Security items

[SassyMummy]

I hear about babies getting attached to different items (blankets, toys etc) to feel secure and safe...but I think my daughter (8.5 months) is attached to something which isn't an "item".

MY HAIR!

Or rather...anyone's hair. So long as she is pulling on it, she's happy. When she's tired moreso than anything...in order to fall asleep (for naps...not bed-time) she MUST be holding onto hair.

It's getting more and more difficult for me...DP has short hair, so does my mother. They are the 2 other people that try to settle her. THerefore, it's left up to me and my hair (or really awkward neck positions from DP).

If my hair is up, she will SCREAM when she's tired because she cannot get my hair - but as soon as I take it out, she grabs on and falls asleep within an instant!

My question is - WHAT TO DO?! How do I get her UNattached to it? Could I possibly get her a doll (with woollen hair perhaps) which she can pull on instead. It'd make it much easier for me (and more comfortable).

Any ideas?

[Briannabear]

Ahhh! My little brother went through this! His 'thing' was that he had to go to sleep twirling his finger through someones hair.
No word of a lie you'd end up with dreadlocks! :eek:
It got to the point where mum and I had to tie our hair back in a bun tightly so he couldnt get his fingers in when we put him to bed. He threw major tantrums but he got over it eventually! We insisted on giving him a fluffy teddy.
He's 10 now and would be mortified to think that I remember - or worse, that Im telling someone!! :D

[Funkychicken]

My first two didn't seem to attach themselves to anything but Hamish is already showing signs of being attached to a cloth nappy (clean!). When I put him down to sleep I pop a nappy against the side of his head (helps to keep the dummy in) and he has started grabbing it and pulling it over his face. At firat I thought it was accidental but if i don't put it there he gets cranky until I do. He seems to like draping it across his cheek. It's very cute....:p

[Jinx]

My 3 1/2yr old DS is rather attached to my lips!! Yes my lips. Right from when he was a very little bubba, he just loved playing with them - especially if he was upset - most of the time it was the only way I could get him to go to sleep.

I tried on many occassions to replace them with other items - toys, blankets etc - but nothing worked so I just put up with it. Sometimes it annoyed me and sometimes I enjoyed it but he only does it occassionally now and I think I will actually miss it when he stops doing it all together!!

[~MUMMY~]

my son was exactly the same and still is... but i had enough too some years back and wasnt willing to lay with him every nap time so he could play with my hair so anyways he became attached to this teddy with a ribbon around its neck and now he twirls that through his fingers or his own hair....