Babies put their hair in their mouths as part of their natural exploration and development. It's a common behavior driven by several factors.
Sensory Exploration
Between six and twelve months, babies actively explore their world through their senses. Putting hair in their mouth allows them to investigate texture, taste, and even the sensation of something moving in their mouth. This is a crucial part of learning cause and effect; they learn that they can move something (their hair) and feel it in their mouth. They are experimenting and figuring out how the world works.
Self-Soothing
Hair pulling can also be a form of self-soothing behavior. The repetitive motion and the tactile sensation of hair may help calm a baby, especially when they are tired, teething, or feeling overwhelmed.
Teething
During teething phases, babies often put anything they can find in their mouths for comfort and relief from gum pain. Hair can inadvertently become part of this process.
What to Do
While this behavior is usually harmless, it's important to ensure the baby's hair is clean and free of any potential hazards. Trim long hair to reduce the amount that can be ingested. Regular handwashing helps maintain hygiene. However, excessive or aggressive hair pulling warrants consulting a pediatrician to rule out underlying issues.
