6 Month Old Pulling My hair...owch!

Updated on May 06, 2008
M.B. asks from Whittier, CA
5 answers

My six month old has taken to pulling my hair...and it hurts! I have grabbed his hand and issued a firm NO as well as lightly squeezing his hand or fingers and saying NO. the first few times he was startled but hair pulling continues. He really enjoys riding in an infant backpack but the hair pulling is an issue! I wear my hair in a bun and often under a cap but he still manages to grab some hair at some point! Help!

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So What Happened?

Many thanks to you all for your suggestions. Although Willie still tries at times to pull my hair, I can see him thinking about it before he does it. The firm no and squeezing of his fingers when he does it seems to be working. I also added a wrist rattle to the back pack and a ribbon(per suggestion) to the backpack while we are hiking around. I greatly appreciate your suggestions and am implementing a few of them. THANKS!

More Answers

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B.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

First of all, a 6 month old shouldn't be in a backpack. A front carrier is much better, and he won't pull hair. I hate front carriers, too, because they (as well as backpacks) put all of the baby's weight onto their lower spine- I prefer slings and wrap carriers, but that's just me. Also, you can say no and squeeze all you want but it's probably not going to make a difference. A 6 month old doesn't have quite the grasp of cause and affect to understand this. However, if you continue to do it he will eventually grasp it. In the mean time, put your hair in a pony tail- hair pulling is just something babies do!

1 mom found this helpful
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T.K.

answers from Los Angeles on

My son who is now 2 1/2 LOVED to do that when he was that age, but don't worry, your son will outgrow it too. I have a 6 month old now also, and when I put him in bed with me in the early a.m. hours, he likes to pull my hair as soon as he wakes up. I just lay there and try to ignore him so he will go back to sleep, often with no luck, so I end up just rolling over and kissing him.
I know it is irritating for now, but it won't be long before something else will fascinate him and the habit will be dropped, don't worry. He is just exploring what's around him and learning how to use his hands and fingers, he doesn't realize he is bothering you! Hang in there :)

1 mom found this helpful
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J.M.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm in agreement with Tausha K. Your son isn't doing this to be mean,or aggresive,he is exploring,and enjoying feeling and touching,and your hair is an easy target.toddlers also have been known, to bite when they hurt from teething, or don't feel well. They don't know what to do with some of their feelings of pain at that young age.He will grow out of it,remember,the No word can be over-used.Try distraction,or getting his mind on something else,rather than drilling him with (NO NO NO) It becomes repetitive,and after a few years, (No) means nothing..It will go through one ear and out the other. The very best to you.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter is six months old and she loves to pull hair too. She's too heavy for me to carry on our walks any more; she's in a stroller now. She prefers to play with my hair while she's nursing!

Last night she had on a sweater that tied closed with a satin ribbon. She chewed on the ribbon the whole time we walked the dogs. Maybe you can try pinning a ribbon to your hat or the back of your collar so he has something to play with and pull on besides your hair?

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from San Diego on

Hey M., slap his hand when you tell him no, don't slap it hard, just enough for him to feel a little discomfort, thats how I taught my babies not to touch things. J.

1 mom found this helpful
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