COPING WITH NATURAL HAIR AS A NEW MOM

July 26, 2019

COPING WITH NATURAL HAIR AS A NEW MOM

Bringing home my baby all bundled up after a few days in the hospital was one of the best feelings ever until you’re all settled in and realize that you neglected your hair for the greater part of your pregnancy. In my case, I got box braids and kept them in way too long!

Listen guys, the state my hair was in was unbelievable! My hair grew a lot (thanks to prenatal) and it appears to be thicker (I don’t know how possible this is, but it sure felt and still feels that way). Also, ALL MY EDGES FELL OUT! Post-partum shedding is real folks!

So here are a few things I do to deal with the new state of my hair:

Scalp massages (I use the My Crown of Curls hair oil for this) – I usually massage when I get a chance, mostly when the baby is down for a nap.
Moisturize moisturize moisturize! – With my new head of hair, I found that it isn’t as manageable as it used to be and even worse when dry so I moisturize several times a week.

Not going to lie this part is hard to work in your routine with a new baby so I would co-wash when I have my evening shower and apply my leave-in as I get out and seal with a butter right before bed (all of this is done in chunky twists because nobody got that kind of time.)

Be consistent – Yes I know this one is laughable with a baby, but finding a routine that works for you is important.

I find that for me the weekends are the only time I have to really do my hair, so I would do my deep conditioner on weekends (as I am now back at work), and I would style my hair in a way that it can be worn for at least two (2) or three (3) days before they require some moisture and restyling. Which leads me to my last point.

Protective styling – This is a song that has been sung by naturalistas since forever and with good reason.

Find a style that works for you whether short or long term (I do buns for short term and braids for long term protective styling) and trust me that extra half an hour you save a day by not doing a twist out or braid out is gold!

HAIR BEFORE PREGNANCY

NEW HAIR WHO THIS? LOL

(Edges are hidden for a reason)

All in all, handling natural hair with a new baby is hard but let the little you do go as far as possible.

Shemelia Shortte

Wife | Mother | Hair Enthusiast