Fact-checked and medically reviewed to ensure accuracy.
Toddlers love their weird habits.
But some habits, like hair twirling, might give you pause.
What is hair twirling?
Before bedtime or during times of stress, some toddlers develop a ritual of twirling their hair.
Hair twirling falls into the category of self-soothing activities, likehead banging, hair pulling,thumb suckingand rocking.
Why do toddlers twirl their hair?
It’s their way of taking things down a notch.
This self-soothing behavior can also serve your toddler’s coping mechanism for dealing with stressors in her life.
And some toddlers twirl their hair simply because they’re bored.
However, hair twirling alone without any other symptoms does not equal a diagnosis.
The good news: This damage isn’t permanent, as long as your kid can kick the habit.
It will just take some time to re-grow.
Assess for stress
Fight stress with love.
Redirect
Give your child a different outlet for her pent-up energy.
Gift your tot a shaggy stuffed animal to wrestle with so she can relieve her pent-up stress.
Little kids find comfort in the predictability of a regular bedtime routine.
Try a new hairstyle
A shorter haircut (think pixie!)
may be a lot less tempting to twirl.
If your tot has already damaged her hair, this is also a good way to even everything out.
