If you’ve ever had the pleasure of spending hours washing a child’s head of thick curly hair, you know it can be a daunting task for many.  A “simple” washday can quickly turn into a back-and-forth tug of war between you and your child. Water will be everywhere. Your little one will be screaming at the top of his or her lungs and steam will be shooting out of your ears. To ease your nerves and save your child’s hair strands, lets take a look at 4 ways to ensure a fuss-free washday.

1) MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE

If you have the counter space, an ideal place to start would be to lay your little one on the counter (on their back) with his/her head slightly hanging in the sink. Before starting the wash process roll up a towel to place under the neck so they aren’t complaining of the surface being too hard. To make it extra comfy, lay a towel or something cushioned on the counter for her to lie on. Trust me, you’ll wish you had been doing this all along. Your child will be comfortable and you will be able to start the process without a lot of fuss. This is especially helpful for those little ones who are fearful of getting water in their eyes.

2) DISTRACT! DO FUN ACTIVITIES WHILE WASHING

• Create a washday playlist of you and your child’s favorite songs so both of you can sing at the top of your lungs while washing.

• Allow your child to chose the final hairstyle so he/she will have something “special” to look forward to at the end.

• Offer your little one an iPad, tablet or favorite book to look at while you wash.

• Start a fun conversation or ask them about their day.

3) USE PROPER TOOLS & PRODUCTS TO MINIMIZE TEARS

The tools and products you use can either help or hinder the process. Use a detangling tool specifically designed to detangle the density of hair your little one has. For all hair types make sure the hair is fully saturated with water and your favorite conditioner before detangling.

In case you are new to this wash day process and don’t have products in mind, I’ll start you off with one of my favorite brands. As I Am® Born Curly™ line of products are certified organic and are designed to include safer and toxic free ingredients. I especially love them because they were made with our curly haired babies/children in mind. Saturating the hair with the Born Curly™ Argan Leave-In Conditioner and Detangler (or product of your choice such as the Rosemary Vanilla Twist Defining Smoothie, Argan Curl Defining Jelly, Nourishing Hair & Body Oil or Aloe Shampoo & Wash) prior to detangling will allow your detangling tool to glide through the hair, which will help your little one remain at ease.

4) CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME TO WASH!

Choosing the right time to wash is one of the last steps in ensuring a smooth washday. Prior to washing make sure your little one is well fed and not sleepy.  Selecting too close to nap time or bedtime can be disastrous. Your little one will be falling asleep or fussy because he/she is too tired to stay awake throughout the process.

It is just as important to pick a less cumbersome day so you aren’t rushing through washday. The more you rush, the rougher you will handle your child’s curly hair. The rougher you are, the less satisfied your little one would become.

Following these simple tips will guarantee a fuss-free washday. Your little one will walk away cheerful and excited. So before your next wash day, don’t forget to try a few of these suggestions. And be sure to grab a few Born Curly™ products on your next trip to your favorite drug or department store.