Hair Biting

my 6 year old does the same thing it drives me crazy she will not it all up from chewing on it. I have tried the "I am going to cut it off" but that doesn't work cause she knows I really won't LOL. I have done the ponytail thing which does help and my next step is to spray some hair spray in it so it will taste nasty when she does it. She has been better the last couple days so I haven't had to do it yet maybe just the threat of having the nasty taste was enough we will see what happens. You might try it and let us know what happens.
T.

My mom threatened to cut mine short enough that I couldn't bite it-that was enough for me (I was probably about 7), and continue reminding her.

Hi.

I ate my hair until 3rd grade. I don't remember my parents doing anything about it, but I bit from underneath where it wouldn't show, and I mostly did it at school. I remember having a mouthful and it just being unpleasant one day, so I spit it out and never did it again. You may want to ask your pediatrician because I think it is caused by a nutritional deficiency (iron or calcium, I don't remember which).

My youngest has bitten her nails since before she made a year. This was not a learned behavior since she doesn't see anyone do it. Our ped did blood work (not fun). Her levels were normal, so he said it was probably just boredom. She only does it in the car when she's strapped in the car seat and when she is going to sleep.

Rather than threatening, I'd actually get the hair cut into a bob and also start a good multi vitamin. From what I understand, it takes three weeks of consistent behavior to stop an old or make a new habit. By the time it grows out, she will probably have forgotten about it -unless of course she's being compelled by a nutritional need.

Good luck,
~K.
P.S. - the yukky tasting hair spray sounds like a good idea!

My dr told me that strange habits like that are usually the result of a deficiency in some type of vitamin or other form of nourishment. My problem was eating ice all the time and it was like a vit D deficiency or something like that. Strange I know. There are even people who eat dirt and powdered laundry soap because their bodies are lacking something that those things contain. Maybe ask your dr if there could be something lacking that would cause hair biting. Seems far fetched, but you never know.

Try cutting her hair. Some habits don't change until a person simply can't practice them anymore. I bit my nails until I got braces, then the braces got in the way. By the time the braces came off, I had no interest in biting my nails. Your daughter just may not be aware of what she's doing.

Ok, I don't know your position but I did the same thing when I was a kid. My mom threatened to cut my hair off and when she'd catch me doing it she'd tell me to go get the scissors. Of course I'd throw a fit and I eventually stopped doing it all together. Or you can just keep the hair pulled up so they can't reach.