my mother couldnt manage my hair do i had my first realxer at 12 thought i was going to die….had my last at 17 when i started taking care to learn my hair….the few times i did my hair in those 5 years was horrible for me so i can only imagine what this little girl is going through even though i thought i heard her say she likes getting perms. my mother cldnt do my hair but we had others do it until i was old it enough…its really silly to see kids with relaxed hair but no hair just because its “easier” to manage…if you cant manage or take the time to learn how to manage kinky hair…dont have kinky hair kids…i have seen this before but i am mad all over
Why would the mother allow the child to keep going into that environment since her hair was being relaxed? I think the mother is an accomplice to the harm brought to her child. The hair in the back will grow again. Hopefully, the bald patch will regrow. What an idiotic bunch of mothers nowadays.
Why would the mother think it’s acceptable to have her child’s hair that damaged? When her hair can be perfectly fine if she just left it alone. I’m tired of people saying our hair is hard to manage. It is hard but it’s also very beautiful, so put a little hard work in and your hair will grow long and healthy
I think this is just madness. Poor child will probably have life-long consequences. It’s sad that some parents are so lazy and will their kid’s health just to make it easier for themselves.
The babysitter who did it should have had charges brought against her since the mother didn’t actually leave any instruction allowing her to do it. If what the little girl said during the video is true, the father should face trouble for this too, for allowing someone to do it without consulting the mother. If the mother really didn’t know it was going to happen the only thing she is guilty of is not filing charges against the babysitter after it happened-it wasn’t addressed in the video, so I hope she actually did file charges-the babysitter doesn’t need to be in charge of any more kids. A little background on me-I was a cosmetologist for 10 years, during a period of time when relaxers were the big thing, easy money because everyone wanted one. Back then, I could have made more money than I did, by agreeing to relax children’s hair, children as young as three or four. But, I refused to do it. I explained to their parents that a child’s hair changes over time-it is finer and more fragile in childhood then changes when they become teens, and again when they become adults. Even little girls with thick seemingly coarse hair have a sensitive scalp and hair. Instead, I helped their parents understand easier ways to work with their children’s hair until they were older and more able to safely get a relaxer. All the kids came back to me when it was time for a relaxer, and I had the pleasure of watching some of them grow into adults, with healthy hair. The very idea of giving a relaxer to a 9 month old is ridiculous in itself-there are too many unknown variables, little kids are unpredictable. What if the person applying it blinked and the child touched the relaxer then her eye or face? Kids do things quick and at random. For anything more than a trim or cut, a child has to be old enough or mature enough to understand that they have to sit relatively still-scissors are dangerous enough, but heat tools are even more so, and chemicals too. I don’t have kids but I did raise a little girl with thick coarse hair from the time she was a baby until she was almost 4; and guess who was always left with the task of styling and shampooing her hair? All any mom needs is decent hair care products and tools, some cute hair accessories like barrettes to make it fun for the child, and a ROUTINE. Once you and the child fall into a routine you each know what to expect, and it gets easier. I agree with the posts saying that these folks need to stop looking for the easy out and do their kids’ hair. I also agree that there are a lot of bald children being raised-I see them on my commute-over relaxed, over colored hair, wearing wigs and weaves, poorly taken care of braids, and not doing a thing to their own hair. These are teens and preteens, by the time they are adults all they will be able to do is wear wigs, their hair will be long gone. A shame.
This is my first time seeming this video. I do not have any children but I think relaxers are for adults only. A relaxer should be a choice . I received relaxers at an early age but also wore braids. In 2009 I did my big chop and have not had a relaxer since. I recieved burns from box relaxers and as a teenager an actual hair dresser did not neutral the relaxer causing breakage like the little girl in the video. That is how I first received braids to cover the damage. The humiliation , taunting , and psychological damage is a different story all together. I can only say thank GOD she is too young to be in school.
