[timbo30]

OK, I have a question. Our son (full AA) is 8 months old and his hair on top is about 4 inches long. The sides and back he had rubbed off or pulled out and is now growing back in. So it looks like we cut the back and sides and left the top long. I love it when is is all curly but it is hard to keep it under control. It gets frizzy and crazy pretty easy. Now to my question. Is it ok to cut his hair before he is a year old? I have heard both ways. I don't want to cut it all off, just shorter so it is more controlable. But at the same time I want to let it grow. I don't know, just curious what you guys think.

Thanks,

Timbo

[srusse24]

I don't have an answer to your question, but I am glad you asked it. We have a son due in August (3/4 AA, 1/4 CC), and I have wondered the same thing. I know some carry the tradition of not cutting the hair until a year old, but truthfully, I do not know the background of the tradition.

[nickchris]

What you are describing is a normal occurance, LOL maybe a slight trim of the ends to even thing out a bit. In the AA community we usually wait until the baby is one year old.
Keeping the hair moisterized will keep the hair under control.

[Ima2B]

try Pink Lotion. It works wonders.

[jheald]

We wondered about this ourselves with our little guy and then asked an AA friend of ours and he had never heard of that custom of waiting a year. So...we went ahead and cut his hair. So much easier than all the tears that went with the longer, tight curls.

Janet

[4baby02]

We don't have a ds yet, however my parents would not cut my younger brothers hair until he was 1. They said because that gave the soft spot time to heal?? Don't know how much truth is in that, but thought since I had heard that I would share.

[timbo30]

Thanks for all the responses. I appreciate it. I am sure I will wait. I love those curls and I think it would be harder for me to cut them off than to keep taking care of them. I put his hair in Zulu Knots once and it was really cute. I just have to figure out how to keep them to stay in longer than a day. Thanks again.

Timbo

[nickchris]

Ouch!! Quick tip, baby would not cry or be uncomfortable when the hair is combed if products like a little bit of burt's bees hair butter or Carol products hair milk, even Pink oil.or lustrasilk moisturizer is applied to the hair (mainly after washing the hair) do not use alcohol based products (shampoo for CC or other products) as that dries the hair out. Nor does the hair need goopy heavy oils, this clogs the pores and attracts dust.Taking care of AA hair is different, but cutting (not trimming) the childs hair is not the answer..if still intimidated, check with a reputable AA hair dresser. Still the priority is proper maintenance of the hair, over cutting.
For review check these threads out for hair tips:
African American Boys and Hair
My daughter's Hair