11 month old pulling others hair

[Rain1975]

Hi all

My 11 month old daughter is a hair puller and I am really unsure of what to do about it. We attend a few groups with babies of similar age and have other mums and babies over to ours and visit them. After a while of playing she invariably grabs a hand full of the nearest babies hair and gives it a good yank. This causes tears, mums swooping in to comfort their child and my DD sat there looking confused. I tell her no and try distracting her when I can see her little hand reaching out which sometimes works but I don't catch every incident. She can be sat next to another baby happily playing for a while and then suddenly tears. I can't relax and chat as I feel awful that my dd is making others cry.

I'm sure she isn't doing it to be mean but her antics have been described as 'spiteful' which just makes me want to cringe. One of the Mums said "Don't sit near DD she will make you cry" which made me angry, sad and embarrassed at the same time.

How do I tackle this? When she pulls my or DH hair we say 'Not hair' and put her on the floor. She is a friendly little thing and seems to enjoy going to groups but I feel really awful about the hair pulling.

How do other people discipline their crawlers? Do I need to do my best to keep an eye on her and accept that this is how babies interact? DD gets pulled, pushed and hit etc by other babies but doesn't bat an eyelid.

Any advice is very welcome

My DS went through a similar phase and that's what it was a 'phase' and he grew out of it. We did exactly what you are doing and eventually he got the message. It's not 'spiteful' at this age and I can't stand Mums, like the one you overheard, who think their child is an angel and make you feel awful for your 11 months behaviour - she's still a baby!
I must admit that I did avoid play groups for a few weeks. It was worse when DS was tired. Sorry I can't be of more help than to ride it out - but you are not alone!

dd4 has a bit of a hair fascination, and can go from stroking to grabbing a handful. or she did, she doesnt do it so much soon.

there isnt much you can do apart from no and disraction, which u are doing.

ignore the other mums, their little ones will be doing the same soon, or pinching, biting etc.

Sorry its taken a while to thank you for your comments, I kind of knew that she wasn't being naughty or mean but she is my first and it doesn't take a lot to knock my confidence.

Spent a couple of hours with a more relaxed friend and her baby at the weekend and we took it in turns moving little hands and fingers from hair, eyes etc At one point there was simultaneous hair pulling.

Off to baby group this afternoon with my new found mumsnet confidence and my lovely, cheeky little girl.

Thanks again

Just an update, DD is now two weeks past her first birthday and is no longer hair pulling. She has discovered noses now and likes to poke her fingers up the nearest nostril.