Looking for Advice on Stopping Daughter from Twirling Her Hair.

My niece used to do that when she was about 2 or 3. My sister-in-law bought her a hair extension thingy that you put on a ponytail, and my niece carried it around with her. SIL also bought her a really nice doll with long hair, and my niece twirled Dolly's hair instead of her own.

Both doll and "wiggy" were the same color hair as my niece's. Wiggy was weird, and Dolly's hair got ratty really quickly, but they worked.

I don't know if this will help since it's a nighttime thing but my daughter used to chew her hair when she was bored. So I told her evry time I caught her doing it, I got to pick her hairstyle for the next day. Then if I caught her a second time that same day, the next day I would also pick her outfit. She asked me what would happen the third time and i just said "you don't want to know". Anyways, she was all about picking her own style, so it ended really quickly after that.
I saw that someone suggested a string or necklace. I wouldn't recomend that at night, but the idea is good. What about a special little blankie type thing that she can hold and twist all she wants safely at night?

Hi M.. I too, am a hair twirler, and it started for me when I was very young. Thankfully, I don't pull my hair out, but I still like twirling my hair and I'm 36! The only time in my life I can remember not twirling my hair was when it was cut too short to get a hold of it, like a short pixie cut. I once saw a documentary about trichotillomania, which is what they call it. Some people have it so severely that they will experience baldness as a result. I don't think there is a cure all that works for everybody, but try to do a little research or even consult your doctor about this condition. I think there are a variety of ways to help cope with this compulsive behavior. Good luck!

my name is ericka, im 26 years old, and i am a hair twirler.

the WORST thing you can do is try to force your daughter to stop this.

the BEST thing you can do is to cut her hair short until shes old enough to be nice to her hair. this meant that i had a bob until i was 8 or something. :P i would twirl it until i cut the circulation off my finger.

and still, even today, i twirl my hair when im bored, relaxing, whatever. its some sort of comfort, and i really like doing it. i cant explain it, it just happens.
its possible to twirl short hair, but its not as possible to cause any trouble from it.

anyway, i reassure you mom, this is normal, and healthy behavior, no harm will come from this, i swear. :D just keep her hair cut shorter until shes older and she can deal with it better or something. just please please dont force her to stop! that will only make it worse and she will just do it when you arent around.

the less attention you pay to it, the easier it will be for her. perhaps when she starts doing it, ask her if shes hungry, thirsty, bored, tired.... and do appropriate things. distract her with an art project or something. at night time, you really cant do much, shes going to do it. just dont let her feel like its something bad, its not. :D

ok! if you have any questions please write to me. again, i twirled my hair from a young age, and i still do it, nothing bad ever happened to me because of it. mom just made sure my hair was short until i could take care of it myself, or something. :D

Hi M.,

I would suggest giving her a special doll or blanket that is soft and she could finger to soothe herself to sleep. Unfortunately, I don't know if that will take care of the problem, as I am 34 and still twirl my hair. My mom said I've done it ever since I had hair. I never pulled it, though. I do it usually when I'm tired, bored, or relaxing. I sometimes twirl while I read, while I'm sitting at a stoplight, talking on the phone, watching TV... Not every time I do each of these things, but once in a while.

Since your daughter is actually pulling out her hair, I'd consult her pediatrician for some suggestions. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

C.

The repetition of the twirling and the sensation of the hair in her hands is likely soothing to your daughter. You might try a blanket with the silky trim- a lot of kids like to rub the silky edging, or those blankets with the silky tags around the sides. I have also had luck in the past with stuffed animals or dolls with longer, soft fur or hair. Since your daughter is 5, I would tell her what you want her to try to do when you introduce the replacement. You may need to sit with her for a few evenings at bedtime and give her the replacement when you notice that she is starting to twirl her hair. Good luck.

You could try giving her a string or a necklace to twirl instead. I have found that replacing a behavior with something more acceptable is a good way to transition a child away from a habit.

Hi M.,

I wish I had a great fix for you, but unfortunately I am in the same situation. My 2 1/2 year old has been doing this pretty much since she had enough hair to do it with. I don't have a problem if it was just hair twirling but mine will actually pull on it and sometimes get her hair so wound tight to her finger that it will get stuck. A few times I have heard her yelling from her bedroom and thankfully I was nearby and went in. Her hair was so tight on her finger that her finger was actually turning blue. I just noticed this morning when putting her hair in two pony tales (she doesn't usually let me do that) that the hair on one side of her head is more sparse and shorter on that side. So she must be wearing the ends off. - So unfortunately I can't give you any great answers. But I did read up on children's bad habits online and it did mention hair twirling. It can be either because of stress or to calm and relax. So far my daughter seems to do it when she is tired so I think it must be soothing to her although pulling on my hair is the last thing that would sooth me. I also heard that when they are younger it isn't such a big deal but it can be habit forming later on in life. So they recommend trying to replace this behavior with a different one. I haven't really tried anything yet. Surprisingly enough when she had her pacifier she actually would do the hair twirling much more than she does now without the pacifier which really surprised me since I would have thought she would do it more. I guess if she is just twirling and not pulling I wouldn't worry too much about it but you could ask your doctor or look online for more information. Just Google “hair twirling in children” and I am sure you are going to find something.

If you end up finding a great cure I would love to hear about it. – If you think of it email me at: ____@____.com

Good Luck,
M.

I am a 35yr. old that still twirls my hair. It is a bad habit for only one reason it does wreck your hair. I do it when I am nervous, bored, and tired. Maybe have your hairdresser talk to your daughter. Sorry I have no other suggestions.

I am a mother of a 7 yr. old girl and 11 yr. old boy.

Just cut her hair very short