Trichologist Dr. Kari Williams is a fan of Baby and Blog and has agreed to answer your hair questions as they arrive! If you have a baby/child hair related question that you want answered, email leila@babyandblog.com and I will pass it along! Here’s a question from Nikkia in Alabama. 

I would like to know what to use to moisturize my 1 year old’s hair. I’ve tried everything from Blue Magic grease, Pink Oil lotion and olive oil and it still stays dry… Please help.

Dr. Kari;

Your child’s hair is still dry because everything you are currently putting on their hair is only lubricating the strands and not giving the hair any moisture. Lubrication refers to the use of oils that coat the strand and seal in moisture. Water and water-based products are necessary to moisturize the hair. When shampooing choose moisturizing shampoos, and depending on the texture and density of your child’s hair, combing a conditioner through her hair will help to restore the moisture balance of her strands. Eliminate the use of the pink oil lotion and blue magic grease and stick to more simple lubricants like coconut oil. Coconut oil is an emollient (moisturizer) and the molecules are small enough to penetrate the hair shaft and assist in softening the hair. If you are local, I would be happy to consult with you in person so that I can physically examine your child’s hair. In the meantime, try these suggestions.

Mommies, how do you moisturize your little one’s hair?

Dr. Kari Williams is a Trichologist and Licensed Stylist. She is the owner of Mahogany Hair Revolution in Beverly Hills. She teaches Mahogany Baby Workshops for parents and is the author of the E-book Mini Tresses. For more information visit:www.drkariwilliams.com

Запись How Do I Moisturize My 1-Year-Old’s Perpetually Dry Hair? впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

My 5 month old has ALOT of hair which is really thick. I didn’t want to start styling it as I was worried about putting too much stress on her hair and scalp. However I have recently started to braid it as there is so much of it and it was just getting knotty. My question is is it ok to continue to braid and cornrow her hair or is it better for her if its loose?

Also she has an extremely dry patch of hair in the middle that will not be moisturised with olive oil, coconut oil or Shea butter. I moisturise it daily to no avail and only wash her hair once a week with a sulphate free shampoo (original sprout). Any suggestions?

Dr. Kari;

Your little one is absolutely adorable! I would recommend that you refrain from braiding and cornrowing her hair. At this age, the hair and scalp is so fragile and you do not want to cause any permanent hair loss or damage to the hair follicle. Instead, twist her hair in the same pattern you do the braids to prevent the knotting. The dry patch in her scalp is probably a seborrhea patch caused by the excessive production of sebum (the natural oily substance our scalps produce). An infant’s scalp produces a lot of sebum the first 3-6 months and then it normalizes. The oils wont help because its not dry scalp. It should normalize very soon, so I would encourage you to be patient. If you notice it does not go away in the next couple of months or there are signs of hair loss in the area, I recommend you see your pediatrician.

Mommies, how did you manage your child’s hair during infancy?

Dr. Kari Williams is a Trichologist and Licensed Stylist. She is the owner of Mahogany Hair Revolution in Beverly Hills. She teaches Mahogany Baby Workshops for parents and is the author of the E-book Mini Tresses. For more information visit:www.drkariwilliams.com

Запись Will Cornrowing or Braiding My 5-Month-Old’s Hair Cause Damage? впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

by Shaunic of Brown Girls Hair

Every little girl loves to play in Mommy’s clothes, shoes and jewelry. She loves to watch Mom put on her make up and comb her hair. She’s looking at you and dreaming of the day when she will be able to do it too!

We all know that our children learn best by watching what we do, not what we say. The first step to teaching your daughter how to care for her hair is to establish good hair habits with your hair first. She’s always watching you, even when you aren’t paying attention.

1. Start early teaching her what to do at bath and bed time.

I started teaching my daughter to wear a shower cap at bath time at the age of 4. This is a great age because you don’t have to worry too much about her putting it in her mouth and choking on it. You still have to keep an eye on her because it is plastic and she is in a tub of water. Parental supervision is always needed when plastic and water is involved.

Once she gets out of the tub, switch from a shower cap immediately to a satin bonnet. After she does it consistently for a while, it will become second-nature!

Just like you create a routine for your hair, create one for your daughter too. Not just the one that you do on her hair, but also take the time to create a simple one for her to do as well.

