There is something absolutely magical about a baby with a head full of curls. But if you're new to curly hair — or if your baby's curls surprised you — managing them can feel like a mystery. Curly hair has different needs than straight hair, and understanding those needs makes all the difference.
This guide covers everything: how to wash it, how to detangle it, how to keep it moisturized, and how to style it without fuss.
The Number One Rule: Moisture, Moisture, Moisture
Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair because the natural oils from the scalp have a harder time traveling down the spiral shape of each strand. That means moisture needs to be added from the outside. Consistently. If you take nothing else from this guide, take that.
A gentle leave-in cream applied to damp hair every day (or every other day) makes an enormous difference in curl definition, softness, and manageability.
How Often to Wash Curly Baby Hair
Less is more. Washing curly hair too often strips its natural oils and leads to dryness and frizz. For most babies and toddlers with curly hair, washing two times a week is ideal. On non-wash days, simply refresh with a spritz of water or our Taming & Detangling Spray and scrunch the curls back into shape.
The Best Way to Wash Curly Baby Hair
Always wet the hair thoroughly before applying shampoo. Use a small amount of gentle shampoo and focus on the scalp, not the ends. Rinse completely. If your baby has longer curls, follow with a light conditioner — apply from mid-length to ends and rinse gently.
Never rough-dry curly hair with a towel. Pat or scrunch with a soft towel to remove excess water, then apply product while hair is still damp.
How to Detangle Baby Curls Without Damage
This is where most parents struggle. Curly hair should never be detangled when dry — it breaks and loses curl definition. Always detangle on damp hair, ideally right after a wash when conditioner is still in or right after applying a detangling spray.
Use your fingers first to gently separate big tangles, then follow with a wide-tooth comb or soft brush. Work from the ends up. Our Taming & Detangling Spray adds the slip needed to get through knots without pulling.
How to Moisturize and Style Baby Curls
While hair is still damp after washing, apply a small amount of our Taming Cream for Frizz, Flyaways and Bed Head. Scrunch it into the curls rather than smoothing it through — this helps define each curl and reduces frizz.
For more defined, longer-lasting curls, follow with a tiny amount of our Taming Gel. Scrunch in gently and let air dry. The result: soft, defined curls with no crunch or stiffness.
Curly Baby Hair Quick Tips
- Moisturize every day or every other day with a leave-in cream.
- Wash only 2 times per week.
- Detangle on damp hair only — never dry.
- Use fingers before a comb.
- Scrunch products in rather than smoothing.
- Protect curls at night with a satin-lined bonnet or pillowcase.
Every curl pattern is different. Our Hair Quiz can help you find the exact right products for your baby's curl type so you always know what to reach for.