[ILuvMyGirls]

My dd is 2 yrs old, and I've noticed that her hair is thinning right around the hairline (most likely from pulling too tight w/ elastics) A friend recommended just braiding it loosely, without putting it in a ponytail first. This works okay, but I have to redo it VERY often!!! I have an 18 month old also, so this is not very feasible...any other ideas? I have attached some pics of how I have done her hair in the past also. Thanks!!

[megsveils]

I am having the same problem! My dd's hair is thinning too. I think I will just not pull so tight around the hairline. My dd's hair is about 4 different lengths, so I don't really have many options. By the way, does anyone have a system to the cornrowing thing. My hands feel really big and clumsy when I try to cornrow!

[ILuvMyGirls]

Yeah, I have that problem too. Everyone just tells me, "keep practicing, it'll start feeling more natural, etc..." I'm not sure, though. Plus, it's hard to "practice" on a moving target I'm so afraid that the thinning on her hairline will be permanent, so I'm extra paranoid...No one but me is allowed to do her hair. Do you think that's a bit extreme? Well, I would let a professional, but who has the money for that?! I was so thankful when my birthdaughter was born bald!!! She still doesn't have quite enough hair to mess with.

[LisaCA]

what's wrong with an afro? It will keep the hair growing. if you need to, you can trim the hair down to be slightly shorter to make a neater afro. No braids, ponytails, anything.

when combing her hair, just use wide toothed combs. No aggressive brushing either.

good luck!

Lisa

[redhedded]

Luv, I would go with an afro too. Kept my dd's hair in nothing but one for the first 16 months or so of her life. Used a bit of natural oil everyday (varied from jojoba, grapeseed, Burt's Bees apricot or olive oil) and picked through; ran my fingers through at night. She did wear soft stretchy headbands often when we went out. Once we got home, I took them off to prevent rubbing, thinning or pulling hairline.

[hotspice58]

For cornrowing, you may want to try a professional. Also African braiding is something to look into. I can't braid at all. When I had my 2 fds, I had a professional braid them as I don't do well with hair.

[bluelidded]

Afros almost always look great on anyone, IMHO. Especially now that we're breaking out of winter and artificial heat, with a little grapeseed oil, it will keep beautifully on her head.

[TashaD]

Luv do you keep her hair greased really well. The breakage could be from her hair being to dry, and that with that tight braids is putting a lot of tension on the hair. the afro is a could idea, just maintain it well. Their are tons of African Amercian products out their to help keep her hair nice and shiny. My girls are black and white, and I even have to keep their hair nice and greased up, lol. You can still keep it in the braids, but instead of using rubber ties, just braid it without the ties or like in french braids or something. hope this helped. good luck

[ILuvMyGirls]

Thanks for all the advice...I think I will try an afro, that's the way my mom always says she likes it anyways She does like to get her hair done...it's just finding the time to do it. However, this is my issue...I feel like if I don't keep it braided or looking "done", all the black ladies at the mall are looking at me like I don't even know how to take care of my daughter's hair ( I have talked to people who think about some white parents w/ black kids)...I know, get over it, right?! I just want to do what's best for my child.

[LisaCA]

a well kept afro will meet with most black folks approval, lol. if it's really long, then you need those hair thingies but an afro is fine if her hair is short. Or you can just go up to those ladies who are staring and talking and ask their advice. that'll shut them up, lol, or you'll get tons of info.

[ajrl]

Hi,

Well, I have a birthdaughter 11 years old now and are awaiting a new adoptive child. My birhtdaughter is biracial. It is very important to only brush their hair while it is wet. If you brush it dry it rips their hair out. Also, I dont like the pink moisturizer for her hair. Since she is mixed she has a different texture to her hair. I had to find shampoos and conditioners with a lot of lanilin in it. Right now the best products are Loreal for kids the individual bottles of shampoo and conditioner. Dont buy the mixed bottles or plus bottles. They have a lot of alcohol in them. This will break their hairs as well. Also, Pantene for curls is good and their leave in conditioner when you brush it. Remember to only use a wide tooth comb to brush it out and no brushes w/ the bubbles on the end of the bristles. What my daughter is using now is my shampoo from Victoria's Secret. Love Passion I believe. It has a smoothing agent that works great.

And remember when you cut their hair only do it when it is very wet and with a fine tooth comb. and only do it by each lock or curl. That will be over a 1/4 inch off the hair for each half curl when their hair dries.

At 2 years old I personally cut my daughter's hair and she had an afro for about 8 months. Now she is 11 and has hair down to her back that we now get straightened since it is so thick.

AJ

[ILuvMyGirls]

Well, I conquered a style and everyone that has seen it has absolutely loved it! It really wasn't very difficult, it just looks like it is. Although it did take 1 hr 45 min. My daughter loves the beads!!!

[ajrl]

You did a great job. Very beautiful.

[traceyk]

Here is Drihan a few months ago so her afro is much bigger now. I either leave it like this, put 4 poms in or I will take a small section of her bang area and do a french twist horizontally and put a barret in.

[maxkinzie]

I feel like if I don't keep it braided or looking "done", all the black ladies at the mall are looking at me like I don't even know how to take care of my daughter's hair ( I have talked to people who think about some white parents w/ black kids)...I know, get over it, right?! I just want to do what's best for my child."

Wow, that sounds like ME!

I'm afraid not to keep some kind of pony or braid in, for fear that an afro will get tangled and I'll never get it out. Sounds like I'm wrong, or does this sometimes happen? DD and I also have kind of a rountine going now, hate to break her of it, tho it would free up a good chunk of time every day.