Yes, my friends, that’s a satin bonnet on my daughter’s head! She’s been wearing one to bed since she turned one and she wears it well, if I may say so myself :)!
As an African American it is essential that we cover our heads with some sort of material, such as silk or satin, that is as non-absorbent as possible in order to keep the moisture/oils from leaching out of our tresses while our heads are lying on something.
Maddie has a very unique, beautiful texture to her hair. It’s very curly and oftentimes appears shorter than it actually is because of her tight coils. But no matter it’s texture or length my goal is to make sure it’s healthy!
So, in addition to wearing the satin bonnet (nightly) her hair routine consists of the following:
- Co-wash (conditioner only) and detangle once/week. Currently using Mixed Chicks Conditioner.
- Shampoo (once/month). Currently using Johnson’s Baby Shampoo.
- Moisturize with a moisture butter (daily). Currently using Beautiful Textures Moisture Butter.
- Seal with an oil (daily). Currently using either Jojoba Oil or Coconut Oil.
Maddie has what I call a “hair chair” that is used on hair wash days (usually Saturdays). This chair is only used for this purpose so that she knows what to expect when she sees me pull it out. During wash days I sit her in the chair with my Kindle and I detangle, moisturize and seal, then set her hair for church the next day.
This sounds like a bit much for a toddler but I promise you it’s not as complicated as it sounds. It takes me all of 10-15 minutes to do it all after she’s gotten out of the tub. The main point is to create a routine that she can become familiar with so that as she gets older and her hair gets longer, and takes a bit more time to manage, that she is already accustomed to the process!
So that’s that! I use Rory’s amazing blog, Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care, as my go-to resource for maintaining my toddler’s natural, healthy hair.
Do you find it easy or difficult to manage your little one’s tresses?!?
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I've never shaved my boys hair just because it was easier. I love their hair, why would I shave it like so many others do to their sons? My oldest son has shoulder length hair (his choice). I think it looks cute on him but he can brush it himself. My younger son's hair is more fine and gets matted in the back easily so I have to help him wet it down in the morning to get the fuzzy out. Your daughter looks adorable in her satin bonnet!
Thanks, Dawn! I always thought children's hair would be so simple but it does require a bit of effort to maintain it. Maddie has the same issue with her hair getting matted if I forget to put the bonnet on at night!
It's so interesting that you posted this today. I'm super new to this blogging thing and I thought that your post on attachment parenting was so on point since that's the way my husband and I parent as well. Anywho, just this morning I texted my hairdresser asking her which product line I should buy for my 4 year old. When she was younger the texture of her was more manageable, just recently it's been dry and coarse. I've always told her from before she was able to speak how beautiful her hair is because it is and I don't want her to develop any complexes about her hair like I did when I was younger and many african american women do. But for weddings and holidays I fell into the temptation of flat ironing and giving her shirley temple curls which were so incredibly cute. Then when she started vpk last year while I had another baby, it was so easy to put it in ballerina bun instead of re-twisting it. But now I'm wondering if that might have caused the change in her hair or if it's a factor. She has a satin cap that she's been wearing since she was 2 also:) It takes me about 1 1/2 hours to double strand her hair. That's our "movie time".:) This morning she attempted to do a puzzle which was a great idea. It took the boredom out of sitting there:) Appreciate the posts on the products!!
Thanks, Krissy! I have that same mindset about my daughter not developing complexes about not only her hair but the color of her skin as well since they are both things that I struggled with as a child.
They do say that flat ironing (depending on how often it's done) can cause you to lose your natural curl patter (and/or change the texture of your hair). Maddie is still so small so it really doesn't take much time but I know as she gets around your daughter's age we'll probably be in the same position where it takes hours at a time to manage it. Hopefully, this routine I've started will make it a little easier and I'll definitely be making it a movie/puzzle/whatever she wants to do time as well!
As far as the products those are just what has been working for us at this age but as you know hair tends to change over time and hair can also get use to the products and not respond as well as it use to (for example, I was using the Shea Moisture line on both of our hair but eventually it got to a point where our hair was so coarse/dry which is why I switched to what she's using now after a bit of trial and error). So as she grows and things change I'll be writing updates about what we're using!
I'm so glad you stopped by and took the time to comment, and I look forward to checking out your site!
Hey Nicole! Maddie is so adorable. I love what you are doing with her hair! I am a Naturalista myself š I actually not too long ago did a post on Eco-friendly hair and I put my haircare regimen:) I definitely sleep with a satin scarf on my head every night. New follower here! Following you from the Lovely Blog Hop! I hope you enjoy your weekend! <3
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Thanks, Brittnei! I look forward to checking out your site and reading about your regimen. It's always nice to see what other's are doing to maintain natural hair!
So glad you found your way here and thanks so much for taking the time to comment! Take care :)!
Nicole great post. I've been looking for a bonnet for my daughter to wear and have not found on that fits. Where did you get the bonnet Maddie uses?
Thanks, Emily! Same problem here so I just buy her the same kind that I use from Walmart (just in a different color) and once it's on her head I wrap one of her ouchless bands around the excess material. You'll probably only have to adjust the band every couple of weeks since she might pull on the cap occasionally but otherwise I just leave the band on it at all times (unless I'm washing it)! I hope that helps!
Great post! Maddie is too adorable!! Sounds like you have her in a good 'routine', which work best for her age and will continue on with her as she gets older!
Thanks, Tasha, I totally agree!
I had no idea it took this much but good on you!
xx
Kelly
Sparkles and Shoes
Don't forget about the switch to BlogLovin!
Yes, Kelly, it's a task but it quickly becomes second nature!
Thank you so much for this post! My daughter is gonna be one in a few days and I have doing well with her hair, mostly, but seeing your adorable daughter in that bonnet has clicked on my "duh, mommy!" switch…when I do her hair, I wash it about once a week, moisturize it/seal it with a natural whipped shea butter I buy, style in braids or twists and put her to bed. The next day, it's fuzzy and the back is the worst! I tried to wrap a scarf around the back and sides of her hair but she sleeps it off and hates it! This post was very helpful and I'll be going to Wal-Mart immediately to get a scarf and readjusting her hair care regimen. Thank you again and I'm very glad I found your blog…
So, so awesome to hear! My hope has always been to help other mothers with young girls just by sharing what we're doing. I know what works for one won't work for all, but at least it gives others different ideas and things to think about. I am certain the bonnet will make a huge difference in helping her styles to last. Like the scarves, she may not like it but keep at it (and make sure she sees you wearing one ever so often as well). She'll get use to it eventually. Oh, and don't forget the satin or silk pillowcases, if you don't have them already, because at that age bonnets are sure to fall off at some point during the night!
Thanks for taking the time to comment! Take care!
I'll make sure I wear mine to and I'll definitely get her a pillow and pillowcase that are more conducive to healthy hair. And you're right – the bonnet has wandered off the last few nights, do I'll get on this stuff asap…thanks again. Congratulations on the new addition on the way!
No problem, and thank you!
Will be trying this regimen on my Mattie! Thanks for sharing!
Hi. I got my daughter some satin sheets because I KNOW she will not keep a bonnet on. She takes her hair ties and barrettes out about 15 minutes after I put them in. A bonnet will NEVER work right now!!! So the co-wash weekly and shampoo wash once a month I am going to try! My daughter is 19months. Her hair is super fine and Iām NOT rushing it to thicken too quickly, lol!!! This all was helpful! Thanks!