Putting Product in Todder's Hair?

Updated on January 17, 2012
J.P. asks from Schaumburg, IL
17 answers

Went to get my 4 y/o son's hair cut today (at a regular men's place) and the stylist asked if I used gel in his hair. Reminded me that last time I got my (just turned) 2 y/o daughter's hair cut (at a kids' place), the stylist was surprised I didn't use anything in her curly hair and recommended mousse. Obviously, I'm behind the times here in that two different stylists just assumed the kids had product in their hair. Does everyone use product in their children's hair? Is that why I see such cute kids' styles while my daughter's hair constantly looks like it hasn't ever seen a comb?

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K.H.

answers from Chicago on

Honestly, I don't as I am concerned about all of the chemicals used in them. And I haven't had any reason yet although my 2 yr old may need some help soon due to waking with dreadlocks each morning. :)

2 moms found this helpful

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Not everyone uses products but yes, a lot do. Yes that is why some are very cute styles on little ones' hair. My girl prefers her hair long and straight. I can usually persuade her to let me pull it into a ponytail or pull back the bangs. She has beautiful long hair but she is very active and it looks messy very easily.

When my son had "spiked" hair, we used gel.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I don't but then my kids probably look like yours. :)

3 moms found this helpful

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

a detangler might do wonders, and i don't really count that as "product" because it really is good to use on them to avoid those squirmy "mom it hurts!" moments. it also leaves their hair baby soft which is nice :)

my son is 5 and has always had curls. i didn't actually use "real" product (gel or mousse) until he was 3 or even 4, not sure. he is 5 now. mostly i just wet it to bring the curl out and it is fine. occasionally i will put a bit of mousse in it but that is only for special occasions.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

You are so funny. Your daughter must look just like me as I don't use any gel or anything. As for your son, well maybe she (the hairdresser is a mom maybe??) and maybe she puts gel in her son's hair. I was aghast when my stepmother bought my sons some hair gel and they were in their early teens. HA guess some of us just aren't up on the fashion all the time.

2 moms found this helpful
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B.P.

answers from New York on

I put a styling paste in my son's hair since it has gotten thicker since he was a baby. I used to be able to brush it to the side with my fingers and it would stay but not since he was 2 1/2 does it do that. I have been using the paste since he was 3 (he is almost 4 now), it's called Jonathan. I hate when kid's hair is cut straight across, especially on boys. So I use it so it stays brushed to the side. He doesn't like gel or hairspray but likes this product. I don't think a lot of moms use product every day, especially on boys but honestly, I think more people should!

2 moms found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Chicago on

My daughter (who will be three next month) has very curly blonde hair. My sister is a hair stylist and I have been using professional conditioner on her hair (you need very little) and a little bit of professional spray or gel, since she was about 18 months old. I don't completely wash out the conditioner after a bath. It makes the curls perfect, especially after waking up looking like a bird's nest!

We also use a spray bottle with some conditioner mixed in, for the days when we don't wash her hair. It makes it so much easier to comb.

2 moms found this helpful

H.G.

answers from Dallas on

When my son was 4 his was spiky on top so yes I used mouse and hairspray. My daughter is now 4 and I rarely do but will use a squirt of hairspray if im curling it. I personally don't think it will hurt. Its not like your bleaching it!

2 moms found this helpful
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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

It's the curls in your daughter's hair (don't know about your son).

Product keeps curls from becoming tangled matts or frizzy puffballs (which turn into tangledy mats). It's not a grown up thing with curly hair (or a times thing)... it's a THANK GOD thing. Kids can play and be kids, without having to be in tears every morning as their hair is "dealt with".

Curly hair, and how it needs to be treated/handled, is just astronomically different from straight or wavy hair. Caucasian curly and African/Australian curly are very different from each other, but SO much closer than caucasian/asian straight hair. It's not a vanity thing, it's "just" a different hair type standard of care.

I have a super long list of steps (that only takes 3-5 minutes, it just LOOKS overwhelming, and takes a while to type) on how to deal with curly hair, as well as several product recommendations (based on type of curl, and expense) if you're interested. Product is applied VERY DIFFERENTLY with caucasian curly hair. And how one washes, conditions, etc., is just all very, very different. I have natural ringlets, and have straightened it out to just about every variation of curl... so while there's a "basic set of how-tos" it also gets specific for type and size.

But, yes. If you're seeing kids with gorgeous shiny, bouncy, untangled, unfrizzy hair... their parents are following 'curly hair rules' and using products in their kids' hair.

2 moms found this helpful
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L.*.

answers from Chicago on

Not only does it help control their hair but it can prevent lice. My SIL told me that she has put hairspray in my niece's hair everyday all through school. It prevents lice from attaching to the hair. Enough of a reason for me to use it on them =)

1 mom found this helpful
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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I don't brush DD's curls. At all. My mom said she didn't with me and if she did, it looked like a nest. While my hair is now mostly just wavy, I still do very little to it.

What I do is condition DD's hair and get out the knots in the tub (we use Dove, per the suggestion of her pediatrician) and then let it air dry. If it's a special day, I try to wash her in the AM. As her hair has gotten longer, I simply use barrettes or tiny hair binders to keep it out of her face.

I don't use any other product on her and I rarely even use anything on myself.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

I don't put any styling product in my daughter's hair routinely. It does tangle quite easily and usually I have to use detangler to help brush it out. It does have some natural curl (more waves than curls, and it tends to curl up more on the ends, especially when wet) and once in a while I've used some "curl enhancer" to encourage it more, but even with regular brushing, it has a tendency to look like a hot mess. I do use conditioner in it when we wash it. I'll be interested to see what others have to say because I would love to find other ways to keep it from turning into a bird's nest at every opportunity.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.K.

answers from Chicago on

With my son (almost 4), I'm lucky if I can get him to stand still long enough for me to wet my hands and pat down anything that is sticking up...so no product for him! :)

1 mom found this helpful
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K.G.

answers from San Diego on

I've been putting products in both my daughters curly hair since they were infants. They also came home from the hospital with pony tales since they both were born with a head full of hair.

1 mom found this helpful

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

I don't on my oldest child (almost seven) because she has this beautiful thick hair and what would product do? Nothing...weigh it down. It doesn't need it...she'll probably never need it.

On my 20 month old, however...yes...I use all sorts of things on her hair in an ATTEMPT to keep it out of her eyes...not working. She has the straighest hair ever, kind've flyaway, and my husband doesn't want me to cut her bangs...so it's always in her eyes. I use mousse, gel, whatever after each bath to try and keep it to the sides...she won't wear barrettes, etc.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Chicago on

I use a detangler every now and again for my 2 year old daughter's hair - and it is pretty long hair - but that is all. Her hair is straight though. Curls might make a difference.

1 mom found this helpful
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V.L.

answers from Chicago on

I never put anything on my girls hair when they were that age. Why do it? They are just trying to get you to purchase their line of products at their store...just like 'you want fries with that'. I can see for a special occasion when you want their hair to look a particular way or for halloween, etc. But seriously, there is no reason for it.

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