A DD who likes to pull out her hair - Help?

[Diamondgal]

From newborn my dd liked to twirl her hair whilst sucking on two fingers, which I didn't have a problem with. However now she has started pulling out the hair on either side of her head. Its done when she is told off/told no and then sucks her fingers with the clumps of hair caught in her fingers. She looks really strange with bald spots either side of her head and a tail down the back. (I'm getting it cut on tues) But I just wanted some advice on why she does it and how to stop it. She also bangs her head on the floor when told off too. God she sounds weird, but she's a happy girl most of the time. has anyone else experienced the hair pulling out?

My friend's DGD used to do this. For about a year she had bald patches all over her head. She appeared to find it comforting. They tried putting gloves on her hands, but she still managed to pull it out. Eventually, they shaved all of her hair off. It sounds really extreme, and it was a last resort, but it stopped her fingers having any purchase on her hair as it was too short. When it grew back, she didn't touch it, and at 3 now has a lovely bob. This is a more extreme action, but it might be good to keep in mind.

I think she does it to comfort herself too. I think we are going to have to resort to cutting the hair very short so she cant get a hold of it. Thanks, its a relief to know that I'm not alone.

There's a condition called trichotillomania which is hair pulling either from the head or eyelashes or eyebrows ect, but I have no idea if babies can have it.

They might I suppose if the reasons why they do it are there like they would be for an older person.
People usually see as a response to anxiety or depression but more often than not it's a self comfort thing and it becomes a habit, like nail biting.

However I would have a word with your HV if she only seems to do at times when she may be stressed.
But a word of advice, if your HV seems horrified by it don't take much notice as not everyone will know exactly what it is and what it means IYSWIM.

We battled for a couple of years with it.

We were getting hairs out in hte nappies.

Both my DTDs did it. With DTD1 we were able to break the cycle early with a fluffy tailed animal to substitue her hair. DTD2 was much harder to crack.

She had large bald patches either side of her head.

Eventually we clipped her to a number 2 (she was about 3). It broke my heart but it worked and I have absolutely no regrets now. We thought we were going to have to keep her hair at No2 length for a few months to break the cycle - but once was enough. We gave her a frilled blankie as a substitute (having realised the stuffed toy was a bad idea as one vomiting bug and the toy ends up in toy heaven). It soon grew back.

Having said that she does still pull some out juding by the state of my car mats. I think it is a boredom thing for her. She is 7 now.

Message withdrawn

Thanks for advice. I think a sharp haircut is in order and I like the idea of the blankie etc. I will also give HV a call too.
Ta again ladies

Try a compteting activity ie give her something to do with her hands that she can't pull her hair out at the same time - squeezing a squeaky toy etc. Its probably a comforting habit she's got into so cutting her hair will break the habit and if she finds something else to squeeze or cuddle as well (like a blanket) that should help