Playing with mom's hair to soothe sleep
Toddler: Methods to help your toddler drift off to sleep alone
Q: My 2½ -year-old soothes himself by playing with my long hair. I don’t mind it when we’re cuddling, but now he won’t fall asleep without me (and my hair) right beside him. How can I get him to bed on his own?
A: Hair twirling is a common soothing method for many children, but when it’s your hair, it can drive you crazy. Tie your hair back so it’s not as accessible. Tell him you will stay to cuddle, and that he hasn’t done anything bad, but your hair is now off limits. Your partner (who probably doesn’t have long hair) could try putting your son to bed every other night, which will encourage other self-soothing tools, such as playing with his own hair or snuggling up to a lovey. Give it three nights — after that he’ll find something else to help him drift off to sleep.
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What do you think?
TracyKM (not verified) says ....
My youngest was this way. It was driving me crazy, so I went to the dollar store and bought hair pieces that were the same colour as my hair. I would hold it in my hair and guide her towards it, then gradually she would just hold the fake hair piece on it's own. Although I was pleased to have my head back, LOL, carrying this ratty looking fake hair around everywhere was a little embarassing. She lost the last one on a walk at the grandparents at 13 months and although it meant a LONG car ride home (4 hours) I was glad to be done with it, and she still had her pacifier and blankie.