How to stop 8mo pulling on ear

[DigiSam]

I need ideas on how to stop my 8mo DD from pulling on her ear.

She does it when she's tired so not worried about infection etc.

Problem is she now has a scar on the top of her ear - where it attaches to scalp - that won't heal, just going bit crusty but looks quite deep. Looked like it was getting better but this morning looked much worse.

I've tried scratch mitts - she just takes it off, same with a headband.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Did it just eventually heal?

Little cotton bonnet?

Mind, if she can get scratch mitts off, she would probably get a hat off too! She sounds like a clever little girl!

Maybe try substituting with a comforting object? DS used to rip my hair out and wrap it around his dummy so I can empathise with weird soothing behaviours. It took a few tries, but we found a blanket with a long-ish fringe he could swirl around his face. He's 8 now and still likes to swirl his clothes or hair around his face.

What about one of those ear flappy hats (like Elmer Fudd's 😂)? She could pull on the flaps then.

Oo nice ideas, I'll give them a go. She does have an "Elmer Fudd" hat 😂 and a bonnet.

I hope they help her poor sore ear. Only put them on when you are staying with her though, don't leave her alone or sleeping in them.

Could try either rubbing her ear for her (without pulling) or letting her pull your ear? Just to let it heal, clearly not a long term solution.

Are you really sure she doesn't have problems with her ears? My son had glue ear and pulled his ears a lot.

My daughter did this when she was younger. Whenever she was upset she pulled on her ear. She did grow out of it though, I think around that sort of age.

Good thought whattodo, brought her to the GP yesterday to double check her ears. All good. They gave us some emollient.

So far just pulling the hats off so not risking the bonnet.

Last night just tried to distract her when I saw her do it which seemed quite successful.

Hopefully she'll grow out of it soon.