Combing 2 year old's hair

[nusch]

My 2.5 yo has gorgeous shoulder length blonde hair but in last few weeks she will NOT let me comb it. Turning into a sort of matted rug at the back.

OK I could get it cut short but don't want to unless I have to, it looks so lovely. Plus she loves having clips, bows etc put in it (but no, that doesn't persuade her to have it combed).

Tried anti tangle shampoo but she hates shampooing even more than combing. And I know she doesn't need shampoo at this age anyway. Last night I told her a long and involved story about "once upon a time there was a little girl who wouldn't let anyone comb her hair.." and she let me do about a third of it but I'm pretty sure that trick will wear off soon.

Any tips?

nusch - I had the same prob with dd who has lovely long hair. Tried the old talking hairbrush trick - "Mr Hairbrush" talks to her as I am brushing and tells her all the things he is finding in her hair - like cakes, chocolate etc. Very silly but it works - also do this with "Mr Toothbrush"

Not only is there an anti-tangle shampoo - but there is also a spray. My DD uses it all the time - whenever she brushes her hair and it'll help remove the tangles more easliy.
Works well on Barbie's too !!

My dd hates having her hair brushed, and it used to get into a right state, like a big tangled mess on the back of her head. I now use Paul Mitchell anti-tangle spray, it costs about £7 but it's a HUGE bottle which has lasted me ages, and it makes it a much less painful experince for both of us!!!

I have one of those species of little darling too. What a good idea to get that spray. Don't completely rule out the haircut idea, though, it solves the problem, might break the habit and at this age it grows back really fast. Short hair is also cute and the extra attention from others over the new look(you can prime them!) seemed to help my dd realise it's important to take care of yourself, and she takes more pride in herself now.

Hi, My dd is nearly 3 1/2 and I am still having major problems with brushing/combing her hair. Even day it is a battle to comb her hair. Also use the anti tangle spray and even if she has had a shower and had her hair washed and condition (which after having it conditioned it is so easy to comb) she still runs away and hides and doesn't make the job any easier. At times I just give up/it and let her go with no hair combed for the day (we aren't going out the house by the way). I would like to know at what age does this get any easier?

Anti frizz serum works a treat on tangled hair. If you put a few drops on while the hair is wet you can ease out most of the matting with your fingers before you have to get the dreaded hairbrush out. You don't need the expensive brands, Boots and Marks and Sparks do their own version much cheaper. The bottles last for ages.

Thanks for that tip, Slug. I'll be trying it tonight on dd2's waistlength hair.

Ladies

Have you considered that it might be painful for them to have their hair combed?

I only know about this as my DW has been reduced to tears when she had longer hair because even brushing it without too many knots in it was so painful.

"Really, Simonhoward?? Good heavens, I'd never have thought of that, if you hadn't been here to point it out."

I find your message incredibly patronising, to say the least.

SueDonim, that's a bit harsh don't you think? Not like you.

It just got my goat (or should that be yak??) Copper. Talk about stating the obvious; I found it very condescending to be talked to as though I am stupid.

I used to have very long thick hair as a kid and I hated having it brushed in the mornings. I became an issue when Mum went out to work earlier than dad so brushing it became his job. (!) My Indian friend at school was very surprised to hear me moaning about it, and suggested I plait it at night, then it doesn't get matted. She was right, it worked wonders, it was LOADS easier to handle in the morning. Also using conditioner helped loads, and it was much less painful to brush rather than to comb. My Dad even got the hang if doing plaits for school after a while (hope this doesn't sound patronising to anyone..... )

Steppemum, just what I was gonna say! My dd is 2.7 and has mid length hair. I usually leave her plaits in overnight or plait it at bed time. Luckily she loves having plaits so stands still while I do them. I also use a spray-in conditioner. She still says every morning "don't brush my hair" but I get it done without tears. I had waist length hair as a kid and my mum would bash my knuckles with the hairbrush as I tried to grab the hair she was yanking in an attempt to save me from being scalped. I don't recommend that one but will enjoy telling my dd when she gets older so she appreciates my efforts.

Suedonim

Sorry to have tried to be helpful.

Until my DW told me how much it hurt her to have her hair combed I never knew anyone could have problems with it that way unless it was knotted and someone was trying to pull a comb or brush through without due care. None of my family has ever a problem with it.

I'll think I'll shut up and not offer advice from now on then if I think someone may take offence.

simon, I'd far rather you advised me than flirted with me keep at it!

nusch, could she brush her hair herself? My dd did from a very early age as she hates me doing it. A brush with wire bristles with plastic bobbles on the ends works well. If you have a little mirror at her eye level it might work. Most little girls like to preen!

Never brush, always comb long hair - a brush will damage the hair and only cause future tangling. Comb when damp and work from the bottom of the hair - find a tangle, work it out and only then move further up.

And I hope I dont sound patronising - just speaking from experience with knee length hair.

grommit
Tried the "what is the comb going to find in your hair" trick and she loves it! joining in herself with everything that she has eaten today and throwing in a few more surreal things too (a panda...daddy..the Highlands...etc!). She won't quite sit still long enough for me to do the whole thing but is happy to negotiate left side one night, right side the other.

Also I've persuaded dh that we don't need to wash/shampoo very often so she doesn't go to bed with wet hair which I think was part of the problem.

What a relief, I knew this one had to be solveable.

My dd2 (2yr)has very curly ringlet hair which looks gorgeous but is an absolute nightmare. When she wakes up in the morning it looks like shes had an electric shock but she won't let me brush it obviously cos it hurts. To make it look halfway tame i either have to totally wet it or spray loads of de-tangling spray on it and leave it, or stick it back in a pony tail. Don't know where she gets it from, the rest of the family have all got quite straight hair.
Nusch, I've never heard that they don't need shampoo-why is that?