So, how do you wash a toddlers hair without meltdown?

[fizzbuzz]

Dd 17 months old has long, curly thick hair, which is a complete nightmare to wash.

Hates having it washed and screams blue muder. Will not lie down in bath and will not tip head back. Dp once resorted to chucking a jug of water over her .

Ds had one of those shield things which TBH was complete shite, as loads of water used to dribble through.

Her hair is washed once a fortnight if that, and is usually encrusted with two weeks worth of food by this time. If it isn't washed at this point it becomes a horrid crunchy health hazard.

Any advice?

My minded lo (girl) hated bath and hair wash and screamed when her face got wet. The best action is actually to desensitise them to it by washing it daily, regardless of noise. Don't stop if she cries as this reinforces the screaming because the washing stops when she does this. Ignore screaming. Also take swimming regularly if possible as this will also get her used to having water on her face.

poor excuse i know but typing one handed, dd2 cuddled up fast asleep in my arms

Kathy, it's not deliberately long, I've never got round to taking her to a hairdresser, but just trim her fringe a bit, but she was born with a lot of hair.

However my fringe trims are making her look like she has a very stylish mullet , so she is being taken to the hairdressers when the fringe is a bit longer.

Thanks for all tips, am very interested in combing through technique, although she has gone to bed with crusty hair again tonight . Will try that tomorrow

I bath with my Dds when we wash their hair. I then get them to put their head back onto my tummy whilst I wash the hair. Then I can make sure no water goes in the eyes and it is much easier to direct. HTH

My Dd has thick curly hair too, and it really is easier if you keep it chin length. I just trim it myself - I'm no good at cutting hair, but the good thing about curls is that they hide the wonky bits!

The only way I can wash Dd's hair is to get in the bath with her and use a flannel for wiping the shampoo off - takes ages, but seems to stop most of the water getting in her eyes. I also bought some kids' shampoo and conditioner from Superdrug with monsters on the bottle - she's fascinated by the pictures, and we sing a little song about them while we wash - all helps to distract her!

Well dd started to hate having her hair washed after I think a couple of nights where she got soap in her eyes. Anyway, after dh tried tori's 'get on with it' method (which just made the bathtime a horrible experience of terror and screaming - not nice for anyone )... he decided it had to be another approach.

Well, I am v proud of dh that he seems to have cracked it. We left it for a break to get over the terror bit and then just rinsed it a couple of times. Now, he does three cups all over her hair (1-2-3) and then she has a towel to wipe her eyes (and some praise) and ditto for rinsing. She doesn't enjoy it but endures it. Think she feels a bit more in control this way - she knows what's happening. And of course lots of playing hair-washing with dolly and that as well.

I think as this thread shows, there are always creative approaches to things rather than just let them scream unnecessarily.

Dd (2.6) is getting used to it only now. Some days are fine and she tips her head back, some days are bad and I have to force her to tip her head to rinse the shampoo. Jug does not make it better. Special jug with soft rubbery side (from Mothercare) did not help either (dd thinks it is a toy).
I do it as fast as I can... Power shower, on its gentlest setting, so lots of water and it is over quickly.
But some days it is still AAAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!!
At least, even when it is bad, as soon as the hair is rinsed she forgets about it all and plays nicely again.