[Smonique]

My 7 month old has a lot of hair. A huge soft afro.
His hair is getting so dry. I cant keep it moisturized and Im not exactly sure what can be used on infants hair. Any suggestions?

[joskimo]

I understand olive oil is supposed to be really good at keeping AA hair moist - better then baby oil which I understand can leave it dryer. Our baby's hair is still soft and fluffy - so a non-ssue for us -- so far.

[LisaCA]

hi,

here's what we do for dd-keep in mind that what works for my kid may not work for yours (every head of hair is different). starting about 6th month, we washed her hair about once a week, using suave's version of nexxus humectress shampoo and conditioner. we washed once, rinsed well, then conditioned, leaving it on for 2 minutes then rinsing with warm water. We then used a little (less than a dime sized drop) of Jojoba oil, rubbed it between my palms and thru her hair, then styled it. As her scalp dried out, I would dip a q-tip in jojoba oil and oil her scalp (making parts then rubbing the q-tip on scalp). The key is the shampoo and conditioner: all baby shampoos dry hair out, so we didn't use those.

We now do the same ritual, but instead of the jojoba oil, we use The Roots, The answer Shea Butter Hair Oil Moisturizer. We also now shampoo twice, condition once, then add moisturizer.

We only used olive oil when dd had a mild case of cradle cap.

many of the items in the store for "black hair care" we felt were full of chemicals, so we passed on them. they also had weird sweet smells, like candy-ick.

good luck!

Lisa

[kmh112960]

Here's a great site for you to try for hair care. Everyone is really helpful here.

Kathy
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Adoptionhaircare/

[joskimo]

My baby is 4 months old and this weekend I tried Beautiful Beginnings/Dark and Lovely Brand oil mosisturizer (Walmart). Her hair is a nice low afro but sometimes a little dry, not really dry, but I tried the moisturizer - it was the texture of lotion really and added a little mositure to her hair w/o making it greasy, I didn't add a ton though.

[rastachris]

I've concocted my own conditioner for Makena's hair. Measurements are not exact, but I use about 1/2 C moisturizing conditioner (I'm using Dove condition right now) 1/4 C leave-in conditioner (Infusium 23), 1-2 tbsp Jojoba Oil, 2-4 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp glycerin, and water to thin the concoction as needed. I mix it up in a spray bottle and apply this to her hair after bath at night and then again in the morning before styling. I put quite a bit in her hair and I think her hair looks and feels great since we started using this. I found a basic recipe on one of the websites suggested in a previous hair thread and I took it from there. Like LisaCA said, washing less often and using a good moisturizing shampoo is key - but be careful of baby's eyes!

Good luck!

[leaabc123]

I posted this on the foster care boards but will post here too.
Neutrogena has a new hair care line out called triple moisture.
We tried the deep conditioning hair mask on the girls' har (both african american with kinky hair) and it made their hair really soft and easy to comb. We are still using baby shampoo to wash their hair but will probably add the neutrogena shampoo to the routine at some point.

I also like paul mitchell's leave in conditioner on occasion.

For oils, I have been using a mix of jojoba oil and olive oil, or a shea butter moisturizing scalp cream.

I have also tried a line called "pink cream" (i think that is what it is called) but it is kind of smelly, although there is a spray that does seem to help the older girl's braids stay nicer a bit longer.

It may take awhile before you find the right balance for your kiddo' hair.