D.C. asks from Long Beach, CA on September 08, 2008
Styling a 1 Yr Old Girl's Hair
Any tips on getting an 11 month old (as of this Friday) to sit still? She finally has some hair, but it gets in her eyes. Sometimes I can put it up in a ponytail on top of her head while she's nursing, but other times she won't stay still for that either. Last week she pulled the pony band out and chewed on it while the sitter was getting her breakfast ready, so I haven't tried a ponytail since then. I've been trying to use barrettes, but her hair's so fine they don't stay in, and she won't sit still long enough for me to put them on nicely. She started walking a few weeks ago.
Am I stuck with cutting her hair and giving her bangs until she's old enough to sit still while I style her hair?
So What Happened?™
Thank you for the tips everyone! I did her hair this morning, and sat her on my dresser in front of the mirror. She was so busy looking at a figurine I have that I was able to get a topknot ponytail in and wrap it around 7-8 times, so it should stay in. I'm going to use your suggestions to either keep her on a countertop or in her high chair every morning when I do her hair.
Featured Answers
P.R. answers from Santa Barbara on September 09, 2008
Well, my daughter didn't have enough hair for clips or ponytail holders til she was well beyond two (grin), but I have learned a few distraction techniques in the meantime. I sometimes give her a brush so she can "brush" my hair while I do hers. I've been known to put a clip in her hair when she's on the toilet (normal rules of etiquette go out the door with a wiggly one!) or at the table eating -- basically anytime she's focused on something else. It took her awhile to learn to leave them in, but she's pretty much got it down now. She seems to only take them out if they start to slip. I try to get the tightest clips available -- the ones that are metal and triangle-shaped that bend one way to open and the other way to close seem to stay in the best. A little hairspray can help keep it in place. And one last note: I always take them out before nap time, or at least I used to (she's older now and it's not such a concern). I didn't want her taking them out and putting them in her mouth and choking.
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C.B. answers from San Diego on September 09, 2008
I sit my daughter in the high chair and give her one of her favorite treats, and then you just have to be quick! Try using a squirt bottle and dampening it and then just pull it up and use the little rubber bands by Goody. They stay really well and the damp hair will help too. Tell her how good she is and she will get used to it!
1 mom found this helpful
More Answers
P.R. answers from Santa Barbara on September 09, 2008
Well, my daughter didn't have enough hair for clips or ponytail holders til she was well beyond two (grin), but I have learned a few distraction techniques in the meantime. I sometimes give her a brush so she can "brush" my hair while I do hers. I've been known to put a clip in her hair when she's on the toilet (normal rules of etiquette go out the door with a wiggly one!) or at the table eating -- basically anytime she's focused on something else. It took her awhile to learn to leave them in, but she's pretty much got it down now. She seems to only take them out if they start to slip. I try to get the tightest clips available -- the ones that are metal and triangle-shaped that bend one way to open and the other way to close seem to stay in the best. A little hairspray can help keep it in place. And one last note: I always take them out before nap time, or at least I used to (she's older now and it's not such a concern). I didn't want her taking them out and putting them in her mouth and choking.
2 moms found this helpful
K.O. answers from San Diego on September 09, 2008
Try to find these really small plastic bands (they almost look like the things I had to put on my braces when I was 12) they are clear - the ones I have are by Goody - I have only been able to find them in the smallest size at Target - this was the only thing my daughter couldn't get out of her hair (I was worried she'd swallow the stuff she pulled out) but I could still get it out of her fine hair without much torment (some things got so tangled it was a mess)
I would just keep pulling the top and sides into a topknot pony tail (her hair wasn't long enough for a real back ponytail) - she still perfers to wear her hair this way with the back down - she is now just over 3 and has hair down to the middle of her back - she doesn't like getting her hair done but will sit for the few seconds it takes me to whip it up and I think it still looks cute, though not complicated
Good Luck
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J.H. answers from Los Angeles on September 08, 2008
I got those teeny tiny rubber bands made out of bright colored plastic. I would have to trick her into getting a ponytail. Usually when she was eating or someone was entertaining her, or asleep. If I could get it in without her realizing it, it'd stay. I felt more comfortable with the tiny ones for choking reasons. But for the longest time I quit using anything because my daughter was choking on one!! It was scary!
