Hi, thanks everyone who replied, especially kath2740, because I haven't come across anyone else who has even *had* this problem. I have thought of dolls, and he used to have a baby doll that he used as a lovey, but she didn't have rooted hair, I think. I had just noticed him fascinated by baby dolls at the church nursery, and I asked him if he would like one, and he said yes.

Sadly, I think some child at day care must have been making fun of him, because a few weeks ago I heard him saying, "I'm a *boy*; I not play with dolls!" BTW, Bobby is a big, muscular child that no one is going to mistake for a girly boy, so his fixation on babies seemed kind of sweet.

Anyway, back to dolls. One reason I haven't gone this route sooner is that he was also picking the mane out of a stuffed pony he had, and he was chewing it, and then he was pulling the stuffing out of its tail and chewing that. He has a big, long-haired teddy that he sometimes pulls the hair on and puts it in his mouth. I worry about him getting longer synthetic fibers in his intestinal tract, but will try to find an appropriate doll or stuffy.

I will follow up on all your suggestions. I think I also want to revisit weighted blankets.

Take care,

Maggie