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??

Braid it overnight. Use leave in conditioner when brushing. And when you're washing it, comb it while there's conditioner in, before rinsing.

We regularly get stopped in the street from people who comment on how beautiful her hair is
Cool story bro

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.

Is there any need for people to be so unkind and judgemental?

@Skinfulnappies46

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.

Is there any need for people to be so unkind and judgemental?

I'd say OP is being unkind putting her preference for ridiculously long hair ahead of daughter's comfort.

No wonder teenage girls are rebelling in droves against the stereotypes set out for them.

Buy a wet detangling brush, a water spray and milkshake detangling spray

www.boots.com/wet-brush-original-detangler-black-hair-brush-10263861

I was told how beautiful my toddler's hair was. She didn't like having it brushed because it was curly at the end and tangled easily so we cut it to just below her ears.
It not about you.

@Twinkletwinklelittlecar

I was told how beautiful my toddler's hair was. She didn't like having it brushed because it was curly at the end and tangled easily so we cut it to just below her ears. It not about you.

Yes, I'm really shocked at OP's attitude to be honest. So unfair on her daughter.

"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"

This thread is an eye opener. I'm now seeing the upside to having all boys. I could not be doing with all that faff.

I'm left wondering what are we teaching our girls.

If it’s already at her bum it’s long enough. See if plaiting it works otherwise cut it shorter.

French plait and bonnet

Cut it much shorter, plait at bedtime.

Use detangler (1:4 conditioner to water solution) and comb with a wide tooth comb.

Long hair is cute but not practical for small children who are totally incapable of caring for it themselves.

What sprays, shampoo& conditioner do you use? Sometimes products you use can make the hair more static. my daughter has tight curls& I can only use cantu brand

A photo because the link wouldn't work. Search 'vented boar bristle brush'. It's synthetic bristles of course

Gosh I've just seen your other post:

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.

First of all, get a fucking grip. Secondly, it's not about you and your vanity it's about a child who is having to endure matter hair. If it wasn't a problem you wouldn't have posted about it. You are being selfish and need to be very mindful of the message you are sending your daughter about how she is valued for the way that she looks and that how she looks really matters to you

My dd has hair to a few inches above her waist and wont tie it up at night. I cut a cm off the ends myself quite regularly but I see your not keen to do that.

I also use proper hair masks and deep conditioning treatments every month or so.

She knows id she wants it long then that's the price she pays. She has the longest hair in her class. It looks nice but it's not the norm. I dont think other infant school mums need that kind of stress. I can comb her hair out in ten brushes max. If she had rough ends it would be hellish

My 10 year old DS has thick, longish surfer-style curly hair which gets matted easily (sport, sleep...) and he hates having it brushed but it looks like a bird's nest if it's not tamed...we have recently started using a leave-in conditioning treatment (we use the garnier 98% vegan hair treatment pots, banana or macadamia are our faves) after he's washed it - he gets a nice head massage which smells amazing, and it's soft and easy to deal with the next day - win-win situation! Oh and his hair looks fabulous too 😁 I've started doing the same (long curly hair), I whack the treatment on when my hair is semi-dry and then plait it, and leave it to dry naturally. My hair looks much better and is more manageable (silk pillow case user too). Good luck!

@MoltonSilver it's not really faff - I have to do it because of my hair type, even if cut short I would have to conditioner wash and use a satin pillowcase etc. It's perfectly normal for black/mixed race/coily hair especially to protect it at night
I would love poker straight easy hair but it's not to be

It does seem sad that op prioritises the compliments over the daily “battle with the brush”

My niece has the longest thickest hair I've ever seen on a 3 year old I've not seen adults with hair that thick tbh.
No joke she had a bob at 3 months old and it didn't stop.

Even my daughter has hair past her bum at 3 but more finer.

My sil just washes her hair, puts oils in and plaits it! That's all.

And I honestly doubt your dd has thicker hair than her so just condition, put some nice oils in and plait it up! Ideally two low pony tails then plaits. Or try learn the braided plaits. Two of them!

I wouldn't cut it either x

@FlibbertyGiblets

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

As a toddler I had lovely long hair, complete with ringlets - all the way down my back. It was a struggle to comb & brush it every single day. At age 5, my mum took me to the hairdresser & had it cut into a pixie. It was traumatizing & my dad was furious - my mum did it behind his back. But it was easier to care for, that’s for sure. Oh - and nobody could tell if I was a girl or boy when I had my play clothes on.

Cut it short until they're able to manage it themselves. Mine both have fine curly hair that mats like crazy. Life's too short- it does hurt and pull to brush it however much detangler you use and I don't want them to have an early lesson that women have to suffer pain or loss of time to look nice for others.