How to wash baby hair without a bath?

Many children simply don’t like having their hair washed. They will squeeze it in fists, kick and scream, refuse to stand still, or even pinch the shampooer to make them stop. It can all end up very stress-inducing for both parents and children alike.

The problem can be that your child has sensory sensitivities that mean they need more gentleness in order to keep calm through it. They may also be worried about water getting into their eyes or mouths and not know how to wash baby hair without getting water in ears. Kids will vary in their reactions, but very young children are particularly likely to find it stressful – often because they don’t know how to hold their heads and protect themselves from the water. So make sure you give them lots of time to get used to having their hair washed before you try it.

If your child just doesn’t like having their hair washed, it can be very difficult for both of you. All kids need regular good quality sleep in order to grow and develop well, so if you’re putting your child under unnecessary stress by forcing them into having washing sessions that are unpleasant for all concerned, you could be undermining the good effects of what should still be a vital part of your bedtime routine. In fact, it will be very counterproductive if you have to avoid the regular schedule of hair-washing just so that ‘something good happens’ for your child at bedtime.

If your child is simply finding it hard to cope with hair-washing and you’ve tried lots of different techniques without any really good success, it might be a good idea to think about whether bath time could work better. You may need to change your routine if bath time is easier—see below—but many children find this easier than being washed while they are standing up.

The first step is to get them used to have a little water on their head. You could try dipping the hair in a bowl or pouring a little tap water over the head while they are lying on their back or sitting, so that they get used to having some wetness, but not getting it all over.

If you decide to go ahead with bath time, the important thing is to make sure that you set things up properly so that your child feels safe and secure when they are in the bath. You will need:

When I try to wash my toddler’s hair, why does he or she scream or cry?

• A kid could detest getting their hair washed for four major reasons:

• They dislike the way the shampoo feels as it is massaged into their scalp.
• They could be worried that when their hair is rinsed, water or shampoo will get on their face or in their eyes.
• They dislike having their body or head cocked to the side. Some children find the sensation, as well as the fact that they are unable to see their surroundings, to be frightful.
• They absolutely detest taking baths, regardless of whether they are getting their hair washed.

No matter why your child doesn’t like getting their hair washed, it goes without saying that you should use a shampoo made just for kids that won’t make them cry. Better still, if you can find one without any aroma. At most, you should only wash their hair once or twice a week.

How to wash baby hair without getting water in ears or having shampoo rinsed out of their hair

If your young child despises having water or shampoo splashed in their face, try these:

As you rinse, offer them a dry face cloth to cover their eyes with. If they don’t like reclining back, encourage them to lean forward while keeping the towel over their eyes.

Try out various techniques for washing shampoo from your toddler’s hair. Try a handheld shower in a gentle setting if a jug of water doesn’t work for them. If they’re old enough to do it themselves, some kids will feel more comfortable if they feel like they’re in control of the water. To make the job seem a little more enjoyable, you may even try using a child’s watering can.

Purchase a rinse pail with a soft, contoured edge that you can place right against your baby’s forehead to help prevent water from splashing into their eyes while you rinse the shampoo from their hair. We prefer this one from Nuby.

How frequently should I wash the hair of a two-year-old?

Most toddlers need to shampoo their hair once every week. But this can change based on the hair’s texture, the environment, and how greasy it is.

Why do young children struggle to wash their hair?

Toddlers may not want to wash their hair if it hurts to put shampoo on their scalp or get their hair washed, for example. Toddlers may have trouble shampooing their hair for a number of reasons, such as when they breathe in water or get shampoo or soap in their eyes.