How many times should I wash my baby’s/child’s hair?
Ideally you should wash your baby’s/child’s African textured hair not more than once a week. The reason for this is that the kinks and coils present in each strand of African textured hair makes it somewhat difficult for oils and hair moisturizers to travel through and get absorbed in to the strands. In addition, coily hair is more susceptible to damage from harsh ingredients. Such ingredients as Sodium Laureth Sulfate, present in most baby wash and shampoo product, has the potential to strip your child’s delicate strands of its natural oils and of moisture. Therefore washing your child’s hair each bath time, can strip away the natural oils of the scalp and leave the hair dry, brittle and frizzy.
My baby was born with a full head of hair but now everything has fallen off, what do I do?
Some babies may lose their birth hair within the first year and this is perfectly normal. Therefore you need to verify that this hair loss is not biological, because if it is, there is actually a great chance that your little one will sport a full head of hair by the second birthday.
However if you feel that the hair loss is the result of poor hair care methods, you can just begin to care for the hair a lot better. Invest in quality products and learn how to give your little one a scalp massage using a hair growth oil of your choice. Scalp massages are great because they stimulate the hair follicles and encourage restorative hair growth.
At what age do I start styling my baby’s hair?
A baby’s scalp is very tender, so it is very imperative that you not style his or her hair for the first twelve months. Thus it is best to always leave your baby’s hair in a simple afro style. However if your child’s African textured hair is very thick and full, and you notice that your baby’s hair is getting too long to be left in afro, you can begin to put it in single strand twists or braids.
Is Shea Butter (or Coconut Oil) enough to keep my child’s hair moisturized?
Shea Butter and Coconut Oil have emollient properties, which is useful for sealing moisture in the hair, but they do not impart the moisture level needed for the African hair texture. Moisturizers are water-based or creamy conditioners that can be applied to the hair with or without the need for rinsing them out. You need a combination of water, moisturizer and oil or butter to keep your child’s hair moisturized.
What type of products do I need to care for my baby’s hair?
If your child is still very young, for example under twelve months, you can get a wide tooth comb, leave in conditioner, hair growth oil, and a mild tear free shampoo to care for her hair. You will also need to get satin headrests to prevent hair loss at the back of your baby’s head. When your child above twelve months, you can include a deep conditioner, and the use of satin bonnets to your child’s hair regimen.
Why does my baby have a bald spot/line at the back of her head?
This is called infant balding which is a result of the harsh materials that rub against that back of your baby’s head. For example, cotton pillowcases, the harsh material of the car seat and bouncer etc. These suck up the moisture in those areas and expose the hair at the back to dryness and breakage. To prevent this, you need to get a satin head rest which will provide a delicate and silky-soft landing for the back of your child’s head.
