Grandson Always Has A Habit Of Twirling Hair. How To Get Rid Of It?

Posted on Fri, 13 Dec 2013

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 13 Dec 2013 Answered on

Tue, 31 Dec 2013 Last reviewed on

Question : My 4 year old grandson's hair got a little long, and he started twirling it. He had always twirled it when falling asleep but started doing it 24/7. We got into the hairdresser and his hair is his normal short length now (not buzz but boy short) and he is still twirling essentially non-stop. Should we be concerned, ignore it, or what? We have suggested the kids may make fun of him at preschool if he does not tone it down a little, and he seems to consciously try to do so right after we say that, but within 30 seconds he is back at it. He is a happy, funny, smart child but I AM worried that it will make social problems for him.

Answered by Dr. Synthyia Bhagat (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer: relax Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. I understand your concern. Such kind of behavior is sometimes seen in toddlers and it is normal. I suggest you to do following things. -ignore him when he is doing this but try to engage him in some kind of constructive activity like playing with blocks. -spend time with him as sometimes loneliness also increase such activities. -do not scold him as it will potentiate his behavior -reward him for not doing this by taking him out for ride/playing with him/telling stories/giving him his favourite food or toy. With time his habit will go.. Hope I have answered your query,let me know if you have any further question. Wishing your child good health. God bless...

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar