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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

hair washing - help needed

19 replies

amber5 · 23/03/2006 19:35

My ds 3 yo hates having his hair washed .
We have tried lying in the bath, using a shower spray, covering his eyes, letting him do it himself, and always use 'no more tears' shampoo. We've tried doing it fast (getting it over and done with) and doing it slowly (attempting to keep him calm). He can't say why he doesn't like it, but he screams hysterically throughout.
Any suggestions most welcome.

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spursmum · 23/03/2006 19:37

Would swimming goggles or a snorkal mask help?
Ive tried it but my ds just screams the place down. I swear people think Im killing him.
Yet he doesn't mind getting his hair wet in the swimming pool! Kids, huh?

SoupDragon · 23/03/2006 19:50

Just do it and get it done.

hana · 23/03/2006 19:52

i agree with soup dragon - dd went through this from about the same age ( and is still sometimes same) but it's a not negotiable area and she soon gets over it. that pro b doesn't help though, does it?!

paolosgirl · 23/03/2006 19:55

We had this with DS - just do it and get it done doesn't help when a great hulking 3 year old is kicking and screaming and trying to climb out of the bath! We got him to use goggles - treated him to a pair of his choice (within reason), and made out he was a diver etc, and he's been a lot better since.

hana · 23/03/2006 20:01

I've held dd down lots of times as well, I've been soaked as well!

hana · 23/03/2006 20:02

sorry, guys, I'm not v constructive, hope you have some better bathtime hairwashing sessions soon

nulnulcat · 23/03/2006 20:13

its a relief to find out im not the only one with this problem, dd acts like she is being tortured water ends up everywhere but as soon as it is over a nd done with she sits down and carries on playing! i do the just get it over and done with as quick as possible

7up · 23/03/2006 21:30

my ds 17months hates it also, i just lay him down in the bath and quickly do it with him crying and once its done he sits and plays and forgets about it

Original poster

amber5 · 23/03/2006 21:34

and this is why i love mumsnet.
thanks guys

OP posts:

kid · 23/03/2006 21:39

We use a cup to rinse DS's hair. (He actually hates the whole of bathtime not just hair washing!) We tell him we will use the cup 5 times and count as we go. DS never seems to notice if we repeat the same number a few times!

brimfull · 23/03/2006 21:51

ds is exactly the same,screams blue murder.Neighbours have even commented on it

dreamteamgirl · 23/03/2006 21:56

Hiya
We never used to pour water over DS' head. Instead we wet a spongue and wiped it over his head so no water ran down onto his face. TBH he doesnt even notice we are washing his hair :-)

expatinscotland · 23/03/2006 21:58

dd1 likes to play w/an old watering can in the bath. well, i get hold of it and 'pretend' it accidentally splashed her hair.

and she has thick, long, wavy hair.

it takes f*7king forever. but she doesn't scream, so that's what i do.

MrsWood · 24/03/2006 19:07

I've already said this on another thread - has he got a favorite character such as Bob The Builder or soemthing like that? Buy the doll of his favorite character and use the character to wash his hair i.e. YOU'RE NOT doing it - Bob The Builder IS! Our dd laughs her head off when "silly / naughty dolly" washes her hair... She really dones't mind since we introduced that method. Washing hair is a doddle!

peaches27 · 18/04/2006 18:13

DGS hates it too (3yo) but hated baths until he came to live with me age 18m. We just keep doing it, wash it quickly with a sponge and ignore his screaming. I find once a week is enough to be honest, we try and keep his hair short ... but thats another story!

cece · 18/04/2006 18:19

Just do it - DS had it done fast. DD has it slower and lying with her head tipped back. They know Sunday is hair washing so no arguements!

puddle · 18/04/2006 18:29

I tend towards the just do it approach too but when ds was being a real pain I let him do it himself - ie he put the shampoo ion and had a rub. Bath mirrors are good too (ELC used to do one) and he liked making his hair hedgehoggy or into a tele]ubbie arial (only works if their hair in long-ish though).

I do sympathise though - horrid holding them down and ironically you're then much more likely to get it in their eyes which perpetuates the problems.

Dottydot · 18/04/2006 19:44

I'd agree with just doing it - ds1 went through a stage like this and ds2 is currently in it! So we wash hair once a week and get it done as quickly as possible!!

ProfYaffle · 18/04/2006 19:47

We bought dd a doll to take into the bath with her, she washes dollies hair and I wash her hair, using DTG's sponge method. She grumbles a bit if too much water gets on her face but doesn't have the screaming ab dabs anymore.

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