Good Toddler Shampoo

Updated on December 22, 2008
F.S. asks from Portland, OR
31 answers

I have a two year girl who is super sensitive (with eyes and skin) with shampoos and complains of her eyes burning. We have tried over and over to teach her to close her eyes tight while washing her hair but being two this doesn't always happen!! I switched to many different shampoos and have still even used baby shampoo for her but I am still getting constant complaints from her about burning her eyes. If anyone has any great products I can use for her that would be so helpful. She has extremely curly hair so I also need suggestion of conditioner as well. Thanks so much.

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S.H.

answers from Medford on

F.,

Instead of switching shampoos, have you tried using other products for the bathtube such as bath visers, the child puts it on when it is time to wash the hair so the soap doesn't go into their eyes and then when you rinse the hair the water doesn't get into their eyes either. They also have a cup out that one side is flexible so that you can press it to the childs forehead and as you tilt their head back the water follows and doesn't come out the sides into their eyes. Also for conditioners, Johnson and Johnso has a shampoo/conditioner in one that works great, my daughters hair gets really tangled after taking a bath but since using that it is so easy to comb through now. I hope this helps some. I have experience with the soap and water in eyes, my 3 year old son hates getting his hair washed for that reason but I got him his magic cup and now bath is such a breeze. The products I mentioned you can find at Walmart.

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

We've had great luck with California Baby Super Sensitve products. They don't have extra fragrance, color, or any other extra junk that can irritate sensitive skin or eyes.

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C.G.

answers from Portland on

Have you tried Mustela? They make great products. I've been using their newborn and baby shampoos and my son has never seemed particularly irritated when soap does get in his eyes. I highly recommend their stuff.

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D.B.

answers from Richland on

I LOVE the kids Suave Shampoo and Conditioners! My son has extremely dry skin and sometimes psoriasis and the deep moisturizing one is awesome, it leaves his hair nice and soft and does not bother his eyes! I agree with a few previous posts, hanbg something on the ceiling, or let her pour water down her own face! My son does this and the intensity of his freak out sessions have lessened! Also one of those cups that are kind of soft where you can press it on their head when they look up works great too! Can be found at babies/toys r us! Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

D.J.

answers from Seattle on

Get her some swimming goggles. This is what worked for us. Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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N.B.

answers from Seattle on

Hi F.,
I rep for a manufacturing company that does not use any harsh chemicals in their products. They make Necessity based products. They are affordable, safer for your family and are awesome products. Most people do not know the high exposure they have to harsh chemicals through the everyday products they buy from the stores. It's pretty unbelievable to find out these shampoos, toothpaste, etc, have all the harsh chemicals in them. So if your wanting not only products that work very well and are affordable, but also do not have harsh chemicals like formaldehyde in them, and if you want your home to be healthy and safe give me a call. I'd love to share with you how you can get great products at reasonable prices that are safe. We have a great shampoo and conditioner for babies and kids.
N. B.

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L.M.

answers from Seattle on

hi,
we use a visor made for the bath tub we bought it a long time ago at baby r us.. or a wash cloth.. we also use paul mitchelle baby don't cry shampoo.. it is sold in salons.. or i found it at drugstore.com with free shipping better price for a larger size bottle!!!
Lenc

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E.N.

answers from Eugene on

Our little guy has sensitive skin, and we have used the Arbonne brand stuff with him, and it does actually seem to make a difference (a bit pricey at $22 for a container, but still on the first one, and it can be a body wash also).

M.B.

answers from Seattle on

F.,

I teach kids age 6 months to 5 years how to swim. One of my techniques for them is sticking in my head that might help you.

Since she's not always closing her eyes to rinse, get her used to water pouring down her face. She will eventually close her eyes. Start with clean water cupped in your hands and dribble it over her head from back to front. I use a 1-2-3 hummmmm cue as well, but that more of a cue for my kids when/if I put them under water. She should duck her chin down as well. Gradually increase the amount of water you dribble, and if you so choose use a colander and make it the "rainmaker". Once she's comfortable with that (this is not an overnight thing) try just putting her face in the shower with the 1-2-3 hummm.

My daughter will be 2 in March, I have had her in the water in classes for a year now, and she is a champ with the water in her face, but it took us a while to get there.

Good Luck,
Hope this helps,
Melissa

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K.R.

answers from Portland on

Nature's Baby Organics makes one of the safest shampoo/body wash combos. I get it at http://vitacost.com. Burt's Bee's baby shampoo and body wash is not as "safe" according to the http://cosmeticsdatabase.com/ but it also does not cause my baby to cry from burning in her eyes.

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M.S.

answers from Portland on

You should get a bath hat that keeps water from getting in her face. The best conditioners I found were Infusium 23 and Pantine. A leave-in conditioner might work well too.

G.M.

answers from Seattle on

Whatever shampoo you decide to use - the washcloth tricked worked for me at that age (and during allergy season, still helps my eyes not get more irritated). Helps if it's wrapped tightly so the water doesn't immediately absorb into it. My son's young enough that he won't even keep it over his eyes yet - just throws a fit when the water hits his face.

Good luck!

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B.Y.

answers from Seattle on

Give her a wash cloth to put over her eyes.
Also you could use a sun visor to keep the water out of her eyes.
Hope this helps
B.
www.SouthSoundDoula.com

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S.H.

answers from Portland on

Hi,

We use a "Shampoo Rinse Cup" that is designED to "seal" against the forehead and not let water into the face. I ask her to look up, place it on her head with one hand and hold her chin up with the other. It works great! You can find these at Baby's R Us- also check baby departments like Fred Meyer. They are around $6.

