Toddler pulling fistfuls of his own hair out when angry

[YellowEllis]

When he gets upset and angry (often!) he will sometimes pull out handfuls of his hair, a worrying amount! There's one patch where all the hairs are really short due to this.

What can I do? I obviously stop him when I see it and have to wrench his death grip of his hair but I can't always stop him in time. It's only started in the last week, he'd never done it before them. He's (just) 2.

Please help

Bump

I haven't experienced this with my DC, but my gut instinct is to try not to react to it. Like any other tantrum, try not to reward him by paying too much attention to the undesirable behaviour. I'm sure it's difficult, but you react to it, he is more likely to continue.

If it continues, you might consider a shorter hairstyle. If in doubt, see if you can have a chat with your health visitor.

My DD does this pulls at both sides of her head and is doing it a lot out of frustration! We’ve found instead of saying no sharply or reacting loudly (to which she doesn’t listen!) we gently take her hand and stroke the side of her head and say no ouch, be kind to your head - she sort of stops then. She’s also taken to head butting the floor if she’s angry or frustrated too - the joys of toddlers!