2. As early as 5 or 6, you can start teaching her to moisturize her hair depending on the thickness and/length of her hair.

A child with long and thick hair may have more of a challenge with this task. So you may need to wait until your child becomes a little older and more patient. Always start by keeping the process easy and fun! If she doesn’t think it’s a fun tasks to do, wait until she does!

You can start with a simple method like putting her hair in 4 sections, then show her how to put the moisturizer in the palm of her hand, rub it in her hands, then apply it to her hair from root to end one section at a time.

Give her one very small portion of a section to start with. As she grows more comfortable over time, add more to her section. Keep increasing her portion (as time goes). For example, this week she does one small section and next week add a little more to her section etc.

Mommies, how do you teach your children to care for their hair?

Запись How I Taught My Daughter to Care for Her Natural Hair from Birth впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Trichologist Dr. Kari Williams is a fan of Baby and Blog and has agreed to answer your hair questions as they arrive! If you have a baby/child hair related question that you want answered, email leila@babyandblog.com and I will pass it along! Here’s our first question…

As my son’s hair is growing out I pull it back several times a week into a bun to keep the lint from getting into it (he’s rolling around the floor alot during the day), but I noticed that his hairline seems to be somewhat fragile. I don’t know if it’s because of the pulling, or just that it’s new. I’m afraid of doing semi-permanent damage.

Dr Kari:

The majority of cases of traction alopecia I have diagnosed are a result of styling choices made in childhood by parents or guardians. If you are pulling your child’s hair back into pony tails, braids or using headbands and you notice thinning around the hair line—-STOP.

Based on the life cycle of hair, the first 5-7 years of your child’s life can have a significant impact on their hair for the rest of their lives. This is the best time to shape and support healthy growing patterns. Any harmful hair care techniques applied in this stage can cause permanent damage to your little one’s hair.

I cannot highlight this point enough. Early perms, relaxers, and rough handling can cause the kind of damage that will prevent your child’s hair from ever reaching its full potential, its full thickness, and full length. Pony-tails and braids pulled too tightly along with extensions can, and likely will, damage your child’s hair in the first five years.

The best thing to do in those first few years is to choose styles that allow the hair to grow free of tension and stress. These styles include double strand twists, individual braids and cute afros tied back with ribbons or headbands. Just make sure the headbands and ribbons are not tied or pulled too tightly. Remember- tension-free styles will provide the best results in preserving your child’s hair as they progress into adulthood.

Dr. Kari Williams is a Trichologist and Licensed Stylist. She is the owner of Mahogany Hair Revolution in Beverly Hills. She teaches Mahogany Baby Workshops for parents and is the author of the E-book Mini Tresses. For more information visit: www.drkariwilliams.com

Запись Will Pulling Back My Baby’s Hair Damage Her Hair Line? впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Prepared by Shelli of Hairscapades.com

as told by Mom Enjoli

What’s your child’s name and age? Tell us a little about her.
My daughter’s name is Savannah and she just turned two September 13th. She is a fun-loving, energetic baby and absolutely loves to sing and dance. Her favorite fruit is a banana. Probably because I call her Savannah Banana :-). She’s in love with Elmo and thinks ABC’s and numbers ROCK!!!

How do you care for her hair? What products do you use, how often do you wash/condition, what techniques do you use (i.e., how do you detangle), etc.?
I wash Savannah’s hair every week, usually on Saturdays. She just finished swim classes and they were on Saturday, so that is our usual washing day. I generally wash it while she is in the bathtub at the end of a bath. I use the Shea Moisture Curl Defining Shampoo on her hair and the Restorative Conditioner as a leave in. I detangle it on days that I wash it especially. Once the washing is done, I go through and moisturize her scalp with pure coconut oil. I also put some of the oil on her hair. I usually braid it up and allow it to air dry. She generally wears braids or plaits to bed, so that her hair not all over the place in the am. I detangle her hair with the conditioner on it.

Products that we currently use (even though I am always looking):
Shea Moisture Curl Defining Shampoo
Shea Moisture Curling Souffle
Shea Moisture Curling Milk
Shea Moisture Restorative Conditioner
The Shea Moisture Deep Penetrating Shampoo (If hair is really dirty)
Cantu Shea Butter Leave in conditioning cream

This past weekend, I used a bootleg version of Miss Jessie’s called Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La at my BFF’s and loved it. Her hair was soft, smelled great, and the curls lasted all day. So I am looking for that where I live now.

