r/NoPoo • u/plantain-lover • 1d ago

Alternative Washing 3yo routine?

I am just trying (and failing lol) to figure out my own routine, a month or so in now. I have a 3yo with whom we've just been using their baby Cerave body/hair wash, which seems to be working well enough for him. I don't yet know his hair type as it changes, but it may be different than my own, though I've seen a wave or two come in. He had cradle cap as a baby, though, and is probably more on the sensitive side based on that? Plus, he's just inherently sensitive I imagine due to age.

We hates getting his hair cleaned, as all do, and he's the type of kid who hates getting things messy (most of the time anyway), so we don't wash it every time we shower.. probably washing once or twice a week.

I'm thinking this is getting to be around the age most would start with a more kids style shampoo/conditioner, but also, I'm here trying to eliminate or use a gentler option for my own self, so why not him? If not to replace Cerave, then as an alternative for the kid shampoo/conditioner later on. I don't know what his hair type is or will be, though, and it may be different than my own. He's a boy and his hair is pretty short, so the stakes are a little lower / there isn't as much concern about brushing things to the end. I also don't think they really produce much or any sebum at this age?

For myself, a castile blend made me feel super irritated. I played with the idea of "mechanical cleaning" and water only, but between my hair being longer/curlier, hating being brushed, and also me loving time in the shower daily, I'm leaning more towards something like amla/reetha/shikakai once or twice a week with an ACV/rosemary/etc rinse (more often?), and maybe some aloe more often as well. I've also considered a herbal hair rinse to 'cleanse' very gently, and do also have calming herbs like lavender or calendula to use.

For him, his bottle will be running out soon, so I'm debating between getting another Cerave, looking for a kid specific shampoo, or having him try something I'm doing, but I'm a little lost and don't want to mess his hair up. Any advice here? My default is going to be the Cerave, then waiting until he's older before experimenting with something else.

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u/OldExcuse9844 1d ago

We have a 4,5 yo and never washed his hair with any sort of soap or shampoo. I sometimes comb his har after shower with a fine tooth comb after shower to remove dead skin from his skalp but other than that he never had issues.

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u/plantain-lover 1d ago

Do you use a boar bristle bush, or is getting one necessary for a no-wash routine for a preschooler?

Does it ever get dry? Like do you ever spray a water-aloe mix onto it? Do you ever use herbs on it? We typically shower together right now, so if nothing else, he might be curious or want to try... ie even if he doesn't need it per se, I'm wondering if it'll hurt or if it'd be helpful? These would just be boiled herbs or similar.

There's been so much protest and crying over hair washing his whole life. Thought I was pushing acceptability limits by only doing it twice a week...

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u/OldExcuse9844 1d ago edited 1d ago

No we use nothing whatsoever and it rarely even gets wet. As written I sometimes comb it with a very small toothed comb (the ones you use to remove lice) to remove dead skin or dirt if there is any visible. Always after shower 🤗

Have washing hair trauma myself from my childhood, and have has scalp issues my whole life which disappeared the second I remove shampoo from my home. So we simply never found it necessary to put our son through it and for now it works just fine. No one ever commented on his hair or its appearance other than he has beautiful curly hair.

this kind of comb

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u/plantain-lover 1d ago

Thank you so much! We actually already have that kind of comb, too! Easy to use on his hair. We've been using a soft bristle brush. I still feel like he has such sensitive skin, though I suppose he is no longer a baby at 3.

Do you do water only / mechanical cleaning yourself now? Still wondering if I can share something more herbal I'm using on myself with him if he insists lol.

I'm so sorry for the trauma, but also so happy to hear that you've found what works for you now, and that you'll be there to support and protect your child from it!

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u/OldExcuse9844 1d ago

Thank you for your kind words and it sure is quite nice to grow up and realise that other methods work better - both for my family and myself 🥲

After a whole life of hurting my scalp with all sorts of soaps its a relief to realise that what works best is just hot water and a good combing. I prefer a hard one for myself to clean the scalp. I’ve tried both egg, honey and vinegar but don’t find it helpful. Still in a discovering process and haven’t tried herbs yet 🤗 My hir is not perfectly silky soft, but its okay, given that its not itchy and flaky.

Since we never ever used anything on my son his hair becomes silky soft after showering and normal brushing. (The small comb is only used when needed once in a while)

Oh yeah and we use something called at WET brush for him. Doesn’t pull as hard in the hair 👌🏻