Brushing DDs Hair

totallyshocked

Help!! My almost 4 year old refuses to let me brush the knots out of her hair (which she gets everynight). Tried a million shampoos, conditioners, sprays and even bough the "knot genie". Even tho she will let me brush it or does it herself she goes crazy and CRIES while throwing punches after more than like 4 strokes. any ideas?

TiffanyBerry

Two things - find a brush that will work well (for frizzy hair, a boar hair brush and a lot of time, patience, and using your fingers will help), and use electronics!  DD was the same way for me, until I let her watch Dora (or whatever) on the iPad while I brushed her hair.  Problem 98% solved.  Also, of course, don't wash often (once a week or so), use leave in conditioner every time you brush (watered down, of course), and brush *daily*, if not twice a day.

sarahandeddiejune212008

I occasionally use my conditioner on DD's super long hair. It does help. Otherwise distraction, distraction, distraction!

totallyshocked

I never thought to brush it less. Duh that would leave oils making it easier! and trust me she goes to time out if she hits. We don't tolerate any physical aggression at all in this home. Thanks ladies def got some ideas now 

ashiscute

My DD twirls her hair into knots while she's sleeping sometimes.  I brush her hair 3 times each day (morning, after nap, before bed).  I use detangler liberally and if I notice it's extra hard to brush that means it's time for a trim.  

If she complains I tell her we can cut her hair short like DS and she does not want that so she cooperates.  

totallyshocked

Too bad DD is kinda a tomboy and when I say that to her she says "good I want to look like daddy" ..... shes something

totallyshocked

well I just brushed her hair..... geez you would have thought I was beating the kid. and those are all good tips and I pretty much do them all except sometimes I think I do make the hair tug too much. She just knots up. Really think the trick is going to be conditioner only and twice a week. def 3 brushes a day. But yes her hair is long.... and has natural spirals at the bottom and very thick too! I just need to keep at it. Thanks

SunAndRain

My hair is fine and curly and knots terribly. I only brush it in the shower while there is conditioner in it.  The knots just slide out.  And I don't understand not shampooing hair.  My daughter's hair gets gross from food and sweat.  I can't imagine letting that gunk build up.

TiffanyBerry

SunAndRain said:

My hair is fine and curly and knots terribly. I only brush it in the shower while there is conditioner in it.  The knots just slide out.  And I don't understand not shampooing hair.  My daughter's hair gets gross from food and sweat.  I can't imagine letting that gunk build up.

When you use conditioner (the kind you rinse out) regularly, you do end up washing that gunk out, just not with soap.  It doesn't get everything, but it helps a lot.

I do what you do - I generally only comb my hair in the shower with conditioner in it (and again with a wide tooth comb immediately after that shower), but my daughter hates her hair being wet, and her hair wouldn't get detangled often enough if I relied on this method right now.  Some day, we will probably switch to that.

jeephappygirl

My DD just turned 3. My go to distractions are letting her wash her hands (play) in the sink and squirting a water bottle on the mirror. I also ask how she wants her hair...one pony or two..braids or headband..what color bows, etc.

Leap08

My 4 year old has the most tender head. She often screams while I brush her hair and will cry actual tears. I try to be so gentle. I do what a previous poster mentioned - start at the bottom and work up. When her hair has just been washed/conditioned it's not really a big deal. It's in the morning when her hair is dry and tangled that we have issues. Most of the time cartoons work as a distraction. Recently, after a really tough morning, I told her if she couldn't sit still and let me brush her hair, we would have to cut it short. She's been better ever since. I am really serious about cutting it short. I'm done struggling with her about it and I think she can tell I'm serious. 

And OP, if your daughter wants short hair and brushing her hair is a struggle, why not cut it? If my daughter actually wanted her hair cut, I'd make an appointment right away.

totallyshocked

Because Im pretty positive its just a phase and she will end up being so sad about it. Since I have posted I have done a few def things. First I ask her to brush is 2 times a day (morning and after bath). Then I also have only shampooed it once but conditioned a few times. Her brushing it gets it nice and smooth then I can work one area on a time and get those nasty knots out! Yes I have seen tears but they last only for a second. Thanks for all your input ladies. If I have to cut her hair clearly I will but its so beautiful both DH and I are trying not to...

foreverapartofme

When I was younger, my mother would leave the conditioner in my hair and spray detangler in which helped a lot, because my hair was crazy curly. Also, my mom would braid my hair before bed while it was still wet! When I woke up in the morning a lot of times I could avoid having to brush my hair. See if your LO will let you braid/French braid her hair so she does not have to brush it twice a day. Good luck!

BGGP9196

Buy a Wet Brush, best investment I have ever made!!  I bought it off Amazon based on a friends recommendation and it honestly has saved us!   My DD and I both have very thick and curly hair and this brush gets tangles out without using conditioner and without any pain.  I have had my 1st brush for 2 years and just recently bought another one just in case we lose the first one.

totallyshocked

My friend works at a salon and is suppose to be getting me a wet brush.....still waiting lol. I bought the know genie and it does NOTHING!! Thanks mamas

skibunny59

I've toyed with the idea of chopping off DD's hair for this reason exactly.  It was becoming a huge pain in the ass to brush and comb.  My DD doesn't even like me combing her hair when it's not tangled.  Anyway, I didn't chop it off but I did start putting on the tv for her while I did her hair.  That is the only thing that seemed to work.  I really don't like tv but the other night DD had a gigantic ball of knots in her hair and actually did let me comb it out while sitting quietly watching Caillou.

JulesDiane

I braid my daughter's hair at night before bed. It definitely has helped in reducing the knots. I really should just get in cut. Our daily wrestling matches while I brush her hair is exhausting. Now if my younger one could just grow some hair!