Help me not pull a Brittany

[MadamePresident]

Help me not pull a Brittany and shave my head. My daughter has always used my hair as a lovey. She would run her fingers through it when nursing or when I was holding her. As long as I kept it brushed and straightened it doesn't hurt. I didn't really like it, but could deal with it. It was annoying, but not a problem. 

The past couple weeks sure has started grabbing and yanking it really hard. I've tried crying when she does it, but she had no sympathy. I've tried pulling her hair, but she doesn't see the connection. I've tried redirection every time she pulls. I've tried ignoring her. I've tried grabbing her hands and pulling my hair out of her fingers. I've tried talking and using words she knows and understands - ouch,  hurt, sad... Nothing is working. 

Any one have any ideas? I'm ready to just shave it off, but I'm afraid I'm not someone who can pull off the bald look. Plus, I really do like my hair, I think it's one of my best features and it would take me a couple years to get it back to its current length. 

[sjh722]

Can you pull it up in a ponytail or bun for a week or two so she can't grab it?

We are working on "gentle hands" all the time, especially after I have been poked in the eye hard enough TWICE now that my contact lens fell out. It's tough.

[frlcb]

How old is your daughter?

[gingerjar]

I wear my hair in a topknot at all times when at home. Anytime it's down she pulls it when we play and I say "that hurts mommy" and "no pulling." Mostly I just wear it up!

[Deleted]

top bun

[havarti]

My hair is always pulled back around my son. Braids, buns, ponytails.

[MadamePresident]

I've tried ponytails and loose buns, but she will grab at the nape of my neck until she gets some loose. She is 22 months, which I feel is old enough to start understanding things like this.

[lulu21]

My hair is short, like chin length and my son still manages to pull it. I do find when I do west the chew beads they distract him.

[UnderProtest]

Reading the preview, I thought this was going to be about lice. Bun or ponytail seems to be a better option than shaving. Good luck.

[dcn]

I would pull it back.

[mrslisa]

My best friend's daughter did the same thing. She bought her some fake hair. It was kind of gross but it became her lovey and did the trick.

[frlcb]

22 months may be old enough for redirection but I can't imagine that she would get the connection between you pulling her hair and that meaning you want her to stop.

If you don't want to cut it shorter then wear it up.

[Deleted]

My FB babywearing group is all about wide headbands, bandanas, and Buffs with a bun/ponytail. Covers up that nape-of-the-neck issue you're having.

[MadamePresident]

Aug 20, 2014 12:16:13 GMT -5 frlcb said:

22 months may be old enough for redirection but I can't imagine that she would get the connection between you pulling her hair and that meaning you want her to stop.

If you don't want to cut it shorter then wear it up.

I was trying to show her the difference between gentle and ouch. She n is very verbal and can say a lot of words, but I'm not sure she always knows the meaning of words.

[maebyfunke]

W was a crazy hair puller. It helped to redirect his hand to his own hair, which is now his lovey lol. I'm not sure if it was that or if it was just a phase, but he eventually stopped yanking on mine.

I hope you find a solution!

[MadamePresident]

Aug 20, 2014 12:07:13 GMT -5 mrslisa said:

My best friend's daughter did the same thing. She bought her some fake hair. It was kind of gross but it became her lovey and did the trick.

I've actually tried this. When Nods was about 3 months old I cut off enough hair to donate, but hadn't mailed it in. I tried giving it to her, but she wasn't really interested. 

[undecidedowl]

What is it with the hair? DS is obsessed and tries to use it as his main comfort object. I finally gave up on trying to get him to stop grabbing it and taught him that he can hold it but not pull. Anytime he pulled I set him down or moved him away from me. It has sort of worked, but now he just asks to hold it all the time.