What to do about this baby bed head?

[YesItsMeYesItsMe]

My two older kids had very tight curls, and I think because this baby’s hair is straighter it’s longer and therefore looser, and so as she sleeping, it’s getting very frizzy and it looks damaged to me.

Any suggestions on what to do because I don’t want it to get damaged of course. I have brushed it through with a tangle teaser and wet it but it still looks like this, today is the worst yet!

Can you pop a bit of conditioner through it? (Maybe one for sensitive skin?). Dd 1 had hair like that way back when and that's what I did as I recall

Yep definitely put some conditioner in - don't stint- you can tease out more easily when it's worked through.

Great thanks! Can’t believe I didn’t think of that myself 😂😂 I always just left the older one’s hair to its own devices.

Happens to my kid too
I use some oil and it’s fine :)

My daughter's is like this. Loads of conditioner, and when it's longer put it in a plait every night (assuming you keep it long).

Leave-in conditioner or hair oil. And if it still feels rough at the ends once it’s de-frizzed, I would bite to bullet and cut the damaged lengths off.

My toddler has loose curls and damaged hair at the back of her head. Even with all the sprays etc, there was no getting away from the fact that the hair itself was damaged and would still tangle - I trimmed it until the rough-feeling bits were gone and it doesn’t get knotted anymore. Her hairstyle is admittedly odd, but at least she is comfortable and well-kempt 😁

She needs to wear a sleep bonnet.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hat-Hut-Adjustable-Sleeping-Toddler/dp/B0B7MJ24PT/ref=sr11_7?keywords=baby%2Bsilk%2Bbonnet&qid=1704800594&sr=8-7&th=1&psc=1

Silk pillowcases are supposed to help prevent this - or maybe I'm just a sucker for marketing. I got some from amazon that are machine washable, for my dd (precious first born lol)

Lots of conditioner, or even olive oil first and then rinse out with shampoo.

Tie it up at night after brushing. When it's longer plate it. Keeps the knots away.

If you need to cut it, keep it short all over, it will grow and actually may make it thicker which in turn may sort out some of the matting problem.

Coconut oil would also work as a natural alternative if you don't want to use conditioner

Satin or silk pillowcases make a huge difference

Ok well that would be incredibly adorable.

Thanks all for the advice!! Super helpful.

I wouldn’t recommend a sleep bonnet for a baby. It could slip over her face and restrict her breathing. Massive SIDS risk. I would start using a leave-in conditioner spray and a wide-toothed comb. My kids (and I) started with super-fine hair like this. (More like cat hair than human…) It will thicken up over time, but in the meantime, just treat it gently and trim it every couple of months. (A few well-meaning people recommended shaving my daughter’s head because she looked like a mini Courtney Love for a while. I couldn’t bring myself to do that.)

Btw, I suspect that fleece lining in the hood has a lot to do with the current hairdo. It creates static every time it goes up and down. Maybe get a stretchy cotton (t-shirt fabric) beanie to wear underneath.

Silk pillowcase or bonnet

This.
No to sleep bonnet.
Yes to wide tooth comb, conditioner, a little serum, just don’t overdo it, as hair can look greasy.
When they get older, tangle spray and wide tooth comb and plaits

We use detangle spray, ours is asda own brand but other brands exist. Use quite a lot, so the hair all feels damp.

groceries.asda.com/product/baby-childrens-hair-care/little-angels-by-asda-detangle-spray-200-ml/1000195752106?&cmpid=ppc--ghs----google---_-dskwid-_dm&s_kwcid=AL!11432!3!!!!x!!&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA-vOsBhAAEiwAIWR0TdJnZks0zkE4pVH-WPhlF6Q85aDAp8_jn0ZnG8v_OA3A-9f5hQ77AxoCvjYQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Never brush it dry. Lots of conditioner and a leave in conditioner.

Fleece hoods and hats make it worse, you can get satin lined beanies for going out in the cold. Here

Definitely get a silk pillowcase

Can babies have pillows? I'd rather a hat than a pillow.

@StrictlyJowita She’s nearly 2 and had a pillow for a while by now but I appreciate your point!

Night 1 of hair oil and silk pillow case seems to have worked wonders! (Definitely probably used too much oil this morning but seems to soak in really nicely).

Wondering if people would recommend getting her hair cut anyway? I didn’t take my boys until they were 3 ish but as I said their hair was v different. What benefit would it be other than the fact she does need a fringe (hates clips and hair bands!)? Would it change her from this baby hair to more thick/kiddy hair? I don’t know how that would happen from a cut and also not sure if I’m ready to lose the baby hair 😄

Hair grows as it grows. People think that starting again changes the texture when the reality is that it simply doesn’t look as ratty. The hair would still be fine and split at the bottom, and because it grows so slowly, the top part is healthier and thicker. I would definitely think it would improve the appearance and the maintenance for the time being if she had a trim. (Also understand the reluctance to lose the fluffy baby hair.)