The Easy Way to Care for Your Toddler's Hair at Bedtime

People stop me all the time to ask questions about how I care for my daughter’s curly hair. She is two years old with a head full of curls. I’m always asked how my daughter’s hair grows so long and how I preserve it overnight. There is no secret science to what I do to maintain her healthy hair. I simply created a healthy hair regimen that includes a bedtime routine for her curls that I follow consistently. The most crucial step in the regimen is the bedtime routine, so it is important that it is not overlooked. Do you currently have wash day down, but need help with a bedtime hair care routine for your curly kid? Incorporate these three steps.

Step 1. Keep the curls moisturized

This is such an important step that it’s almost always missed, especially at bedtime. When caring for your curly kid’s hair you want to make sure that you are always keeping their hair moisturized. Moisturize your little one’s curls every single night by just spritzing the hair with a little water, or create your own DIY mixture of water and leave in. I like to use water mixed with my favorite leave-in conditioner, Mielle Organics Organic White Peony Ultra Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner. It is lightweight and chock-full with moisturizing ingredients such as coconut oil and jojoba oil to help your hair retain the moisture it needs. You can also do this if your child’s hair is in a protective style.

Step 2. Protect hair with satin bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase

Using a bonnet on your child’s natural hair will prevent it from drying out. My daughter actually loves wearing her satin bonnet at night. If not protected, our curlies hair can rub against cotton pillowcases, which can cause friction, leading to breakage and dry hair. We never go to bed without our satin bonnets on. If you find that your little one’s bonnet does not stay on at night, try replacing her cotton pillowcases with satin pillowcases. Sometimes those bonnets fit too tightly on their heads and cause discomfort. This is an effective alternative to the bonnet. Although deciding to forgo the satin scarf or bonnet will not preserve the style as long, at least their hair will not be dry.

Step 3. Stay consistent

The key to any successful regimen is to stay consistent. If you stay consistent with your child’s bedtime regimen, it will keep you on track. Start introducing bonnets and scarves at an early age, because your child will get used to them and it won’t be foreign to them as time goes on.

What do you use on your toddler’s hair at bedtime?

What’s next?

These tips work well for us, but here are 4 things I never use on my child’s hair.

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