Baby Hair Care & Styling

Taking care of your toddler’s hair can sometimes be very challenging. But if you don’t take care of your little one’s hair, it can get dry, messy and lead to an unhealthy scalp and skin. Properly caring for your baby’s hair will keep it looking healthy and shiny.

Compared with adult hair, a child’s hair is weaker and more prone to tangling and breakage. Here are some helpful tips for taking care of your child’s hair with no fuss and no tears.

Make It Fun

While most toddlers will never love having their hair washed, do your best to make it as painless as possible. Sing a song together while you're doing it. Tell your little one that you're giving them a head massage as you lather the shampoo. Let them blow bubbles while you're doing it. Distraction is key.

Comb Hair When Wet

As soon as you're done washing and conditioning your toddler’s hair, comb it with a wide-tooth comb and get the little knots out before they become big knots. Never use a brush on wet hair.

Get the Right Hair Cut

With the right haircut, your toddler's hair should be relatively easy to care for. If your child has curly hair, you may want their hair all one length with no fringe. If your child has very thick or wavy hair, a layered haircut can help cut back the tangles. Talk to a hairdresser about your options.

Protect Your Child’s Eyes

No toddler likes to get anything in their eyes, so consider putting a visor on their forehead or rinsing their hair while they’re leaning back towards you so that you can avoid getting water in their face.

Newborns also blink less often than adults; they don’t protect their eyes by closing their eyelids when an object approaches, and they tear less than adults. This makes it easier for substances to irritate their eyes. For worry-free bathtime, try JOHNSON’S® baby shampoo with our NO MORE TEARS®formula — developed for babies and young children, it is mild to the skin and as gentle to eyes as pure water.

Protect Against Frizz and Static Cling

If your toddler has curly hair, there's a good chance that it may become wild or unruly in rainy or humid weather. And straight hair can stick upwards or outwards in cold, dry weather. When the weather dictates, put some gel or baby oil in your toddler's hair to keep it under control. Try styling your toddler's hair by tying it up, for example. You can also use our leave-in conditioner to help.

Watch Out for Knots

Thick and curly hair can sometimes tangle very easily. For easy combing and detangling, consider using a 2-in-1 one shampoo that provides the convenience of shampooing and conditioning in one easy step. Try JOHNSON’S® baby shampoo & conditioner to unlock knots and tangles. Also, it's a good idea to wash hair in the direction that it falls.

For extra detangling or hard to manage hair, you can use a detangling spray like JOHNSON'S® NO MORE TANGLES® detangling spray. It can be used on wet or dry hair, so you can apply it and comb your toddler's hair even on days when you are not washing it. This will help you prevent knots before they start.

Protect long hair overnight — never leave clips in or keep hair tied up. If it's long enough, you can plait it before sleep.

Only Use Gentle Products

Baby and toddler hair is very different from adult hair, and it needs different products to stay clean. To care for your child's hair, it is important to use gentle products with mild ingredients formulated especially for them. Use a shampoo that's enriched with conditioners for the delicate nature of your baby's hair.

Compliment your toddler on their appearance and use positive reinforcement to help promote grooming routines. With proper hair care, you can help eliminate tangles and make combing easier for the both of you.