need a super gentle shampoo

wifey26 · July 2013

i've tried it all - j&j, aveeno, varieties of each brand, etc - my son FREAKS out when i rinse his hair. he does not like the soap in his eyes! i try so hard to keep it out of his eyes, teach him to close his eyes, etc and it inevitably gets in his eyes anyways. i feel awful for him! there must be some brands out there that i've never tried or maybe even heard of that is a really gentle brand that i can try. TIA

wifey26 · July 2013

he does have very thick hair and it gets rather yuck this time of year (sunscreen, swimming, etc).

Meery82 · July 2013

Are you sure it's not just the water pouring on his head that freaks him out? My son hates that.

misslin20 · July 2013

We use Aquaphor by Eucerin so its gentle. But my DS still doesn't like it in his eyes...I don't think you'll find a soap that will accomplish that. I just don't as fast as possible and put a washcloth over his eyes so minimal about of water/soap gets in them.

Katie829 · July 2013

LalaMama81 said:
I'd still try conditioner only, but I'm pretty anti shampoo. (I haven't used it in 8 years)

Have you tried laying a washcloth over his eyes and leaning him back? If nothing works just do it all as fast as possible he'll get Over it.

What kind of conditioner? Do you use a child's one or your own?

ELF4321 · July 2013

California Baby makes a good gentle combo shampoo and body wash.

Aurora_Borealis · July 2013

I agree with what a couple of PPs have said. Your LO's reaction is far more likely due to the fact that he hates getting water on his face. The shampoo probably has nothing to do with it.

Have you tried one of those shampoo visors?
https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Shower-Shampoo-Visor-Bath/dp/B002JH7NXO

ELF4321 · July 2013

ELF4321 said:
California Baby makes a good gentle combo shampoo and body wash.

I just realized it is Earth's Best organic, not CB. Sorry!

tbmadeamistake · July 2013

I use Shea Moisture brand shampoo, which is super gentle, but C still pitches a fit if we get it, or any water, on her face. I've started doing my mom did and laying her back to rinse her hair. I fill the tub so that the shallow end only comes up to her ears when she's laying down, and then I rinse her off that way. It took her a couple times to get used to it, and sometimes she still needs my hand under her head to feel comfortable, but it works! No more water falling over her face.

SweetRachel · July 2013

California Baby

AlliM3191 · July 2013

My daughter is afraid of the water being poured on her head, what I ended up doing is getting a small squirter, and I use it in sections on her head at a time and in between I let her calm down again and play with her bath toys. The squirting water doesn't freak her out as much as the wet wash cloth or the little cup, but it still makes her uncomfortable. I remember when I was younger my mom would fold up a washcloth and put it over my eyes when she rinsed my hair, I haven't tried that yet with my LO because I know she'll struggle so I'll need to figure a way to do it fast, but it's worth a shot because it'll keep the water/shampoo out of their eyes!

PrincessPeach13 · July 2013

California Baby Super Sensitive shampoo is what we use with DS. And some of that standard baby shampoo stuff hurts like hell. I was out of my shampoo one day and used his tear free aveeno shampoo on myself. It was at that point that I realized the reason it's tear free is because they put some kind of chemical n there that actually dries your eyes so you physically cannot tear up. It was the most awful burning feeling.

I'll never go back to j&j, aveeno, whatnot.

I've heard that Episencial makes a good gentle shampoo/bodywash too.

But I have no reason to switch from CB right now.

cedenton · July 2013

I agree that as long as y ou're using a baby shampoo it's probably not hurting your LO's eyes. But, FWIW, we use Mustela. It's awesome!

brainpagan · July 2013

My daughter HATED having water poured on her head until recently. It was horrible. She would start to cry at the sight of a container with water while in the tub. I was frustrated for her. I needed to wash her hair periodically. We have curly hair and not washing it is not an option for me. One day I decided to get in the tub with her. when it was time to rinse I sat her on my lap facing out and leaned back holding her head against me. She was still upset, but this really minimized any water/shampoo in the eyes. Since I was already wet I was able to comfort her with a hug. I hope this helps.

wifey26 · July 2013

thanks all! we switched over to California Baby Super Sensitive this weekend. after hearing your thoughts and doing some research, it seems many baby shampoos have a fair number of chemicals, perfumes, etc wherease CB rates very low in these areas. he did much better with it!

he doesn't mind swimming, getting his face wet, going under water, etc so this whole shampoo/bath situation just baffles me. we try to minimize the face in the water (kind of trying it salon style by tipping his head back) but it inevitably gets in his face/eyes at some point. let's hope this helps!!

[Deleted User] · July 2013

glad you chose California Baby! And it smells A-MA-ZING! we love it!

brainpagan · July 2013

Happy you were able to find a solution. We also use California Baby. We really like the shampoo. However, the conditioner does not mee our needs

lageorgiapaperie · July 2013

My DS hates getting shampoo rinsed. I lay him down in the bath with my arm under his head and gently pour water on his scalp. We can usually avoid getting anything in his eyes that way.

We use Babyganics shampoo, but I've been thinking about switching to just baking soda, but I'm not sure how "tear free" that is if it were to get in his eyes.

aandg · July 2013

We've always used CA Baby and the kids have never been bothered by it getting in their eyes.

unaveragejane · July 2013

PrincessPeach13 said:

California Baby Super Sensitive shampoo is what we use with DS. And some of that standard baby shampoo stuff hurts like hell. I was out of my shampoo one day and used his tear free aveeno shampoo on myself. It was at that point that I realized the reason it's tear free is because they put some kind of chemical n there that actually dries your eyes so you physically cannot tear up. It was the most awful burning feeling.

I'll never go back to j&j, aveeno, whatnot.

I've heard that Episencial makes a good gentle shampoo/bodywash too.

But I have no reason to switch from CB right now.

I had no idea this was why the baby shampoos are "tear free" but just now when I was looking at Earth Mama Angel Baby shampoo/body wash online, I noticed this line about their product:
"Not a no-tear formula because it has no anesthetizing agents." Wow. I am definitely not using any body products without doing a little more research!

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