Good Luck!

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K.S.

answers from Portland on

Hi F.-

i have the same problem! But my daughter is almost 5...she just doesnt listen! but i would reccomend SUAVE kids tear free shampoo! its actually TEAR FREE ( I personally tried it and put it in my eyes and no pain!) but they have many great ones. some are shampoo/condition in one and others you ca buy separate. Also there is the one i get that is shampoo/ conditioner and its a bodywash too!! not only they smell great and are tear free but they are very inexpensive!!

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

We have our kids put a washcloth over their eyes when we rinse their hair and get them to tilt their head back. Also if you can, install a shower wand so you can bring the water right to them and it can go faster rinsing then a cup. We have 2 bathroom so that isn't a problem. As far as shampoos go, if you use either of these methods it doesn't matter because they won't get it in their eyes. I think all of them sting no matter what. Have you tried leaving a little conditioner in her hair instead of rinsing it out, that might help the curls a bit.

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N.D.

answers from Portland on

we use CA baby shampoos. you can get them at target as well as other 'earthy' stores. whatever you decide, please check out the cosmetic database so you are informed about the chcmicals in shampoos in general and the one you choose to use: http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/index.php?nothanks=1

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N.Z.

answers from Portland on

My mom always had me hold a dry folded washcloth over my eyes. This helped keep the water from running into my eyes. As she gets older teach her to lay down resting on her elbows and tipping her head back. That way the water won't get into her eyes.

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P.G.

answers from Seattle on

Lots of great tricks suggested that hopefully work for you (love the goggle idea!). For shampoo suggestions, have you tried Arbonne Baby Wash (it's for body and hair)? No fragrances, very gentle, natural product. Never had a complaint from my kiddos (they are 4 and 6 and still use it).

I can send you a free sample to try if you like. Just send me a personal message off board with your address.

Good luck!
Pam
www.pamelagreb.myarbonne.com

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S.P.

answers from Seattle on

I would suggest Burt's Bees or other natural shampoos. Something else that could work for you is a little buchet with a curved rim that you can put on your daughter's forhead, so no water gets in her eyes. Saw that at Target the other day (or could have been Wal Mart, just look around)

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C.P.

answers from Seattle on

I don't have any shampoo advice for you, but the best trick for us has been to give our daughter a dry washcloth and let her hold that over her eyes while we rinse. It seems to work well, and I think she likes being in control of it.

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L.R.

answers from Seattle on

stay away from sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate (SLS) that may be the problem.. do your research. we use baby avalon organic..

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C.R.

answers from Eugene on

Burt's Baby Bees tear-free shampoo (so gentle you could probably eat it!) Smells wonderful, cleans great, no nasty chemicals. Anything Burt's Bees has the most basic and natural ingredients, and effective too. And this is for any age!

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L.N.

answers from Portland on

My son is younger (10 months), but we use CA baby shampoo/body cleanser for both hair and body, and it has not hurt him at all. It does the trick for soft hair, clean skin, and is good for sensitive skin. Good luck!

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J.F.

answers from Medford on

I agree with Charlene. Try a good natural shampoo like Burt Bee's (which is what I use for my kids). However, even then you'll probably have to do something else as well. My kids freak out if they get even a little water in their eyes! I found this great cup for rinsing their hair, in the baby section at our Walmart, that minimizes the amount of water (or soap) that gets on their faces. It has a soft rubber side that molds to their head as you pour the water out so that it runs down the back of their head instead of down their face. One Step Ahead also has it on their website:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId...

Hope that helps!

-J.

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N.R.

answers from Seattle on

19 years ago i began using Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps on my then newborn for bathing. i am still using it as my own body wash and shampoo. it is unscented pure castile soap, all organic, fair trade, and has no chemicals. if you read the very short list of natural ingredients, you will feel good about using it. it is concentrated, so you will need to mix a bit up in advance with water, directions for proportions are on the bottle. i put my diluted mix in a hand soap pump container for convenience. doesn't irritate my eyes at all when it drips down during shampooing. you can find it at Super Supplements. Target even carries about half of the Dr. Bronners line, but i am not sure they have the Baby Mild. Good Luck!

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R.M.

answers from Portland on

Dr Bronner's soap is amazingly gentle and can be used for everything. They make a baby gentle formula, no scent, nothing artificial. Very good stuff. I use it for washing my face. I got it at Target. I am sure the natural aisle in Fred Meyer would have it, or New Seasons, or other fancy grocery stores.

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M.Z.

answers from Seattle on

Try California Baby. All their products are safe and natural. No yucky chemicals! You can find it at Target.

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A.G.

answers from Seattle on

I don't have a suggestion about shampoo or conditioner. Have you tried getting her to look up at you? That's what I have me two year old do. She looks up at me so I can rinse all the shampoo down her back. Most times I don't get any shampoo anywhere near her eyes.

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L.F.

answers from Seattle on

I have a two year old daughter as well and she also is very sensitive about her eyes at bath time. We were thrilled when we started using the Berts Bees baby body wash and shampoo. I havent heard my daughter complain yet!It smells amazing and made my daughters curly brown hair shine beautifully not affecting her natural curls. Good luck experimenting

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T.J.

answers from Seattle on

Try hanging some "butterflies" from the ceiling so she will look up at them while rinsing. Or try the boon spout cover, it's designed so kids can lean back into the "waterfall" to rinse their hair!

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