What on earth is wrong with some of today’s moms??!! Too lazy to learn how to care for their kids’ hair? Putting BURNING CHEMICALS ON A BABY’S TENDER SKIN??!! When I was a teen relaxers were just coming into style. I had one & got scalp burns & hair breakage.NO ONE was putting those things in kids’ hair back then. Moms had more sense & stylists said not to do it. There are more product choices now,but if you find them too expensive just go OLD SCHOOL & use a kid shampoo, leave in, grease & water.FORGET THE ANTI PETROLEUM & MINERAL OIL HYPE ! Just put grease on hair & not scalp. My mom just used grease & water & olive oil & my hair grew healthy,long & thick. In fact I’ve gone back to grease…Dax & Blue Magic…this winter & presto ! No more dryness & split ends. It will remain in my winter regimen; lots of naturals do it. Some of those young moms’ mothers ought to speak up & educate them or we’re gonna have a generation of scalp damaged bald headed kids!!
This is one of the most profound cases of self hatred I’ve ever witnessed…#Despicable
This is also child abuse to the highest degree, where’s the Department Of Child & Family Services when they’re needed…clearly this woman needs extensive parenting classe!!!
Great blog right here! Additionally your site rather a lot up fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
I saw this and wanted to say that I have a daughter who is 3 yrs old. Her hair is hard to manage and she has short and long pieces. Braiding is hard. It would be so easy for me to deal with just to but a perm in it. I have did research on what to use to get her hair to grow. From brushing to moisturizers. It is sad and I’m glad I decided to go natural as now I love her hair.. This is sad and I’m thankful I know better..
CHILD ABUSE! A baby’s skull is not even closed at 9months old!. The ignorance shown by this mother enrages me and saddens me. I pray that the mother will learn from disfiguring her own daughter, and I pray that the baby’s hair grows back and that that is the only ill affect suffered from being exposed to such harmful chemicals at such a young age.
OH My. I feel for this girl. I had my first perm when I was 8 or 9 and the back of my hair fall out. I went from having a full head of natural long hair to have extreme breakage. And I have been natural ever since. When i have kids no relaxers for them.
It is a shame what people are doing to our children in the name of “good hair”. So many of us have not gotten past this ridiculous belief that our natural kinky hair is “bad hair”. This perception that our hair has to be straight and laid down, has put many of our young children in danger. How could anyone think that its safe to put a perm in the head of a 9 month old baby? And who would allow that? This is just a shame.
It’s not just the hair either. I learned yesterday about a woman here (Jamaica) who is bleaching her baby’s skin. Yes, you read that right. The matter came to light when she took the child to a dermatologist because the bleaching cream, or whatever she was rubbing all over the poor child’s body, has damaged the child’s skin.
I know the doctor gave her a right cussing off, but I don’t know if she has been arrested. She ought to be, though; that is child abuse if you ask me! Too many black people are still stuck on this ‘good skin, good hair’ poison, and our children are being made to suffer because of our adult insecurities with ourselves. This shiggity has got to be stopped!
Isn’t it exploitive to have a child’s face all over the Internet like this? It seems like a tactless approach to such concern for a child. We should also be concerned about her right to privacy. This discussion could have been done in auch more discrete manner w/o tagging the baby’s face all over Youtube. It’s in poor taste.
ITA. While I am absolutely horrified by what was done to this child (aside from the obvious damage that was done, what if some of the relaxer got into the child’s eyes and blinded her?); I find it disturbing that the child’s image is plastered all over the ‘net. And we all know how youtube vids can go viral. Even if they had blocked out the child’s face, the mother and the aunt (who made the video) are clearly identified, so it would be easy for someone who knows them to leak he child’s identity.
A baby getting a relaxer at 9mos even at 3 is so very unnecessary. I thought her short hair in the back looked better than the straight hair with the beads. I know someone who just had a baby who’s getting mad that the kid’s smooth hair is starting to kink up already. I wish black people would get off of that let me check my baby’s ears to see if they stay light, let me hope my baby keep that good hair mentality. It’s ignorant and you’re already corrupting your innocent baby into your foolishness and self-hatred.
Is there any way to talk to this person gently, perhaps showing her some blogs and videos as well? It may not be too late to get her to at least tolerate (I so hate that word!) natural hair, for the sake of her child if nothing else. I just hate the idea of a young baby being fed hate about their DNA-dictated hair. 🙁
I agree with the above enraged women; this is child abuse. This baby doesn’t understand why her head is burning or why it itches or why she’s in pain, she just knows that it happens when she’s around people who are supposed to BE TAKING CARE OF HER. *smh* This is a damn shame. The lengths people go to, to destroy “ethnic” hair.
