My son and his hair pulling! Attention seeking?

Question

He pulls all of our hair, which used to be cute, but now that he is 1 yr old, it hurts so badly and he pulls out hair. When I posted this questions yeterday others said he is seeking attention. Does this mean we don't give him enough attention?

Answer 1

my daughter used to do the same... just keep telling him "no, ____, thats not a nice thing to do" and discipline him for doing it. The fact that ya'll let him go that long in doing that, might be kind of hard to break him.

Answer 2

I am sure that he is receiving enough attention from you.  It is probably just that he still thinks that he will get a response from you like he did when he was younger.  It will probably just take some time for him to understand that it is not okay.

Answer 3

he probably likes the reaction and because you thought it was cute he thinks he is allowed. It is nothing to do with attention seeking. It is just that he likes the reaction of people. Say a loud NO! and put him down everytime he does it. Before to long he will stop as he will no longer like that he is put down and walked away from.

Answer 4

Could your child have a disability? Does he understand what is being said when he is told no? I hope I'm not offending you by asking these questions. When he pulls peoples hair does he laugh or show any emotion? Does he do typical age appropiate things? When pulls hair you can try redirecting him. When he pulls hair is it out of the blue or when he is frustrated? You may need to talk with your pediatrician if this continues to find out what else can be done. I have a child who has autism and although I'm not saying your child does I have been around many children with this disability and they may do what is considered inappropiate but thats when you redirect them to do something else. You all can show him how to stroke your hair by taking his hand and have him stroke his own hair while you do yours. I'm not sure if tugging his hair would be appropiate as he wouldnt understand. Good Luck to you

PS For Miss Coffee if you had read my comment correctly I did not say her child has a disability I was merely asking questions to be more informed. I dont know why anyone would give thumbs down for me asking questions it makes no sense but whatever... Some ppl may think pulling on a 1 year olds hair is a bit brash because they still may be too young to undesrstand. I asked questions to get a better idea about what causes the child to pull hair. I never knew of a baby pulling hair besides when their being held and maybe their startled so they grab hold of something but not to yank it. How long ago did the child pull hair since he/she is 1 and how long was it a problem?

Answer 5

Some kids get plenty of attention but still want more - it all depends on the child's personality.

Answer 6

He is doing it because it use to be cute. You need to tell him no each time and let him know he hurt you. If all else fails pull his hair, not hard of course but enough so he feels it. And no if a child does things for attention it does not always mean you are not giving him enough attention. Children thrive on attention (as do a lot of adults LOL) and at his age he just wants to find ways to get your attention when it is not focused on him. It is something a child has to learn, because up until he was 1 most of his waking time was spent with attention on him. As he gets older 1+ it is important for them to learn to play on their own (for a while not all day). You are doing fine, a lot of kids go through these things. Just be consistent in your discipline what ever it may be. False threats will set you back miles with a child of any age.

And your child does not have a disability because he pulls hair. It takes every child a while to listen to the word no.