Do the same products that work for you work for Savannah’s hair?
For the most part. We both have curly hair, although her hair is softer than mine. Her dad has curly hair and his dad before him as well.

What is a typical style? Do you employ protective styles? If so, how often?
It depends on time and her cooperation. LOL! I am learning to cornrow. I can get something in her head and it will be cute, but with her having the texture of hair that she does, it doesn’t usually last too long. If I’m in a rush, we generally settle for the high curly ponytail on top. Its a bit of a cop-out, but when we are pressed for time, it always comes through. LOL! Most recently I did a style that involved beads and she was ecstatic. Had been nervous because I felt like she was too young. If her hair has been twisted up, braided up, or in ponytails for a few days, then I will let her wear it loose in a little curly fro thingy for a few days as well to balance out the tension from the other style.

What challenges do you face with Savannah’s hair?
I just have no idea if I am doing it right! Her hair is so soft, in order to get it to do any styles, it usually involves some type of anchor or holder/rubber band. I try not to use them often. Her hair around her temple is a little thin and, at first, I thought it was falling out. Then I realized as a baby and younger infant, she had no hair there. So, I’ve since calmed down and realized that it is just her hair growing in. It’s different lengths in different areas and I’m not sure what to do about that.

I also get frustrated because, due to the softness of her hair, styles don’t last. If she does get braids, I may get 2 days out of them tops. Twists have to be done daily, banding doesn’t work, and the Bantu knot out didn’t work. I did include pics for you to see what I tried.

Have you ever relaxed/texlaxed Savannah’s hair? Why or why not and, if you relaxed her hair, what prompted the decision to return to natural?
I will NEVER relax my daughter’s hair. If she gets a relaxer, it will be her decision and her choice and her job to keep it up. LOL!

How does Savannah feel about her natural hair?
She’s only 2. So who knows. I know that she likes it when I do something fancy with it. She stands in the mirror and says, “Ooooh Mommy. Nice!” She enjoys playing in it and pulling on her ponytails. Her hair has quite a bit of length on it, so I think that is more important than texture right now. Just being able to reach it to play with it. She enjoys playing in mine, which is nowhere near the same texture as hers. So I’m guessing she likes it.

Anything else that you’d like to add?
While I will never relax Savannah’s hair, I would never be one to judge anyone who does. We all make the decisions we think are best for our kids at the time. I just hope that no matter what our babies’ hair looks like, we are encouraging them and telling them how beautiful they are. My mother relaxed my hair when I was 6 and I didn’t really need it. It was just easier for her since my hair was so thick. I’ve gone back and forth my entire adult life and am currently sans the creamy crack. I have no problem with relaxers, but have just chosen not to dabble in them anymore for myself. It has not been easy; it has been hard with my own hair. But, in choosing to embrace my hair … embrace me … it is making it easier for me to do hers and it makes her feel good about her hair as it is.

Want your baby’s hair routine featured on Baby and Blog? Email leila@babyandblog.com for details.

Запись Baby Hair: 2-Year-Old Savannah’s Natural Hair Routine впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

Prepared by Shelli of Hairscapades.com

What’s your child’s name and age? Tell us a little about her.
My daughter’s name is Chloe and she will be 7 years old in March. She is so sweet, she cries at movies, she loves ALL animals and is a girly tom-boy *lol*. She loves makeup – Sephora is her fave, because of all the tools and makeup just begging her to put them on her face. We’ve wanted to get her modeling gigs, but I’m so leery of the people who take advantage of kids. Now she’s in the weird stage with her teeth … ugh, and she won’t stop smiling, she’s a jack o’lantern!

How do you care for her hair? What products do you use, how often do you wash/condition, what techniques do you use?
No matter the style, Chloe wears a satin bonnet every night and sleeps with a satin pillow. Initially, it was because Mama did and she wanted to too, but then it made sense that a lot of what I was doing for myself would benefit her as well.

I wash Chloe’s hair twice a month with Tresemme Low Sulfate Shampoo or Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo. I co-wash her hair weekly with Organix Coconut Milk Conditioner, Aussie Moist Conditioner, Herbal Essences Hello Hydration or the Suave Almond and Shea Butter Conditioner. I always leave some condish in her hair and then wrap her hair in a white t-shirt to get the excess water out. I then section her detangled hair and apply Giovanni Leave-in, Kinky Curly Knot Today or Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque (smells so good) to her hair. Then the products vary depending on the style.

I detangle Chloe’s hair by sectioning the nape from side to side (this hair has looser curls) and then parting the rest of hair in 4 sections. I use my Denman brush, along with a spray water bottle, and work from the ends up and then, if I want to stretch her hair, twist or band the detangled section with Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In or Bee Mine Curly Butter.

Do the same products that work for you work for your child’s hair?
Yes and no *lol*. Chloe’s hair is thicker than mine, so I have to use more product on her or just a heavier alternative. But, for cleansing and conditioning, definitely we use the same products.

What is a typical style? Do you employ protective styles? If so, how often?
Chloe loves her hair out and we’ll do a wash n’ go. But, depending on the hold, we’ll use different products. For a softer, fluffier wash n’ go, we’ll use crèmes, like Aveda Be Curly or Mixed Chicks (but these two are pricey for our budget). For a more defined curl with some hold, we use Kinky Curly Curling Custard with the Knot Today, Elasta QP Feels Like Silk Gel or Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel and last, apply a few drops of Organix Coconut Milk Shine Serum (love the smell).

For her ponytails, I use TCB Lite Hair & Scalp Conditioner. It looks like gel, but goes on like a pomade. No sticky or tacky feeling and has amazing shine and lays down her stubborn curls and wispies like no other. I’ll sometimes use the Feels Like Silk Gel on her ponytails, if her hair is out for a curly ponytail. I have to use rubberbands on her ends (I know, I know), but her ends will unravel with the “twist around your finger” move. I even bought the Organic Root Stimulator Lock and Twist Gel thinking that would keep them together, but no luck.

We’ve even attempted a straight do, but Chloe’s curls will not be tamed and I’m not willing to burn her locks to try. I purchased the InStyler, then I use a heat serum on her hair (right now we have Carol’s Daughter Macadamia Nut Heat Protectant) and it does the trick, but within a few hours she has BIG HAIR. But, she’s happy and grateful for the hours she does have it straight.

I most definitely take advantage of the talented hair braiders whose styles last for 2 weeks and save me precious time in the morning!!! She loves the beads they put in her hair. I use Karen’s Body Beautiful Heavenly Jojoba Oil to lube her scalp or Palmer’s Spray Oil (I think it’s coconut oil) and alternate with Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk or Karen’s Body Beautiful Leave-in to moisturize.

What challenges do you face with your child’s hair?
Chloe has a few textures in her hair as well as her hair grows unevenly! You can see that one side is curlier than the other when I do a wash n’ go. One side will be on point and the other will be just ok *lol*. And that troublesome crown area is always dryer and has a mind of its own. The length of hair at the nape of her neck goes to her bum, but then her next “layer” will be mid-back! CRAZY, right? Well, I ignorantly had someone cut it up to mid-back (she wanted to try and cut it all even – she has layers that go up to her chin – heck no you ain’t cutting her hair even), thinking it would start to grow evenly. Well a year later, that nape section is to her bum again, but not the bulk of her hair. I’m concentrating on healthy hair, moreso than length with Chloe. But, I think I have to look at both.

How does your child feel about her natural hair?
Well, we live in a diverse community and Chloe wants to wear her hair out more frequently like some of her lighter friends. She’s even come home begging for a bang, this was in Kindergarten. Well, the African American community I grew up in didn’t even think of cutting bangs until maybe middle school!!! Her dad began to stress that his baby was getting grown and I had to explain to him that Caucasians get their little girls hair cut in bobs as early as toddlers; she is just expressing what she is seeing. I was just grateful she just wanted a bang and not the whole shebang, ok?! I pointed out to Chloe that her hair doesn’t want to stay straight when we InStyle it and her bang would just be a bush on her forehead if we did cut it and, after she finished laughing, she was ok with it. She’s more aware of her hair because of the attention that she gets when she wears it out, but overall, she loves her hair and thinks the shrinkage is really cool!

