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from San Antonio on

tie it up in a bun. It's a temporary problem and that will solve it until the baby grows a bit.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

don't let him grab it. keep it on the opposite shoulder. keep talking to him about it- "no no, that hurts mom." it doesn't have to be yelling or anything but a 6 month old should start understanding facial expressions such as happy or sad. He'll get used to the idea of you taking his hand off your hair before the damage is done. sorry about a bald spot- that's no fun. Use Nioxin shampoo system to fix it :) email me if you have questions about it- I'm a licensed Hair dresser & mommy ;)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Grand Junction on

Hi Megan,
This might be "normal" baby behavior only because the adults in baby's life allow this sort of thing to go on. As far as I'm concerned you are allowing your baby to control you. It will be hair today and more serious issues tomorrow if you don't get a handle on this. I would get a small switch and each time he begins to reach up for a good yank you give him a smile and a quick, stinging switch with a firm "no pull". You will have to go through this a couple of times to break the bad habit but if you are consistent it won't take long and you and baby can enjoy each other without "pulling your hair out". Blessings, L.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

he will grow out of it.
Many babies do this... its their grasping reflex/new motor skills/new textures interesting them etc. and he does it when he is near you because also their vision is developing too... and it is sometimes soothing for them and you are his Mommy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.P.

answers from Boise on

Is he pulling it, or running his fingers through it? My son uses my hair as a security blanket. Still does at 2 years. I still let him know when it hurt, and would remove his fingers after saying OUCH. Even at a young age, if his seemed to be using it as a handle, usually when distracted, I could ask him to let go, and he would.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

At 6 months, he's not too young to be told "no" or for you to react to hair-pulling by putting him down immediately and distancing yourself from him physically every time he does it. Explain to him - "That hurts mommy." It may take a little while, but if you are consistent, he will learn to understand. In the meantime, for occasions when that method might not be possible (out in public, at church, etc.), wearing your hair in a french twist will keep it out of reach. I know because that's what I did for the month it took to convince my own son that hair pulling was not okay.

A.S.

answers from Dallas on

You are doing the right thing. Wear a ponytail and constantly redirect him. Also, he likes the reaction he gets from it, he enjoys the discovery and learning how his hands work. Also, say "ouch" that hurts, be gentle" and show him how to rub gently. Children don't understand they inflict pain, but learning the words and meanings, they can begin to understand behavior.

So, this is one of the best articles on why it happens and how you can minimize it (though it's mostly geared towards toddler age):

http://www.babycenter.com/0_hair-pulling_11553.bc

(also to Jennifer, pulling hair back, even softly, and swatting the hand will only give the child confusing messages and won't stop the hair pulling long term (or anything else for that matter) because it doesn't teach any other discipline and training behavioral tactics. read the spanking chapter in this book, it can cause a lot of emotional upset and anger...
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0316779032/jamen )

T.C.

answers from Albuquerque on

ponytail. boring, but effective.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions