I could really use some body's help or opinions at least, please read!?

Question

I have 3 1/2 year old biracial (white/black) daughters and the only reason I'm mentioning that they're biracial is so that you can get an idea of their hair texture. They have really curly hair that unless it's washed, conditioned, and lathered in coconut oil is just kind of a puffy, curly bush that can be very tangled when it's not done. Well this morning one of my daughters needed to go to the bathroom so I took her and my other daughter was in her playroom (what should be my dining room in a 2 bedroom apartment) and the distance between their playroom and the bathroom is only about 5 feet so when I took my daughter to the bathroom I wasn't concerned with her sister being in the playroom but in the kitchen (which was gated off, we always keep the kitchen gated off) on the counter was a Black & Decker Scum Buster, I don't know if you've ever heard of these but they are a small hand held device that comes with about 4 maybe 5 different types of brush heads meant for different things

(i.e.-carpet, upholstry, floors etc.) and even when there isn't a brush head on it the thing spins around. Well as I took my daughter to the bathroom my other daughter must have climbed on the gate and grabbed this thing and pushed the button to turn it on

and as soon as she turned it on I heard her start crying so I immediatly ran out and pushed the button to turn the thing off and when I looked I saw it was caught in her hair so I removed some hair that connected the thing with her hair and when I looked all I could do was cry because in about 5 seconds this thing completely ripped the hair from my daughters scalp so in the middle of her head (more towards the top) she was completely bald she wasn't bleeding and as soon as I got the thing out of her hair she stopped crying and when I asked her if it still hurt she said no the only thing she said was "Mommy what's wrong b/c I was crying"

I just couldn't believe this happened I am always very careful with my daughters and now to look at her and see she had lost so much hair because of this stupid thing (that must have caught on to one of her curls and just kept spinning ripping the hair out) I was devastated but very thankful that aside from her hair she was OK. I washed and conditioned her hair to get all of the loose hair out and then I put some coconut oil in it and put it up into a pony tail (when all of her hair is up it just barely covers this bald spot thank god) now I know things could have been worse and I thank God she's OK but I'm devastated at the same time b/c this is my baby girl. I guess my question is does anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to help her hair grow back as fast as possible. Now I know hair takes time to grow but is there anything I can do to other then leave it alone, to make sure that it will grow back?

Of course I am going to keep her hair in pony tails so that the bald area can't be seen but will this slow down the process? I am so lost, I'm sick about this situation I feel helpless. Any suggestions or opinions I'd really love to hear, thanks a lot!

Answer 1

sorry to hear.. you should leave it other wise go to a doctor ...

Answer 2

aw mom, it's ok--you've already assured us that you took every safety precaution possible--but I have the feeling that you yourself are not so assured. It seems like you don't feel sick over the cosmetic fact that your daughter has a bald patch, as much as you feel sick that your "neglect" led to your child being in a potentially dangerous situation.
But it's ok! She wasn't seriously hurt. You did everything right and are obviously a great mom! THESE THINGS HAPPEN, especially with 2 active 3.5 yr olds to look after! How do you think so many kids manage to give themselves "home hair-cuts"? how did they get to scissors that were sharp enough? what if they nicked some skin, or poked their eyeball? No parent can keep their children under control 24/7! I think every parent goes through a situation like yours at least once. At least!!

as far as her hair--your direct question--I think the best you can do is to keep it in the ponytail (is it also possible to cover iwth a cute headband? although I doubt she'd keep the headband on all day...) and just let it grow. I don't think the ponytail will impede her hair growth. just make sure she's getting the vitamins/nutrients she needs to grow healthy hair. At least she's not school-aged; then it might be embarassing for both of you. but she's only in playgroup now, if that, and I bet 70% of her peers will show up with a mangled head of hair at some point during the year. Just calm down, start believing that you are a good mom and it wasn't your fault, and keep combing that unruly hair into ponytails. good luck!

Answer 3

Don't be so down on yourself, girl! Things like this happen, it's just life, really. As upset as you feel over this, it's really not the end of the world or a great tragedy, so be (and I know you are) very grateful. Of course, it's natural to feel upset, but realize that you're only human and sometimes accidents happen. It doesn't mean you're a bad mom, only that you are human, as we all are. Hopefully, your daughter's hair will grow back on its own. Don't make a big deal out of it, so that she won't be scarred in any from it. If you can, try to hide it a bit so others won't ask her questions/tease her, etc., as kids can be cruel sometimes. The only thing you can do is take a deep breath, and just learn from this experience. Your daughter wouldn't want you to stress so much, I'm sure! :o) I know it's hard because you feel guilty, but try not to feel that way. It wasn't your fault, and that's why they call it an accident, because accidents definitely do happen. Trust me, everything will be fine, if you just relax a bit and take a deep breath.