Have you ever relaxed/texlaxed your child’s hair? Why or why not and, if you relaxed her hair, what prompted the decision to return to natural?
No, I have never put a relaxer in Chloe’s hair and I won’t. We have so many resources at our fingertips as well as products that are just a website away that I just can’t see putting such harsh chemicals on her hair. She can make that decision when she is old enough, but hopefully she will appreciate what God has blessed her with and the evergrowing community of Natural Hair goddesses to relate to too!

Anything else that you’d like to add?
I think that this series/subsection of Hairscapades will be another resource for our curly families. One-stop shopping for moms and kids! I’m looking forward to reading other mini-hairstories and learning some new and better ways to maintain Chloe’s hair (if anyone can grant me the magical power of cornrowing, flat-twisting and parting, I’d be eternally grateful). Thanks Shelli for allowing us the opportunity – you are the bomb.com *Tamar voice*.

Запись Baby Hair: 7-Year-Old Chloe’s Natural Hair Routine впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

as told by Niah (mother)

Prepared by Shelli of Hairscapades.com

What’s your child’s name and age? Tell us a little about her/him.
My daughter’s name is Ashanti and she is 9 years old. She is my beautiful, brilliant and bright baby girl. She is into a little bit of everything: Girl Scouts, gymnastics, different styles of dance, acting and currently in the engineering club at her school, as well as the Vice President of SGA. Ashanti is a lover of anything music and/or fashion related and has been a little princess since day one. No, seriously. She has been crossing her legs (which I later corrected her to cross her ankles) since before she was a year old. She is a very loving and humble little girl who loves her mom. We have a super tight bond. I have been truly blessed with an amazing little girl and I only pray she stays this way forever.  *lol*

How do you care for her hair? What products do you use, how often do you wash/condition, what techniques do you use (i.e., how do you detangle), etc.?
It took me a really long time to figure out the best way to care for her hair, since my texture is very different.  When she was younger, her texture was more like her father’s, which is type 2 and 3. Most people thought her texture type was the easiest, but not nearly. Because, as she got older, her hair changed and is now a mixture of my 4a/4b hair and her father’s type 2 and 3 hair.  So, the crown of her hair, it’s more of my texture, which makes it a little more difficult to detangle. Well, thank GOD for the natural community! When I big chopped the first time about 5 years ago, when she was at the age of 4, I started my research.

I co-wash her hair weekly and wash with shampoo and deep condition every 2 weeks. I finger detangle her hair while washing/co-washing. I always use a leave-in conditioner, Giovanni, after washing. I section her hair into 6 sections and use plenty of leave-in with coconut oil. Comb each section with a wide tooth comb from the ends and work my way to the roots. After detangling, I use my own whipped shea butter mixture (organic shea butter, extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil) to seal her ends and then braid the sections. I use medium size braids. This is an extremely long process, because she has so much hair, but its worth it because she rarely has split ends. Her hair is wrapped in a satin scarf every night.

The products I use on her hair include:

• Aussie Shampoo and Conditioner
• Giovanni Leave-in Conditioner
• Shea butter, Extra virgin olive oil, Extra virgin coconut oil
• Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk
• Mizani H2O Conditioning Hair Dress

I’ve tried Kinky Curly Curling Custard, but because her hair is so thick, it took almost a week for it to completely dry. It only defined her curls around the perimeter of her head. But the crown, no such luck. In the winter season, I take that time to get her hair blown straight with low heat. This is when we catch up on trimming her ends, if necessary.  Also, when we wash her hair, it takes a few days to dry, since we rarely allow her to wear it out. If we do, she will for sure be able to score a part in the next Diana Ross or Chaka Khan feature. Speaking of which, because she happens to have pretty big hair and loves music, she was asked to play the lead “lady” in a music video acting as Sy Smith.

Do the same products that work for you work for your child’s hair?
For the most part, we are able to use the same products. The only products I do not use on my hair that seem to work well for her are Mizani Rose H2O Conditioning Hair Dress and Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk.

What is a typical style? Do you employ protective styles? If so, how often?
Her hairstyles are seasonal. Lol! Because she is extremely busy during summer break with gymnastics, swimming, dance class, acting class and just play dates and sleepovers, I do a protective style of double strand twists that are refreshed every 2 weeks. It takes about 3 to 4 hours each time, but it’s worth it and she loves it, because it’s the closest she ever gets to wearing her hair down. During the winter time, we have it blown straight and allow her to wear it all out and be free. Anytime around this season, it’s usually her famous ballerina bun or a few ponytails. Either style, whether protected or not, she always wears a satin scarf to bed.

