A Baby Develops a Potentially Dangerous Habit

My 1-year-old granddaughter has some habits I don't understand! Anything she gets ahold of, she puts behind and around her neck, which is worrisome when it’s something like a cord. She'll hang a camera by the strap around her neck, and she continuously tugs at her little shirts or tops.

What might we do to help?

What a fascinating observation—I am not sure I understand your child's behavior either! Perhaps she is imitating adults around her as they dress, putting on a scarf or a tie, or as they shoulder a pocketbook.

Perhaps she tugs on her shirts and tops when the labels at the back of her neck scratch her. Children who are hypersensitive to touch are often bothered by these labels, and even when they are able to speak, they don't necessarily let anyone know.

Don't try to stop her in either of these behaviors, for your attention to her at these times might just reinforce them. But be sure that she doesn't have access to anything that she could strangle herself with, especially when in her crib.

Can you offer her a lovey (a special doll or teddy bear) when she begins this behavior, so she can turn to the lovey instead of straps or cords? Or try making a big, loose, paper chain with strips of paper attached at the ends and linked to each other. She can ceremoniously put this special necklace around her neck to replace the dangerous ones she comes across. Make sure that it is easily breakable. She'll be safe, and you'll be busily employed until she gets wise to your tricks!

© Copyright 2012. All rights reserved by Joshua Sparrow MD and T. Berry Brazelton MD.
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Photo credit: Insieme/Fulvia Farassino

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Responses to questions are not intended to constitute or to take the place of medical or psychiatric evaluation, diagnosis or treatment. If you have a question about your child’s health or well-being, consult your child’s health-care provider.

(Dr. T. Berry Brazelton heads the Brazelton Touchpoints Project, which promotes and supports community initiatives for families. Dr. Joshua Sparrow, a child psychiatrist, is director of Special Initiatives at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center. Learn more about the center at www.touchpoints.org.)