This is a BABY for chrissakes!! I just can’t get over how anyone can do this to their child or allow someone to do this to their child, when they see the pain they’re going through. Terrible.
shows how backward some black people are. and they are raising their children to be like them. Really, burning the hair off the back of your baby’s head with chemical relaxers just to make her hair straight(er)? REALLY?
I just want to know WHY they felt a baby needed to have her hair relaxed. She was a BABY! Most don’t have much hair at that age and even if they do, it still doesn’t warrant a relaxer. I mean, what the…?!
Im so hurt by this video. I have a three year old daughter and I wouldnt never put a perm in her hair, for the simple fact she is 3 and there folicles are not mature enough. Poor baby, OMG
That is insane!! At 3, that child does not even have a choice and it could cause permanent damage to her scalp. Why subject a child to that?? the mother is ignorant, I think.
I think the mother of the child in question is beyond ignorant. She’s plain stupid. I don’t know what her reaction was to someone applying a relaxer to the hair of her nine-month old infant daughter, but then to follow suit on several more occasions. I agree with a previous commenter: Mom should be cited for child abuse. No question in my mind whatsoever.
OK, my heart and mind just WILL NOT allow me to believe that someone would put those chemicals on a 9 month old. SMH. I was permed very early as well, maybe 2 or 3, but I had no recollection of my natural hair before I went natural 1.5 years ago. I can remember when I was maybe 10 or 11 an older girl was trying to tell me that my straight hair wasn’t my hair. I had NO CLUE what she was talking about at the time, but recently I realized what she was saying. I think part of that is a vicious cycle. My Mom had relaxed hair early, so she relaxed mine early. If it had not been for the natural movement/youtube, I probably would’ve permed my future daughter’s hair. I am not against perms completely, but I don’t think an elementary school child should get a perm OR WEAVE!!!!!! At least wait for the pre-teen years. SHEESH!
Screw it and I don’t care who is offended. Putting a perm in the hair of a child under the age of 13 is child abuse in my opinion.
Whoever did that to that child needs to be in front of a judge and jury. That is wrong!! Imagine that 9 month old baby’s scalp burning like it’s on fire!
Of course a parent makes the choice of how their child looks, but to use a chemical straightener on a 9MONTH OLD BABY who’s body and chemical balance and hair follicles are just beginning to develop is not even sad its criminal.
I know what my scalp was like after I had relaxers and I itched and itched- this poor girl would’ve been in agony ever since she was a baby! What the hell is wrong with this mother?? Even if her ‘daddy did her hair'(which is a likely story) that doesn’t mean you have to perpetuate the badness!
I’m glad to see she does have virgin hair on her head but that bald patch looks like a reaction to her young scalp and this harsh CHEMICAL!
This has pissed me off, I’m so glad my nieces have beautiful soft, curly NATURAL hair.
A chemical relaxer should NOT be applied to a 9 month old baby’s head PERIOD! How can a 9 month old baby tolerate the burning scalp sensation of a chemical relaxer? This could be classified as borderline negligence or abuse. Seeing that you can’t give a child honey or other potentially harmful foods before a certain age, likewise a CHEMICAL RELAXER!
From the pictures, it seems that her hair is growing back and will continue to grow if proper care and attention is given to it.
You’re right. Apparently beign products are also harmful to a baby. That’s why babies have their own shampoo, lotion etc. Their skin is still developing and it should not be exposed to any hair products much less a relaxer.
The fact that anyone permed a 9 month old baby reflects a bigger problem: some Black women have identity issues with not only themselves but also with their children. For many, our coils are to be altered and done away with lest society know just how coily our hair really is. In a society where straight hair is revered, the antithesis of that is shunned. I feel bad for the baby and even worse for the women in her life.
Okay…let’s get one thing straight. I think putting a relaxer on a child that young is completely wrong, especially with the strong chemicals involved that can damage her scalp and her hair. (It already did). But, on the other hand, I can’t bash the mom or the babysitter. It’s simple ignorance on their part, because so many Black women in this country are taught that “caring” for their hair is slapping on some of the creamy-crack relaxer, to straighten out kinks and coils.
I am anti-relaxer… Yeah, it’s sad, and it breaks my heart for that child. But, I think that the hairdresser and the mother were probably, at one time, taught to hate their hair texture, if they even remember it. Many of them haven’t even seen, or remembered what their real hair texture is like. Hell, I didn’t even remember mine before going natural.
I just think that their actions arise from ignorance and the push for this society to instill in African-American women that our features are unacceptable and not beautiful.
its ignorance – pure and simple. but who is teaching that hair care simply involves slapping on a relaxer? anyone with an ounce of sense knows that a relaxer does not take care of itself. so its ignorance combined with something else _________ (i dont want to sound too harsh, so you can fill in the blank with whatever word they choose!)
smh……
That is so sad. I know someone who has been giving her daughter them since she was like 18 months. I always cringed when I saw her hair and spots missing.
My heart is hurting…Even if the mother isn’t the one who put the perm in her daughters hair, she continued to relax it. It is completely on the mother. How can you blame someone else for doing this, when you allowed it in the first place. That is unacceptable and disgusting. That little girls head hasn’t even developed at 9 months. On top of that, the mother has the nerve to put the child’s hair into two permed pigtails at the top of her head. The mother needs to cut it off, let it go and let it grow…naturally.
I don’t think such a strong chemical of any kind should be used on babies. The child’s skull isn’t even fully formed at 9 months. It is sad to see, but at least the mother is attempting the make a change and the girl is too young to be completely devastated. On another note, I’m not sure if it is right to post this child’s face all over the internet. We should all refrain from exposing children for our own agenda. Although I completely agree with where you are coming from.
@Kali HHHB: Lol, “Clutches pearls”, that cracks me up!
This is obviously so sad and frustrating. I’m not quick to play the child abuse card when it comes to hair, but this is the closest I’ve seen. I truly believe this is a problem of information. It’s why I stay up all hours of the night working on my site. We have generations of women that have never dealt with their natural hair. They are just using relaxers to “cope”. We have to help more and criticize less. I know that’s easier said than done.
I don’t know what would possess someone to put a chemical like this anywhere near a young child much less a BABY! They’re little brains have so much more developing to do, their systems aren’t strong enough to cope with potential contraindications – can you imagine if the baby had experienced a serious allergic reaction and gotten really sick?
This just proves to me why there is still a need for the hair forums, blogs, YT channels and as many people as possible flaunting/modelling/silently increasing the profile of natural hair and it’s beauty so crazy people who will relax the hair of BABIES decrease and then finally cease to exist. Man! I can’t believe it.
(All this to say and I haven’t even watched the video cuz YT is blocked from work, lol)
I understand grown women who choose to relax but a 9 month old? That is to damn ridiculous the baby’s hair, skin and scalp are so soft and dedicate I can’t even imagine the thought process behind it let alone the actions. It is sad that kids are getting a relaxer younger and younger, I know the “minimum age” should be 6 but I think they need to raise it and stop the kiddie perm thing.
To be fair, the mother didn’t put the relaxer in at 9 months. But she allowed people to continue putting relaxers in the baby’s hair until she was three years old. Do we blame ignorance for this? Well certainly, she knows the danger now.
Nine months is just too early. I’ll never forget my mother got into an argument with a woman at the hair dresser who wanted to put a perm in my hair when I was six years old. She absolutely refused to do it that soon. I ended up getting a relaxer when I was nine years old. I don’t think I knew what a relaxer was, but then again, I was too busy playing to really care about my hair, so whatever my mom decided was fine with me.
It’s just…okay, over on YouTube, on the “I Love My Hair” video (the one we all love) someone asked if black women are so up in arms over natural hair that we need to have a spot on Sesame Street about it. YES. Things like this? That’s is why we needed it.
I’m sure the mom meant no harm/didn’t know any better. But that goes to tell you WE NEED TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ABOUT OPTIONS & health. 9 months is BANANAS. Even me getting one at 3 was crazy, but I can say, I didn’t have bald spots until later on, when I started doing my own hair. No judgement, because I know that getting a perm for many of us was 2nd nature growing up if you had “highly textured” hair. But that still doesn’t make this situation right… at all! She has to take medication for it? Yeah,no good.
I get that it’s just hair but my God the burning, the sores, the hair loss – can this be a form of child abuse!?? I am so anti-perm on kids, it’s not even funny …and she’s a BABY. My heart aches.
a while back on another forum/blog we had the discussion of whether relaxing the hair of a child who is younger than 5 years old could be considered child abuse. i was surprised to see that many naturals didn’t think so, condering the long term physical and mental scars that can develop, but maybe they’d be will to rethink that standpoint if they saw this video.
But there has to be something on the label thats states you cant put those types of chemicals on a babies head. I am sorry to say this but it really is systematic of the hatred for natural hair. Anything is used to justify eradicating it from planet earth.
some people shouldn’t ever be parents, clearly. i swear, you put a relaxer on a 9 month old???? wtf? that is WAY too young…I personally think anything under like 8 years old is too young, but jesus
YIKES! *Clutches Pearls* This hurts my heart!!!!! I’m going on a campaign, I can’t take this, she is WAY TOO YOUNG! 9 months though? Hot dayum… I had a perm young, but 9 months is INSANE! That should be illegal.
by
Black Girl With Long Hair
63 Responses
Aww this is so sad. I just want to go and take this little girl away, let her stay with me and start her on a healthy hair journey. Sad!!!!!
my mother couldnt manage my hair do i had my first realxer at 12 thought i was going to die….had my last at 17 when i started taking care to learn my hair….the few times i did my hair in those 5 years was horrible for me so i can only imagine what this little girl is going through even though i thought i heard her say she likes getting perms. my mother cldnt do my hair but we had others do it until i was old it enough…its really silly to see kids with relaxed hair but no hair just because its “easier” to manage…if you cant manage or take the time to learn how to manage kinky hair…dont have kinky hair kids…i have seen this before but i am mad all over
Why would the mother allow the child to keep going into that environment since her hair was being relaxed? I think the mother is an accomplice to the harm brought to her child. The hair in the back will grow again. Hopefully, the bald patch will regrow. What an idiotic bunch of mothers nowadays.
This is child abuse and these parents need to be reported ASAP!!!!!
Why would the mother think it’s acceptable to have her child’s hair that damaged? When her hair can be perfectly fine if she just left it alone. I’m tired of people saying our hair is hard to manage. It is hard but it’s also very beautiful, so put a little hard work in and your hair will grow long and healthy
I think this is just madness. Poor child will probably have life-long consequences. It’s sad that some parents are so lazy and will their kid’s health just to make it easier for themselves.
The babysitter who did it should have had charges brought against her since the mother didn’t actually leave any instruction allowing her to do it. If what the little girl said during the video is true, the father should face trouble for this too, for allowing someone to do it without consulting the mother. If the mother really didn’t know it was going to happen the only thing she is guilty of is not filing charges against the babysitter after it happened-it wasn’t addressed in the video, so I hope she actually did file charges-the babysitter doesn’t need to be in charge of any more kids. A little background on me-I was a cosmetologist for 10 years, during a period of time when relaxers were the big thing, easy money because everyone wanted one. Back then, I could have made more money than I did, by agreeing to relax children’s hair, children as young as three or four. But, I refused to do it. I explained to their parents that a child’s hair changes over time-it is finer and more fragile in childhood then changes when they become teens, and again when they become adults. Even little girls with thick seemingly coarse hair have a sensitive scalp and hair. Instead, I helped their parents understand easier ways to work with their children’s hair until they were older and more able to safely get a relaxer. All the kids came back to me when it was time for a relaxer, and I had the pleasure of watching some of them grow into adults, with healthy hair. The very idea of giving a relaxer to a 9 month old is ridiculous in itself-there are too many unknown variables, little kids are unpredictable. What if the person applying it blinked and the child touched the relaxer then her eye or face? Kids do things quick and at random. For anything more than a trim or cut, a child has to be old enough or mature enough to understand that they have to sit relatively still-scissors are dangerous enough, but heat tools are even more so, and chemicals too. I don’t have kids but I did raise a little girl with thick coarse hair from the time she was a baby until she was almost 4; and guess who was always left with the task of styling and shampooing her hair? All any mom needs is decent hair care products and tools, some cute hair accessories like barrettes to make it fun for the child, and a ROUTINE. Once you and the child fall into a routine you each know what to expect, and it gets easier. I agree with the posts saying that these folks need to stop looking for the easy out and do their kids’ hair. I also agree that there are a lot of bald children being raised-I see them on my commute-over relaxed, over colored hair, wearing wigs and weaves, poorly taken care of braids, and not doing a thing to their own hair. These are teens and preteens, by the time they are adults all they will be able to do is wear wigs, their hair will be long gone. A shame.
This is my first time seeming this video. I do not have any children but I think relaxers are for adults only. A relaxer should be a choice . I received relaxers at an early age but also wore braids. In 2009 I did my big chop and have not had a relaxer since. I recieved burns from box relaxers and as a teenager an actual hair dresser did not neutral the relaxer causing breakage like the little girl in the video. That is how I first received braids to cover the damage. The humiliation , taunting , and psychological damage is a different story all together. I can only say thank GOD she is too young to be in school.
What on earth is wrong with some of today’s moms??!! Too lazy to learn how to care for their kids’ hair? Putting BURNING CHEMICALS ON A BABY’S TENDER SKIN??!! When I was a teen relaxers were just coming into style. I had one & got scalp burns & hair breakage.NO ONE was putting those things in kids’ hair back then. Moms had more sense & stylists said not to do it. There are more product choices now,but if you find them too expensive just go OLD SCHOOL & use a kid shampoo, leave in, grease & water.FORGET THE ANTI PETROLEUM & MINERAL OIL HYPE ! Just put grease on hair & not scalp. My mom just used grease & water & olive oil & my hair grew healthy,long & thick. In fact I’ve gone back to grease…Dax & Blue Magic…this winter & presto ! No more dryness & split ends. It will remain in my winter regimen; lots of naturals do it. Some of those young moms’ mothers ought to speak up & educate them or we’re gonna have a generation of scalp damaged bald headed kids!!
This is one of the most profound cases of self hatred I’ve ever witnessed…#Despicable
This is also child abuse to the highest degree, where’s the Department Of Child & Family Services when they’re needed…clearly this woman needs extensive parenting classe!!!
Great blog right here! Additionally your site rather a lot up fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your affiliate hyperlink in your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
poor child has freaking retards for parents. relaxers on any child under 12 should be considered a form of child abuse.
I saw this and wanted to say that I have a daughter who is 3 yrs old. Her hair is hard to manage and she has short and long pieces. Braiding is hard. It would be so easy for me to deal with just to but a perm in it. I have did research on what to use to get her hair to grow. From brushing to moisturizers. It is sad and I’m glad I decided to go natural as now I love her hair.. This is sad and I’m thankful I know better..
CHILD ABUSE! A baby’s skull is not even closed at 9months old!. The ignorance shown by this mother enrages me and saddens me. I pray that the mother will learn from disfiguring her own daughter, and I pray that the baby’s hair grows back and that that is the only ill affect suffered from being exposed to such harmful chemicals at such a young age.
OH My. I feel for this girl. I had my first perm when I was 8 or 9 and the back of my hair fall out. I went from having a full head of natural long hair to have extreme breakage. And I have been natural ever since. When i have kids no relaxers for them.
Yes, the video was sad, but i feel as though you were exploiting the child by “showing” her off. That’s just my opinion.
It is a shame what people are doing to our children in the name of “good hair”. So many of us have not gotten past this ridiculous belief that our natural kinky hair is “bad hair”. This perception that our hair has to be straight and laid down, has put many of our young children in danger. How could anyone think that its safe to put a perm in the head of a 9 month old baby? And who would allow that? This is just a shame.
It’s not just the hair either. I learned yesterday about a woman here (Jamaica) who is bleaching her baby’s skin. Yes, you read that right. The matter came to light when she took the child to a dermatologist because the bleaching cream, or whatever she was rubbing all over the poor child’s body, has damaged the child’s skin.
I know the doctor gave her a right cussing off, but I don’t know if she has been arrested. She ought to be, though; that is child abuse if you ask me! Too many black people are still stuck on this ‘good skin, good hair’ poison, and our children are being made to suffer because of our adult insecurities with ourselves. This shiggity has got to be stopped!
What kind of parent is that?? Are they crazy!!! Why were they blessed with children if they find it TOO DIFFICULT to care for them??
