Curling a baby/toddler/young girl’s hair

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13pollitos

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My babies have very thick heads of very long hair, right from birth. The two baby girls both have mostly curly hair naturally like their father, but the hair on top and front is straight like mine. My solution has always been to put sponge curlers in their hair at night. It curls it to match the back and sides and it keeps their hair out of their beautiful faces. My mom used to put these rollers in our hair at times and I remember very fondly the one on one bonding time, the gentleness of her brushing and rolling the curlers, and feeling pretty with the bouncy curls on my head. I never thought anything about using them with my daughters until this evening.

A friend from church stopped by to visit as I was finishing up putting the curlers in the one year olds hair. I do it the day I wash her hair and it stays curly until I wash it again. I usually was it every three days but more if she gets sticky. She takes a bath daily. So it’s about three nights a week I put in the curlers. My friend was very disturbed that I would do that. She said it is wrong to beautify my baby like that. I explained it wasn’t to make her beautiful. She already is! It is to even out her natural curls and to keep her hair from her eyes. Still she was very offended.

I was just wondering if anyone else feels like my friend, and if so, what suggestions do you all have (besides cutting her hair) to keep it from her eyes? Most bows, barrettes and hair ties are choking hazards because she takes them out. The little baby will need something soon too.

And yes, my daughters really do have that much hair!
 
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Hi, there is nothing wrong with using natural safe products like rollers to assist in controlling her hair. Bobby pins and small rubber bands are more of a hazard for a child. On the other hand, if it were harsh chemicals being used to straighten it, then that would be a problem.

I was born with naturally curly hair. My mother would detangle then loosely braid my hair every night with 2 to 4 thick 2-strand braids. She would do this on my hair since I was a toddler up til about age 11. She would put a perm roller at the very bottom of each loose braid instead of a rubber band. Why???..Because tiny hair rubber bands found anywhere in the house would be a hazard for my younger siblings. The most important convenience of this hair routine was that it was easier for my mom. This hair routine kept my hair detangled while sleeping and therefore all my mother had to do the next morning after I woke up…was remove the rollers and untwist my braids. VOila!

I am now 38 years old and guess what!? I braid my own hair at night and unbraid them the next morning because it helps my curls be manageable and stay tamed the next day! The only difference now as an adult is that I use hairspray after unbraiding my hair.

Many people who DO NOT have naturally curly hair do not know how to manage it or control curly hair because they have not had to deal with it. They also do not know the “tried and tested” methods curly haired people have done on their own hair to find the best way to control their curls. As an experienced curly head, it took me alot of trials to find the easiest method for me to stick to.

Keep doing what you are doing on your child’s hair. It really is none of your friend’s business.
 
Actually, I think that’s the darlingest thing, and now I have this adorable mental picture of two little girls with foam curlers in their hair 🙂
 
Thank you so much!

It is safer because the babies can’t choke on the rollers. I have braided the older girls hair a couple of times. I like that idea a lot!
 
Thank you. They do look cute. And they love it. The one year old knows it is bedtime when she sits on my lap and we get the curlers. I think it is comforting to her.
 
I don’t get your friends objection. As long as it doesn’t hurt your daughters, what’s wrong with it? We all “beautify” our kids. Does she just dress her kids in burlap sacks every day?
 
She does keep hers very natural. I never thought anything about it. I am very natural myself. I just never considered foam rollers as unnatural. They have no chemicals and they do no harm. They have been used for generations of people.
 
If your daughters don’t object to wearing them, do it.

Your friend needs to butt out. You don’t tell her what to do with her kids I assume.
Not sure why she is offended. That’s ridiculous.
 
I have naturally curly hair and my mom used to do this for me to keep my hair more manageable. It certainly beat combing out horrific tangles all the time!
 
Yes it does! I am glad other people with curly hair are chiming in. Since my hair is straight I don’t have the same troubles that my daughters have. My sister in law has hair like my husband. Very curly. She says what she likes is rag curlers, but I don’t know how to tie them. My mom used foam rollers so I started using those. I know how to do that.
 
Ask your SIL how to do the rags next time you see her. I think they are actually easier to sleep with.
 
Thanks! I will if we are ever able to. She lives very far away and we don’t visit often. We talk on the phone. I will see if maybe she can Skype soon. That way I may be able to see how she does it.
 
Oh, that’s a good idea. Look on YouTube too. someone might have a demonstration there as well.
 
I can see how someone would be shocked at the sight of a toddler in hair curlers, but that shock comes from the privilege of having easily managed hair. Consider the work that black moms have to do to keep their kids’ hair in braids and other popular styles. In the end, you don’t have to justify your children’s hair care routine to anyone. If the children get really upset about the curlers and it becomes a battle, it might be time to consider a different style, but if everyone is happy, you don’t need to feel guilty because of the opinion of someone who doesn’t have to deal with your child’s hair textures.
 
Hello.

I think your friend needs to mind her own business - that way she wouldn’t have the time or inclination to criticize your loving care of your daughters. Sounds way more about her than your children.
 
Ladybug1980 said:
Keep doing what you are doing on your child’s hair. It really is none of your friend’s business.
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This! Until they can take care of their own hair, you do whatever makes it easier for you, including cutting it short if that works for you. (That’s what my mom did) I had short curly hair most of my life.
 
I think has a lot to do with her kids are all boys. And they have military haircuts like their dad. It doesn’t require care
 
I can see your point. If it is not something she is has seen before it may surprise her. As for now, my oldest brings me her curlers to put them in. It’s her bedtime cool down I guess. We cuddle, tell stories, and she enjoys it. If it changes we will deal with that later. The baby is too little to notice. I hold her in my shawl and put them in when she nurses.
 
I remember my mum curling my hair when I was younger she’d wet my hair tear up an old pillow case or some old sheets and wrap my around it and tie the ends off she called them rag curls or if she didn’t do that she’d wet my hair wrap it around her finger and brush it around until it was a curl
 
I personally have no problem with short hair but my husband and his family are of a culture that it isn’t accepted very well. They are indigenous and the girls have very long hair and wear it in traditional styles for holidays and ceremonies. Our older girls have all chosen their hairstyles when they were about 10 and that is kind of the compromise my husband is willing to make. At that time they can do their own care as well. The two big girls both cut their hair short and I was surprised at how much my husband liked it. But now they are both back to the long hair and doing it in traditional styles. They have very straight hair though so it’s much easier to manage
 
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