What challenges do you face with your child’s hair?
The only challenge I have with my daughter’s hair is being able to keep it curly after a wash and knowing when it dries, it won’t blow up and create its own time zone. I love it when it gets big, but it loses its curl definition causing it to look like someone threw her away.

Have you ever relaxed/texlaxed your daughter’s hair? Why or why not and, if you relaxed her hair, what prompted the decision to return to natural?
Sadly, I was convinced by a member of her father’s family that I should put a soft texlaxer in hair when she was younger to calm the curls. I thought it was a bad idea as soon as I put it on, so I took it out almost immediately.  Even still, I felt horrible about it and since then, no one can ever tell me what to do to her hair or touch it without my permission. I decided to make sure it remained natural, because her hair was fine the way it was. I just had to learn it and have patience.

How does your child feel about her natural hair?
Ashanti loves her natural hair. She loves how versatile it is; how she can wear it big and curly or bone straight, knowing it will be curly again once it’s wet. She definitely appreciates the hours of work I put in her hair and I love to see her face light up when she looks in the mirror after we’re all done.

Anything else that you’d like to add?
Continue to educate yourself and your child on natural hair. Teach them how to love and take care of their hair early, so that they can have that much more appreciation for it. Other than that, if anyone has any great tips on how to maintain curls with hair textures 3/4a, please feel free to share them with me,  pleeaaasseee!!! As she gets older, she is over wearing pony tails to school and I don’t want to always straighten her hair. Lastly, along with other great natural hair communities, thank you Shelli for giving us a great tool to get great tips, motivation and inspiration in growing out healthy natural hair.

Запись Baby Hair: 9-Year-Old Ashanti’s Natural Hair Routine впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

I spotted this beautiful photo online and had to share! Beautiful brown ballerina ?

Запись Ballerina Bun впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

By Dominique Goosby Harris of All Things O’ Natural

Hola Chicas/Chicos…I pray all is well with everyone!
Ok, so I get this question a ton times ten on regimens for little Natty kids, so I thought, this would be a great opportunity to share how I care for my little one’s tresses to keep their hair clean, moisturized and most times, neat, lol (wink). This regimen, I do for our 2 year old and 3 year old son. Our olderst, who is 6, likes to cleanse and moisturize his own hair since he had it cut, but before that, his regimen was the same as the info below when I was growing it out. Now, for our newborn (1 month old), he’s slightly different in that, I dilute the cleanser more, but I do moisturize and seal in the moisture just as I will mention below. And as always, I hope this helps, guys!

STEP 1:KIDDY CLEANSING TIME…HOW IN THE WORLD DO THEY SIT STILL???

• Hmm, great question, how in the world does she sit still while you cleanse..First, let me say, I found a method that works for us and that is, I do most of the cleansing process outside of the tub or sink..I mist the hair with our Natty ACV Hair and Scalp mist to loosen the dirt and buildup, especially from the scalp..I even allow them to spray their own hair to let them feel as though they are cleansing their own hair..Now, I usually do this while a great show is on (Dora, Peppa Pig, SuperWHY, Yo Gabba Gabba or some other fantastic kid show) or I let them play on their Ipad in a comfortable position so they are distracted or we sing..loudly, and I proceed to spray away and massage their scalp.
• Once the hair is hydrated and damp, I finger detangle, gently, and place our daughter’s hair into 2 twists or braids (same method I use when cleansing my hair. Placing hair in twists or braids prevents the hair from retangling during the cleansing process).
• Once the hair is in the twists or braids, I apply cleanser to my hands (usually Dudu Osum’s African Black Soap shampoo..only all natural for my little ones) and gently massage the cleanser into her scalp, first, then undo one twist/braid at a time and apply a little cleanser down the hair and retwist/braid back up and move to the next one. Doing a massage while cleansing gets the blood circulating promoting healthy hair growth..and kids love it!
• This entire process takes about maybe 10-15 minutes..That’s 10-15 mintues that you have saved water, detangled and cleansed the hair.
• PLEASE NOTE: I only shampoo cleanse our little ones’ hair once per month. Weekly, I co-wash (conditioner wash) the hair, which helps in retaining moisture in the hair. This works for us because we do not use synthetic ingredients or tons of product that would require a thorough cleansing using a shampoo as often.

