Any tips for washing a toddler's hair?

[Jane7]

Sorry for basic question, but I've not done it much until now (dd hasn't had much hair!) and my first attempt was disastrous as I think I got soap in her eyes. She hates lying flat in the bath so it's no good trying to tip her back so the water doesn't run in her eyes. She will only sit upright. I tried to get my partner to shield her eyes from the jug of water which I used to rinse shampoo off but it didn't really work. Is there a knack to this?

Another vote for the (dry) flannel for DC to hold over their own eyes, then come in really fast with a hand towel for drying everything off. I also put shampoo onto dry hair, to minimise the number of times I need to pour water over DS. Plus doing everthing really fast while loudly proclaiming reassuring things

DS (3.7) has finally stopped screaming when I wash his hair, but still only gets it done every 3 weeks or so as he hates it sooooo much.

We have the mothercare jug, dd still goes bonkers as soon as she sees me reach for it, starts cocking her leg over the side of the bath and screaming, "OUT! OUT!"

I just grin and bear it.

I have always just poured water straight over my DCs heads from being tiny so it didn't become an issue. I guess that won't help you now though.

Depending on the age of the child could you get them to pour it themselves.

We do the dumping water quickly method too - then offer a towel or flannel to wipe eyes on. DD 2.8 is used to this now and doesn't protest.

We put a small plastic chair in the bath and they sit on it in turn and play 'hairdressers'. They look at the ceiling so Hairdresser Mummy can make sure the water runs down their back and not into their eyes.

at self.

Hairwashing used to be a total nightmare for us until a friend recommended a Rinser from JoJo Maman Bebe. It's a sort of silicone tiara with a handle on the front which you fit over the eyes and ears. It really stops the water getting onto his face and ears. Now instead of hysterical screaming, followed by yelling from my husband and general trauma all round, we do the hairwashing in the bath in about 3 minutes and DS hardly complains at all. However it still takes two of us to wash his hair, one to wash and one to hold the rinser in position.

We started playing a great game with the shower, spraying his toes, fingers etc, then one quick spray on head and all over! But he's always liked the bath and water games

There is this DVD called I Can Wash My Hair, that kids watch just before washing their hair and it makes hair washing look really fun and kids seem to really like it, and copy what the kids in the DVD do - my little ones now put their heads back, close their eyes and even sometimes ask to have their hair washed, big improvement from where we were a few months ago - when I once spent nearly 20 mins getting my squirming, screaming 2.5 year old into the bath to wash her hair. You can get it from www.icanforkids.com

Fast and not too often! I use only a smidgen of shampoo on DS2 (18mo) once a week or once a fortnight if he isn't too dirty. Otherwise I just wipe with a damp sponge to get rid of the more obvious food.

I also hold try to hold a hand towel over his face - with mixed success.

DS1 is finally at 4.3 happy to allow me to wash his hair if I hold a hand towel over his face. Now if someone has any ideas about cutting a 4yo's toe nails (but that's a whole new thread)...

Good to know its not just us with this problem. I wash my 2.5 yr old hair about once a month, but she's getting slightly more co-operative now, I've found getting her to lie back in my arm to a semi-prone position and using my other hand to hold her chin up, whilst a helper gets the hair wet and quickly shampoos it works ok, but means I need a second pair of hands!

i am very brisk and businesslike about it

folded flannel held over eyes

make them look up (are there any spiders on the ceiling?)

ignore any fuss

Simple shampoo - DS doesn't notice if it gets in his eyes.