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I.T. answers from San Diego on September 10, 2008
Yes, sitting her in her high chair or portable chair (BebePod) has worked for me since she was 2 months old. I would set it on the bathroom counter facing the mirror and give her items to play with while I combed her hair. You definitely have to be quick because they don't hold still but they usually aren't fighting you either.
I use tiny rubber bands which are sold in a "pill box" type package. Six compartments/colors with about 50 pieces each (about 300 pieces total). You can buy them at Wal-mart for about $3 or $4 per box. They are very stretchy but don't get tangled and/or pull baby's hair. I might put bows over them or tie ribbons.
Another product that's great for babies with little hair is the "noslippyhairclippy". They are pretty pricey ($8-$9 each), but they STAY on- even if it's only 5 strands of hair. http://hairclippy.com/ Check out their deals you could get them for about $5 clearanced out. They are definitely adorable especially the specialty ones (Puppies, kitties, etc.) Due to the price, you might want to only get one or two SPECIAL ones if at all. I actually bought one at Bergstroms in Anaheim, so they can be found at certain retail locations. I'm sure they're listed on the site.
Good luck!
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C.B. answers from San Diego on September 09, 2008
I sit my daughter in the high chair and give her one of her favorite treats, and then you just have to be quick! Try using a squirt bottle and dampening it and then just pull it up and use the little rubber bands by Goody. They stay really well and the damp hair will help too. Tell her how good she is and she will get used to it!
1 mom found this helpful
L.W. answers from Las Vegas on September 08, 2008
My daughter is 19 months and it's a big challenge just to comb her hair. I have a little spray bottle and spritz her hair and then let her play with it and the combs or brushes while I'm trying to do her hair. I also use the teeny tiny little plastic rubber bands to hold her hair. My daughter also has very fine hair and clips don't work at all. I usually just put the top up in a pony or 2 little pigtails on top and do it as quick as I can because she hates to be messed with. Good luck!
L.
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W.A. answers from Honolulu on September 09, 2008
Hi there..my daughter was exactly the same way, around the same time as yours. I was at witts end and finally one day I was out buying stuff for my dogs nad noticed these little rubber bands for doggies hair nad figured, heck I'll try that. LOVED IT. I found that those little bitty ruber bands, snag free plastics, work GREAT. They come in tons of colors and are about the size of your ring finger. Once you get that on there..there is no way she can slide them out, cause they grab the hair, and pulled and tugged they wont come out..well as long as you put them on well. To take them off a really quick way is to use the end piece of a regular comb and poke it under one section of the bands and pull it straight directly up and it unwinds itself perfectly. Or my girlfriend just snips it with a nail clipper before bath time. We love these. Dont know what we'd do without them. She's 3 almost and we still use them..just the bigger ones. Hope that helped. I put a link below so you can see what I mean. They make them in a bunch of sizes.
http://mp.hairboutique.com/Smoothies-Snag-Free-Pony-Assor...
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A.M. answers from Los Angeles on September 08, 2008
My daughter just turned one and thinks its funny when she takes her pony tail, bow, head band, hat etc off her head. I tell her in a silly voice but serious..." no no no, this stays on your head! its makes your prettiness stand out!"
hehe :)
I just keep taking her hands down when she goes to grab it. Also try distracting her. look at that bird outside, look at that cool toy, do you see,...??? this will help you get what you want done with her hair, at least it does for me. There is no perfection at 1 years of age with hair!
I am a hairstylist so i ALWAYS have to have something in her hair or on her head :)
Try putting a little gel or hair spray in her hair before putting the clips in her hair, it will help keep them in. coarse up her hair a little so it doesn't slip out. It will not harm her skin or her hair. :) just make sure you are using good product!
Good Luck!!!
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