• Now that the cleansing part is over, it’s time to head to the bath or sink to rinse. By this time, she is calm and ready.
• Once in the bath/sink, I unravel one twist/braid at a time and rinse the hair with lukewarm water and run my fingers through the hair allowing the weight of the water to help further the detangling process.
• Voila, hair cleansed and rinsed and ready for conditioning.

• Now that the hair is clean, moisturized and sealed, you can style as you choose. Now, I rarely allow our daughter’s hair to be out due to the possiblity of retangling and achieving knots. So, I either place them in 4 plaits and wrap them in bantu knots or I give her some puffs, which I twist at night.
• Now, at night, because she wouldn’t dare keep a satin scarf or bonnet on her head, I just place a satin pillow in her bed to keep her tresses moisturized.

For more of Dominique’s writing, be sure to check out her wonderful blog, All Things O’ Natural.

Запись Baby Hair: How Dominique Washes, Conditions and Styles Her 2-Year-Old Daughter’s Hair впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.

By Imani A. Dawson

My son was born with a head full of silky straight hair parted neatly in the middle. At the hospital, the nurses got a kick out of styling it in a pompadour. (He looked like a baby version of Miguel, lol)

Though I knew his hair would eventually evolve to a texture more like mine or my husband’s, I was astonished when at 4 weeks he sprouted curls without the straight hairs first falling out. His curly roots and straight tips made my little nugget look like he was growing out a bad perm. Multiple textures sprung up. Suddenly he had tight ringlets in the front, looser curls at the crown, and waves at the very back of his precious little head. I had no clue how to handle his infant hair, so I turned to an expert for help.

According to natural hair pioneer and master stylist Diane C Bailey, it takes about 18 months for a baby’s true texture to settle in. Most Black and multi-racial babies are born with soft, delicate, breakage-prone hair that needs tender care to thrive. Before a child is a year and a half, less is best when it comes to haircare. Bailey recommends using organic and all natural products like the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Curling Butter Cream and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Extra-Moisturizing Detangler to care for baby hair or creating your own mixes. Stay away from heavily fragranced hair formulations and stylers (puddings, gels, soufflés, etc). During your child’s earliest stages, the emphasis should be on gentle maintenance, rather than curl definition. Here are a few tips for caring your baby’s curls.

Cleansing
Wash baby’s hair and scalp once a week using a mild, moisturizing shampoo (try Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Tear Free Shampoo & Wash). At six months and younger, Bailey recommends using a gentle cleanser diluted with water. (I like California Baby Calendula Shampoo & BodyWash)

Moisturizing
Bailey suggests keeping baby’s hair soft and pliable by moisturizing frequently. The exact level of moisture depends on the texture and porosity of your little one’s curls. Individual sections may require hydration than others.
Every two or three days, I apply a leave in conditioner (I’m currently loving California Baby Calendula Hair Conditioner), then massage my baby’s scalp and finger comb his curls.

Detangling
Apply a light leave in conditioner like Cara B Leave in Conditioner/Daily Moisturizer and gently detangle with fingers, a wide tooth- comb or soft-bristle brush. When combing and detangling, make sure your little one’s hair is wet, don’t attempt it dry, or chances are you’ll have an angry, squalling tot on your hands.

Styling
According to Bailey, baby hair shouldn’t be over manipulated, so resist the urge to create elaborate styles. Use protective techniques like twisting and braiding on young children. When it comes to little babies, adopt a minimalist approach. Play up infant curls with satin covered accessories.

Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is the dry, flaking skin that sometimes appears on a baby’s scalp. The scientific name is seborrheic dermatitis, and the condition is relatively harmless. It generally resolves itself within a few months. In the meantime, Bailey recommends gently massaging the scalp with coconut or olive oil, then rinsing to control flakes.
Thanks to these tips, my three month old has a healthy full head full of multi-textured curls. If and when his hair morphs again, I’ll be ready.

Imani is an award winning TV Writer/Producer and the founder of natural hair blog Tribecalledcurl.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @TribeCalledCurl and on Facebook.

Запись From Wisps to Curls: Tips for Keeping Up with your Baby’s Changing Hair впервые появилась Baby & Blog | Celebrating Black Mommyhood.