Black Children's Haircare Tips 101

First of all, I'll start with those of you who may have babies (assuming they are 6-12 months. If you have older kids, skip right past this section). Most young children are tender headed, so this especially applies to babies. Leave your baby's hair alone as long as possible, and if you like to braid it, save those styles for special occasions, like Christmas and Easter. If you do decide to braid it, do not braid it too tight. I recommend single, loose braids (as opposed to cornrows) for babies. If the hair is very short, then consider a baby headband.

I have a daughter, and I wash her hair, and while it is still wet, I comb it out with a wide toothed comb (the teeth should be around a centimeter apart if the baby had curly and tangly hair). Curly hair may not look delicate, but it is much easier to break off by combing and brushing than bone straight hair. The best thing for her hair might simply be a little olive oil. I braid it while wet so that it does not tangle overnight. I usually only braid it in the following manner: Four 2-3 inch sections in the top, one on each side (by the ears), and 2-4 in the back of the head.

Rubber bands are something I do not recommend. If you like ponytails, use elastic bands--the thicker, the better. Ribbons are my favorite things for kids who still put everything in their mouths because they are less of a choking hazard than plastic barrettes.

If your baby doesn't sleep too lightly, wait until she is asleep or at least on her way to slumber land before you comb her hair. You'll get a lot more done that way because she won't be moving around and wiggling too much.

Older Children

For older kids (2-12), a good tip is not to put any chemical relaxers in it. This includes texturizers, "texture softeners", or anything that says it's a non-chemical relaxer but includes a neutralizer. Children's hair changes a lot, and one of the most crucial times for hair vulnerability is between toddler-hood and adolescence. Those chemicals are not good for babies and children. At those young ages, my mother would either braid my hair herself, take me to a salon/family member to get it braided, and every two months, I'd get it lightly flat ironed or pressed.

Last but not least, parents should do their research on children's hair because it is different from adult hair in some ways.