Answer 4

Please dn't beat yurself up over this. As a mother of 4 it happens to everyone and it usually happens to every child at some time or another. I know you feel bad but you are right to thank God that she is OK. Hair takes times and that's basically all youcan do for it. Don't let your daughter see you get upset about herhair because she's onyl 3, she doesn't care too much and by the time she is 5, usually whent hey start caring about every unch of their hair, her hair will have grown back in. One thing you can try is Mane N Tail shampoo and conditioner. This has been proven to help hair growth and it willsmooth it out some. ask your child's hair dresser if they can suggest any porducts that will help the hair growth and strengthen the hair cuticles as it grows in. Just the over protected side of me says call your ped's office and talk to the nurse just to make sure the dr. doesn't want to check her head to be on the safe side. When my 7 yr. old son was 2 he was burnt 2 times within a month and it was totally by accident but I cried for days each time and my pediatrician reassured me that it happens to everyone. Please don't be so hard on yourself. It's is worse on you than y our daughter and you should not even feel like it was your fault. By the way it sounds, you are a very cautios mother and there is no need for guilt regarding this situation. I took my baby gate when my daughter was 2 and now she has access to every room in the house. I am very over protected, but I don't even take her to the restroom anymore. I taught her what she needs to know when she was potty training and now she calls me if she needs me. Smile and enjoy your beautiful girls.

p.s. I'm not positive about the ponytail thing but I don't believe that it slows down hair growth. Call a hari dresser in your hometown and ask them, they can tell you that over the phone. They can even tell you over the phone if there is anything you can do to speed up hair growth.

Answer 5

First of all, don't beat yourself up over this...accidents happen...that's why they are called accidents. You sound like you are a very good mother with good intentions and your girls sound very well cared for. We all have things like this happen as young mothers...just give thanks that it wasn't any worse. The hair will grow back...it may take a little time, but as long as the pony tail covers it, there's nothing to worry about. If it really bothers you, you might want to take her to a hair salon and see if they have a better suggestion. All kids go through similar things like this, only usually it's one sibling cutting the other siblings hair off! It will be ok...buy her some pretty ribbons to make yourself feel better, and relax.

Answer 6

The poor thing. Don't beat your self up over what happened. Kids for thousands of years manage to get into things when we think they can't. She is not hurt where she has to go to the ER. She will forget about this. It hurts us parents more than the kids when they do things like this because we have longer memories. If the bald spot is really noticeable take her to a salon and they can work with it. If it covers it up somewhat don't worry too much about it. Hair grows back.

Answer 7

I'm sorry abuot what happened to your daughter, but don't feel so bad. Once. when I was a 7 year old kid, my neighbor left her three year old daughter with me (this lady was very careless, contrary to you) and I grabbed some scissors and cut the little girls hair from the middle of her head into a large circle, leaving her looking like a friar or something.... that was careless, but what happened with you wasn't entirely your fault. My suggestion would be to give her a lot of milk. Milk is good for hair growth, and it also makes it stronger. Also, try to find shampoos out there that help with hair growth. A good shampoo is the "hair plus shampoo and conditioner." It promotes rapid hair growth, and it's 20 bucks. a bit expensive for my taste, but when it come to a full head of hair on a little girl who deserves it, I think I would let it slip.

Answer 8

It's quite something what can happen even when we are right next to these little ones. You have to calm down now, what happened, happened.... learn from it and move on. Hair grows. What is bothering you is that you will be reminded of this incident for quite some time... for the rest of your life- I guess, but worst until it's not visible anymore. I hope you threw away that thing... and make sure to put your mental energy into figuring out what to do, so this doesn't happen again when you have to take care of one of your girls.... like maybe getting a higher gate....
I lost sight of my older son once when we were in Chinatown (Honolulu- Hawaii).... I found him after less than ten minutes- but it seemed like forever... and I couldn't sleep for weeks blaming myself for letting him not hold my hand.... and thinking about what could have happened. I prayed to God to give me a peace of mind and learn from my mistake.... I still cringe when I think about it, but time heals.... and you will move on- let time work its wonder... on your nerves and your daughter's bald spot on the head. I think that bald spot is nothing compared to your devastation.... time will heal, mom... it will- trust me.

Answer 9

Things happen,don't blame yourself so much.I am sure her hair will grow even stronger than before.Don't worry how she looks.As you say thank god she is ok.You are a good mom,don't feel so guilty.It happens.My husband put my then 1 year old on the kitchen island.He was right there,next to him when god knows how my son fell down head first on the tile floor.He is OK,but we went trough hell for couple of days.We ended up selling the house.My husband had a difficult time going into the kitchen.So go to the church,get down on your knees and thank god again.

Answer 10

I can't help with the hair growth, but I can let you know you are not on your own. While away on a trip to a mountain cabin, the kids were playing while I was in the kitchen fixing lunch. 4 year old girl with hair halfway down her back decided to drive my sons choochoo train on her head and wrapped up about 12 miles of hair around the axle of this little train engine. It happened in an INSTANT, and took half a day to untangle/untie.

Answer 11

Mom don't be so hard on yourself, these things happen and children can be one step ahead of us at all times. First of all, Childrens hair normally grow rather fast if they are healthy. When you wash and condition her hair, always massage her Scalp. My Hairdresser told me, doing this helps the hair folicles to promote new growth..Use a good Shampoo, with Vitamin E in it. Vitamin E is an essential Nutrient for healthy hair and skin..