To not wash my toddlers hair for 2 weeks

[chardonm]

So I am on maternity leave with a one-week old. My DH is working from home and we also have a toddler who is 20 months old (DS).
He has longish hair - to the shoulders. DS has had an ear infection that has not cleared for a while - we are on round 3 of antibiotics. We have no plans to leave the house for the next two weeks unless absolutely necessary.

Does anyone know whether it would be better not to wet his ears while he takes his course of antibiotics (14 days) and whether his hair will get horribly gross?

I think you'll need to wash it. I'v spoken to people who have said their hair hurts if they go too long without washing it.

Yes your scalp will hurt if you leave it too long without washing - but two weeks is not approaching that time, particularly not for a toddler, who won't produce as much oil on his scalp as an adult would.

Keep smelling it, for sure. But IME toddler hair can go much longer than you think it should without washing.

Two weeks will be fine plus you're staying at home so does it really matter what it looks like?
To those saying cut it if he doesn't like it washing, would you suggest the same about a girl with shoulder length hair?

Two weeks is far too long not to wash it. Cotton wool with a plaster or tape to keep it in place and just use a very small jug. I know it wouldn’t be as bad as an adult but it wouldn’t be pleasant and could really begin to get itchy.

Am I being stupid? But, if you are worried, why not cut it?

I only wash my kids hair once a week after swimming lesson and neither have ever had greasy or smelly hair, if your staying home anyway though does it really matter?

I had an ASD toddler with recurrent ear infections who was also terrified of water on his head. Didn't wash his hair for 4 years. No one noticed. Even I couldn't tell from my others. They don't sweat much...

Don't tell anyone I said so! 😁

Maybe you could just sort of wipe his hair with a flannel and water if it looks a bit grubby he’s only little and I’m sure it won’t do his head any harm not being washed . I suffer with ear infections and getting water in my ears makes them worse

Can't cut it for religious/cultural reasons. I mean obviously I would if it was imperative but if there is a way to avoid. I put it back in little bun on top of his head and am going to do the flannel thing.

I'd braid it if it is distressing on a normal day, my DS goes absolutely insane getting his hair washed. I often use a soapy flannel. Gently wipe his scalp and locks, I use a pick of shampoo less rubbing out.

To add it won't smell after a fortnight in winter. I've left my DS a fortnight sometimes it isn't worth the distress it causes. Braid, clean scalp with flannel, some coconut oil, once the time is up shampoo hair before wetting it, it'll lift all the oil if you wet first it's hard to get coconut oil out. I hope his ear infection clears up soon.

These are good in future

www.amazon.co.uk/Children-Shampoo-Shower-Shield-Color/dp/B00FYNRKLA

ENT specialist said use new blue tac in ear canal

Works brilliantly

To those saying cut it if he doesn't like it washing, would you suggest the same about a girl with shoulder length hair?

Yes, my DD’s are old that having long hair is a luxury and if they complain about any aspect of its care then I’ll take them to have it cut.