After some advice! I have a 3.5 year old son who has, since he was old enough to grab, been obsessed with my hair. He used to twirl it while breastfeeding which was my main reason for weaning him at about 18 months but unfortunately it didn't stop the pulling/ twirling, which he continued to do while going to sleep. I know it sounds utterly ridiculous that I've let it go on this long but he has never slept well (still doesn't sleep through) and through desperation I have continued to let him stroke my hair when he wakes in the night. We have had several periods where we have been really firm on it and it has caused distress but he has stopped. But it always seems to creep back in. I have other children who have no sign of this habit! It is so bizarre. He can't sit next to me without his hands going to my hair and I'm so used to it now I often don't even notice until it starts to hurt. I must say the words 'let go of my hair' fifty times a day. So often we have tears at bedtime because I won't let him play with my hair and he wails "but I love it mummy!'
So, after some googling, I discovered there are quite a few sensory toys with the purpose of mimicking hair or somehow designed to meet the same need, whatever that need is. But there seem to be different things and different materials so I thought I would ask if any MNers have any recommendations, or have managed to overcome this habit any other way.
Many thanks in advance!