DS wont let us wash his hair - any tips?

[eenybeeny]

DS is 22 months. he loves having baths and he used to let us wash his hair fine. Now he is refusing and getting REALLY upset if his head gets wet at all or we try to get him to lie back. He acts like he is being tortured and clings to us like a little monkey and just sobs! Its awful! So anyway tonight I settled for just sort of getting it wet but no shampoo. He has a bath almost every night but I am only really fussed about washing his hair once or twice a week or when he gets sweaty I know it doesnt have to be washed every day. Any advice?

Have you tried a shampoo hat - they are like visors which stop it getting in his eyes.

Also it may be that the shampoo is physically unpleasant for him - try switching brands.

Finally, DD hated having her hair washed till she saw me washing mine in the bath with her and then rinsing it with the shower and now she loves it.

Mind you we only wash it once a fortnight (unless she has physically rubbed mud into it!)

no I havent tried a shampoo hat. Even when I was trying to pour small amounts of water over the back of his head where it was nowhere near his eyes he was crying. He just doesnt want his head wet.

I will switch shampoos this is the same one we have used his whole life. He sees me wash my hair all the time and enjoys watching... poo I dont know. I know he will grow out of it eventually but I do need to wash it every once in a while and I hate feeling so cruel to him.

I used to take DS2 in the shower with me. He'd stand out of the main jet of water, and I'd quickly just wet his hair, and put the tiniest bit of shampoo on.

He still used to squawk though.

He would happily go in the shower after swimming though.

we dont have a shower. our house is ancient and the bathroom ceiling slopes really low so you have to duck getting in and out of the bath.

Okay, try this - get a damp flannel, place it on your head, then do the same to him. It won't run down his neck but it will get the hair wet. Then gently shampoo it when it's wet enough and then do the same to get the shampoo off.

Have you tried putting him in the bath with another child his age and showing that it can be fun to wash hair?

Fill the bath with 2 inches of water (no bubblebath)and ask him to lie on his back in it.

I found this easier to do than hold a screaming child under the shower with one hand and try and wah his hair with the other

ooh I will try that flannel and 2 inches of water thing they both sound promising. Thank you! If I can find another child for him to bathe with I will do that too!