Question

Hey ladies.  My almost 5 YO daughter started chewing/sucking on her hair (also shirt sleeves sometimes) about a month ago.Hey ladies. My almost 5 YO daughter started chewing/sucking on her hair (also shirt sleeves sometimes) about a month ago. She has never done it before but I am now finding her doing it all the time. Her teacher even mentioned it to me today at drop off. Any reason for concern? Tips to deter this behavior? I assume it's a self soothing tool, she became a big sister about 7 months ago and theres been lots of adjusting. Thanks!  

Answer 1

All of my kids have done this at some point. I would gently offer them a dry shirt. I would ask J if she wanted her hair in a pony. It would last a few weeks, then resolve. Sometimes return. Self soothing. No need to deter unless it’s severely effecting their functioning/becoming a safety issue.  

Answer 2

My sister chewed her hair when she was little. My parents said she could get Super Nintendo if she cut her hair short. My sister said “deal! ” and got a pixie cut! Problem solved and I got the best end of the deal because of course she had to share the Nintendo with me.  

Answer 3

My oldest son chewed his sleeve at that age - self soothing mechanism. Don’t call too much attention to the behavior. Simply redirect - coloring, beading, braiding, etc. keep hands “busy. ” She can help fold towels at home. At school maybe teacher can let her stack glue sticks at her desk (it was his favorite)at times of self soothing. Check to make sure teeth aren’t bothering her but it sounds like a typical kid behavior. Adults chew pencils, pen caps, etc.  

Comments

Great ideas. Thanks

Answer 4

Maybe you could get her a sensory necklace or something to suck on? I know they have chewy things on cords and pencil toppers for kids who like to bite things, maybe they have something similar for this.  

Comments

Thanks. I just ordered her a few. I didn't know they had those!  

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@sauna glad to help! My son bites his nails so I got him a chewy necklace to see if it would distract him at one point.  

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@disentitle7074 did this help for biting nails? My son bites his to a point where they hurt some days ‍♀️

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@mulley2204 I think it helped a little. He didn’t do it so far that it caused pain but it was annoying. If that doesn’t work for you maybe Ella & Mila nail biting polish could help. It’s vegan and free of many toxins that are in other polishes. A lot of their products can be found at Target.  

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@disentitle7074 ooo thank you! Definitely going to try it!  

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@mulley2204 you’re welcome!  

Answer 5

I'd imagine it's anxiety related. I might do some special mommy and me dates with her or even take her to talk to a counselor about being a big sister if you think that's what might be bothering her. My daughter is 5 and goes to a counselor for her anxiety disorder. I've found it super helpful.  

Comments

Thanks. I'm hoping it's just a temporary issue but will consider this if it continues! She does get mommy and me dates as well as daddy and me dates (and she has gotten a daddy, mommy, and me date where brother stayed home with a sitter). I'm not sure what else we can do there. It's an adjustment for all of us!  

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Definitely. I only have one so I can only imagine the difficulties.  

Answer 6

My son would chew his sleeves, teacher recommended short sleeves. That helped, they were also okay with him chewing gum. That helped allot. It was for comfort

Answer 7

Hi @sauna my daughter did the same thing when she was around that age. Behaviorally it wasn't a big concern, long term. BUT. Her cheek just to the right of her mouth was damp from the constant hair sucking and she developed an skin irritation that then got infected. It eventually cleared up with the help of antibiotics but it left a scar that's still visible today (she's 15). Not super noticeable, bit it's there and probably permanent. If you can pin or pull her hair back so it can't reach her mouth, that might be worth considering. Good luck!