Advice for Hair-pulling 18-Mo Old?

Sounds like he is very interested in hair and its texture. Maybe you could get him a doll with hair for him to explore or a horse with hair for its mane. Take a look around a good toy store and you are sure to find something. Maybe he could take his new toy to play group or maybe after a few days thoroughly exploring the hair he will be done with this phase. Use the toy to show him gentle ways to explore the hair. Or suggest that they make hats at play group so everyone's head is covered.

Hi M.,
Can I just say you are doing wonderful things with your son to teach him, don't doubt yourself. This is a phase and most kids go through this and biting. The only thing I would suggest is that you tell him the next time he pulls mommy's hair, you are going to pull his so he can see it hurts. You may have to repeat it a couple times... I have no doubt he understands what the hurt sign is (I LOVE BABY SIGN) but he isn't connecting the pain you are feeling and the action he is doing on a personal level. Plus hair is just too fun. Help him see what it feels like so he can have a personal understanding.

Good luck, it really is a phase he will grow out of. You are doing a fantastic job
H. P

Some moms may not agree but with seven kids you learn not all methods work for each kid, most of them I could explain to them that that hurt, and use no, but 2 of them just though it was fun and games, so when they pulled my hair one day and had had enough I told them no that hurts mommy and pulled thier hair back and said " see that hurts, no pulling hair" after about 2 trys they quit, I have had to apply the "bite" back also with a few of my kids, never any fun but it does work were all else fails.You don't want to cause actuall pain but enough discomfort that your point gets across, Good luck!!

I agree with Connie the most, except for one detail. In our home we also do timeouts. We have a designated area for them. The reason I would personally avoid the Pack N Play is because usually that is a place for play or rest...so you don't want it to also be a punishment place. You want that to remain on being an area of rest or play. We picked a neutral area so that it isn't an area of interest. That way our little ones are there to think about what they did to deserve a time out and they aren't confused on whether it is a play time or timeout time. Good luck

I would suggest time outs - 1 minute as he is 1 years old. Put him in a pack n play and say you hurt me that's bad now time out and walk away. Use only a few words and leave him by himself. With other kids remove your son and give empathy to the other kid. That way he doesn't get attention for bad behevior. If you are consistent it will break the habit. Expect to see it if he is having a really bad day - that's when all our bad habit show! :)