When it comes to kids hairstyles, I’ll always say go for protective styles, as soon as they are old enough or better still safe to do so. Protective styles are the best ways to maintain baby kid’s hair and keep it growing continuously.
I know the battle (and concerns) with how to keep them still when doing their hair and related questions like can I comb their hair?, how much of butter and oils can I use on my child’s hair?, etc. All those are legitimate but once you start you will figure out answers to all of these as you get to know their hair better.
Why protective styles
Protective styles are good to retain moisture in children’s hair, and helps them better navigate through these challenges:
- Weather and temperature changes – In the cold winter months our hair tends to dry out. You would think summer is better right? but no. In the summer months the hot weather causes additional dryness, sometimes due to exposure when you get out. We tend to sweat a lot that causes our tresses to lose the needed moisture our hair produces. No wonder we need moisture in summer as much as winter. These extreme temperature changes, stresses hair follicles, so its important to keep your child’s hair tucked away to maintain good amount of moisture
- Tangles: Its perfectly fine to leave your child’s fro out for a few days if your child does not struggle with dryness, mine does, and makes me particular about retaining moisture and protecting their ends. You know by now how I feel about tangles (if not check my previous posts on detangling natural hair). When you leave kids hair out for too long, you expose them to tangles especially at the ends. This can also cause split ends issues that can lead to long term damage. For many parents, the reason your child’s hair is not growing is because you are unable to properly care for their ends. So by the time they get new growth the ends are already gone.
- Sleep and play related materials: For babies and young children too much rubbing on crib sheets, bassinet, playmats, couch, rolling on the floor, etc., can cause their hair to dry out quickly and lead to breakage. Protective styles help to tuck the hair away, preserve and retain moisture and prevent it from dryness and breakage.
Which styles should I go for?
I’m glad you asked!😁 There are several styles when it comes to kids protective styles but keep them simple especially when they are young. I know many will oppose, but I start protective styles as young as about 4-5months olds. Remember, if you are like me they are too young for anything complicated. I adjust the styles as they grow. My go-to styles are:
Two-strand twist
They are easy to do within a short amount of time. They can be done with or without elastics (to hold the roots, if you prefer). I’d recommend you stay away from elastics when they are between 4-9months since their hair is very soft and fragile and may be pulled by the elastics. When I finally introduce them, I get the brands I use from my local beauty supply store (Sally’s beauty), rub them with any hair oil to prevent pulling of the hair.
Braids/Mini Braids
If you know how to braid, it can be a great way to protect kids hair and ends. I usually would do this without any feed-ins until they are about a year old. I also find that even for my 3-year old, I tend to pull her hair a little when I do braids with feed-ins (extensions) and it gets uncomfortable because she won’t stay still. I would recommend staying away completely until they are ready to listen and be calm so you don’t pull their hair in the process.
Cornrows and crown braids are also great, remember – don’t make it too tight, they are still young with tender scalp.
Every parent know little ones are not easy to deal with when doing their hair – Here are my tips on keeping them still:
- Keep it simple
- They have no time to sit for long periods, so don’t make the experience horrible for them, give them breaks.
- Entertain them with things they like – when they get used to the hair-do routine, they will adapt
- Give them mirrors and/or time to admire their hairstyles (if that can be done safely) – it instills trust and confidence in what is done to the hair and gives them pleasure to work with you always 💪
Thinking of Adding Accessories?
Accessories are beautiful and adds fun to the hair but don’t get too attached to them. If you plan to use barrettes for protective styles take them off before they sleep. At some point, I started using beads at the ends but realized they were breaking the ends. Use them cautiously. Also, they will fall or kids can pull them off the hair and swallow them – it can be a hazard.
My recommendations are barrettes, beads and mini bows but remember to take them off when the party is over and at night time. Mini bows with metal clips must be used with caution. Remove before naps and bedtime.
Preserving protective styles
- Remember the goal is to maintain moisture so keep the hair hydrated and moisturized while kids hair are in protective styles
- Check out my blog on protecting natural hair while in protective styles as my recommendations will apply to kids protective styles as well.
Enjoy protecting the hair of your little ones!!! 😁
The Curly Beautiful 