Solutions for matted toddler hair while sleeping?

[WineGetsMeThroughIt]

I have a toddler with the most gorgeous long hair nearly down to her bum. But every morning we have a battle with the brush because she tosses and turns around and sleeps on her back which causes massive mats / birds nest effect on her hair. Is there a solution for helping with this? If I tie it up is makes it worse because the hair mats around the hair tie and I have to cut them out. I've heard about silk shower cap type things for adults to protect their hair but I doubt that she'd keep one on and also that they even make one in her size - she's got a very small head.

Any tips or tricks??

We have a silk pillow case and a tangle teezer brush and detangle spray. I also try to stop her getting it wet in the bath as the makes it worse. But I agree it is a nightmare and my toddler doesn't have particularly long hair.

Yes. Get her hair cut.
Long hair equals daily misery and upset at the mo.

Plait it before bed.

Plat her hair

Mane and tail do an excellent detangler

Dd gets very tangled hair but it’s not as long. Just below shoulder blades.

It goes from silk like to matted very easily.

The key for us is distraction - so she is concentrating on something else, a non tangle brush and holding the hair at the head as you get knots out.

Would be easier if a bit shorter but I’m guessing you like it long!

My 20 month old has hair down her bum when its wet, I basically use a lot of conditioner and detangler before I blow dry her hair at bedtime. It used to be a lot more matted but its slowly improved over time. She refuses to use a pillow and definitely wouldn’t sleep in a cap.

Ask yourself why are you keeping her hair long . You need to weigh up the pleasure you get from seeing her lovely hair and no doubt compliments from others against her discomfort everyday as you try to untangle it. I think on reflection you'll see it's all about your needs and not hers. Get it cut , it will grow back thicker and less likely to tangle. If she's genetically predisposed to have long hair wait till she's old enough to choose for herself beauty over discomfort.

Just get her hair cut. Personally, I tnink long hair on toddlers looks ridiculous, never mind its impracticality and discomfort for both you and her.

@WineGetsMeThroughIt

I have a toddler with the most gorgeous long hair nearly down to her bum. But every morning we have a battle with the brush because she tosses and turns around and sleeps on her back which causes massive mats / birds nest effect on her hair. Is there a solution for helping with this? If I tie it up is makes it worse because the hair mats around the hair tie and I have to cut them out. I've heard about silk shower cap type things for adults to protect their hair but I doubt that she'd keep one on and also that they even make one in her size - she's got a very small head.

Any tips or tricks??

OMG could have written this. My dd is the same. Terrible tangles everyday. It is a nightmare!

My dd is 10 and it is a constant battle. She doesn't want it cut.

Thought there might of been another way...

They absolutely do make bonnets for children. My neice has been wearing one since she was a toddler.
I'd at least give it a try and see if she can get used to it. If not, you can also buy hair net style caps that will keep braids in place.

beautifullybiracial.com/double-layer-childrens-satin-bonnet-2092-p.asp

Would one or two very loose plaits work?

My toddler's hair isn't that long - it's shoulder-length - but it's curly and gets matted easily. When it's really matted, I find either coconut oil or olive oil get tangles out well and painlessly. The downside is that her hair looks a bit oily for a few days. No idea how to prevent the matting though...

I have very long hair, I never go to bed without plaiting it. I also use a leave in conditioner.

Plait it at night

Also, a trim might help - cutting a couple of inches off will get rid of any damaged ends and thus make the hair much less tangle prone

I would say cut it. Mine both had short hair when little as they would be upset at brushing - eldest dd is 9 and now has hair to her waist, but she’s very sensible now and brushes it herself, likes having it in french braids to keep it need.

If it’s not an option to cut shorter then putting it into plaits would be the only way really.

[quote SirenSays]They absolutely do make bonnets for children. My neice has been wearing one since she was a toddler.
I'd at least give it a try and see if she can get used to it. If not, you can also buy hair net style caps that will keep braids in place.

beautifullybiracial.com/double-layer-childrens-satin-bonnet-2092-p.asp[/quote]

Amazing!! Thank you. I'm going to order one and make a fuss out of it with her so she'll think she's super lucky to wear it and hope that works lol.

Cutting it just isn't an option for me at this point. She is gorgeous and her hair is gorgeous. We regularly get stopped in the street from people who comment on how beautiful her hair is. It's lovely and thick and goes Into the most gorgeous curls at the bottom.

The matting isn't bad enough that she cries or refuses to have it brushed in the mornings. It just takes an extra few mins. There is no damage to her hair so no need to cut the bottom curly bit off. I will continue to grow it for a while yet, and perhaps when she's a bit older she can cut it and donate it to a children's wig charity or something special like that.

I too have very long hair, but don't have this problem as I always lift it up from under my head where I'm sleeping and drape it above my head and lay it on my pillow. I don't move around much so no problem.

I may try one of those conditioning sprays too.

Thanks everyone

A wet comb ( type of comb) and detangling spray.

Just cut it.

Much more fun for her, set your ego aside and consider what's best for your daughter.

DD has very curly hair that’s halfway down her back when wet (which is a rarity). Hates to have it washed or brushed, loves to get peanut butter in it . She will occasionally let me wet it for the reward of spraying in her own detangler.

I sit her on my lap and apply as many episodes of Hey Duggee as it takes to get her slack-jawed and oblivious to me picking out and detangling the matted bits with fingers, tangle teezer, pick-axe, etc

French plaiting, with leave in conditioner, os what works on my curly long haired daughter. I also don't let her wear it down very often because of the tangles. She is almost 9 and has had long hair (her very vocal choice) from a young age

My routine with my 2 year old: wash with conditioner, not shampoo, and comb when wet. Then use a silk pillowcase overnight, and attempt to tangle tease in the morning.

Tight plait at night
Tangle Teezer Wet Brush after washing together with Johnson & Johnson baby detangler spray which is just miracle stuff. Ive had problems with my dd long, fine hair matting for years and only wishe I'd discovered the J&J sooner

So her hair is about you. "cutting it just isn't an option for me at the moment"

Get over yourself and get her hair cut. Makes everything less stressful for everyone and less painful for DD.

Jesus.