How to Wash a Toddler's Hair

Toddlers have very strong ideas about what they like and dislike ' unfortunately, hair-washing is often one of the things they don't like. Here's how to get them clean with a minimum of fuss.

Difficulty: Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Baby Blankets
• Baby Shampoo
• Safety Bathers
• Baby Shampoo

1. Keep in mind, many toddlers are scared of loud running water: run the bath before they get in, if possible, and have rinsing water ready in a jug nearby.

2. Keep the water out of her eyes with goggles or a visor ' this makes it harder for you to reach all the hair, but may make it easier to get the job done.

3. Tell your child what you are doing before you do it ' a little explanation, even if she doesn't understand, can go a long way towards making the experience more comfortable for her.

4. If possible, don't pour water over your child's head in large amounts ' use a wet washcloth or your hands to rinse a little bit at a time.

5. Try the reclining method of shampooing and rinsing your child, if she will cooperate ' if she leans backwards in the tub, against you, or over a sink, you will be able to rinse her hair without getting water in her face.

6. Be sure to use a gentle shampoo with a no-tears formula.

7. Turn hair washing into a game. Let your child lather her own head, or get into the tub yourself, and let her help you wash your hair.

8. Avoid making it an issue ' if the child refuses to have her hair washed, or becomes agitated, just back off and try again later.

Tips & Warnings

• Offer a special toy or activity to coincide with hair washing ' this can be a wind-up tub toy, blowing bubbles, or anything else to distract your child from the experience.
• Use just a tiny bit of shampoo ' you can always add more to get a good lather, and it's easier to rinse off quickly if you don't use too much.
• Some shampoos, like some bubble baths, can cause rashes and urinary tract infections if children sit in the residue ' wash hair at the end of the bath, and rinse the child all over with fresh tap water when you take her out.
• Don't wash your toddler's hair too often ' unless she gets food and dirt in it on a daily basis, once or twice a week should be adequate to keep her hair and scalp healthy.

[isla23]

on 10/24/2009 Hey have just cracked the hairwashing issue at our place. There is this genius DVD - I Can Wash My Hair, which you let your LO watch before hair washing time, it has a little song about bubbles that you can sing while washing hair too. I hope they make these DVDs for other things too because this is a seriously excellent idea. http://www.icanforkids.com It just has all the good stuff that you say above, but LO believes it because it comes from TV and not me

[PurpleAnkh]

on 10/7/2008 I'm going to try these. Bath time should be fun, instead of the screaming tantrum and tears I deal with every time!

on 11/22/2005 Put a sun visor on while rinsing. This keeps water from running into their eyes.

on 11/22/2005 My 3 1/2 year old daughter hates to get water in her eyes, so a removable shower head works great. If we are staying somewhere that doesn't have a removable shower head, I just turn the shower part on. She loves to play in the 'rain', and it gets the shampoo out.

on 11/22/2005 Turn it into a fun game- WE take a plastic cup & fill it 1/2 way with water. Place it on our child's head & have them tip their water hat! When they look up the water runsdown the back of their head wetting/washing their head.