Isn’t it exploitive to have a child’s face all over the Internet like this? It seems like a tactless approach to such concern for a child. We should also be concerned about her right to privacy. This discussion could have been done in auch more discrete manner w/o tagging the baby’s face all over Youtube. It’s in poor taste.
ITA. While I am absolutely horrified by what was done to this child (aside from the obvious damage that was done, what if some of the relaxer got into the child’s eyes and blinded her?); I find it disturbing that the child’s image is plastered all over the ‘net. And we all know how youtube vids can go viral. Even if they had blocked out the child’s face, the mother and the aunt (who made the video) are clearly identified, so it would be easy for someone who knows them to leak he child’s identity.
Wow, and lets weigh down what little stressed hair she has left with 8lbs of beads too…
Don’t even get me started on that.
A baby getting a relaxer at 9mos even at 3 is so very unnecessary. I thought her short hair in the back looked better than the straight hair with the beads. I know someone who just had a baby who’s getting mad that the kid’s smooth hair is starting to kink up already. I wish black people would get off of that let me check my baby’s ears to see if they stay light, let me hope my baby keep that good hair mentality. It’s ignorant and you’re already corrupting your innocent baby into your foolishness and self-hatred.
Is there any way to talk to this person gently, perhaps showing her some blogs and videos as well? It may not be too late to get her to at least tolerate (I so hate that word!) natural hair, for the sake of her child if nothing else. I just hate the idea of a young baby being fed hate about their DNA-dictated hair. 🙁
WHAT!!!!! This is crazy!!! A perm @ 9 months old????? Are you serious??? That is child abuse!
Ummm why is this legal? We have drinking ages. Why is it okay to put harsh chemicals on a baby’s head?
I agree with the above enraged women; this is child abuse. This baby doesn’t understand why her head is burning or why it itches or why she’s in pain, she just knows that it happens when she’s around people who are supposed to BE TAKING CARE OF HER. *smh* This is a damn shame. The lengths people go to, to destroy “ethnic” hair.
This is a BABY for chrissakes!! I just can’t get over how anyone can do this to their child or allow someone to do this to their child, when they see the pain they’re going through. Terrible.
shows how backward some black people are. and they are raising their children to be like them. Really, burning the hair off the back of your baby’s head with chemical relaxers just to make her hair straight(er)? REALLY?
a mess. dumb mother.
I just want to know WHY they felt a baby needed to have her hair relaxed. She was a BABY! Most don’t have much hair at that age and even if they do, it still doesn’t warrant a relaxer. I mean, what the…?!
This is beyond ignorant! >:(
Im so hurt by this video. I have a three year old daughter and I wouldnt never put a perm in her hair, for the simple fact she is 3 and there folicles are not mature enough. Poor baby, OMG
Oh how sad Please don’t perm your children hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is insane!! At 3, that child does not even have a choice and it could cause permanent damage to her scalp. Why subject a child to that?? the mother is ignorant, I think.
I think the mother of the child in question is beyond ignorant. She’s plain stupid. I don’t know what her reaction was to someone applying a relaxer to the hair of her nine-month old infant daughter, but then to follow suit on several more occasions. I agree with a previous commenter: Mom should be cited for child abuse. No question in my mind whatsoever.
OK, my heart and mind just WILL NOT allow me to believe that someone would put those chemicals on a 9 month old. SMH. I was permed very early as well, maybe 2 or 3, but I had no recollection of my natural hair before I went natural 1.5 years ago. I can remember when I was maybe 10 or 11 an older girl was trying to tell me that my straight hair wasn’t my hair. I had NO CLUE what she was talking about at the time, but recently I realized what she was saying. I think part of that is a vicious cycle. My Mom had relaxed hair early, so she relaxed mine early. If it had not been for the natural movement/youtube, I probably would’ve permed my future daughter’s hair. I am not against perms completely, but I don’t think an elementary school child should get a perm OR WEAVE!!!!!! At least wait for the pre-teen years. SHEESH!
Screw it and I don’t care who is offended. Putting a perm in the hair of a child under the age of 13 is child abuse in my opinion.
Whoever did that to that child needs to be in front of a judge and jury. That is wrong!! Imagine that 9 month old baby’s scalp burning like it’s on fire!
these chemicals are known to cause cancer and increase the likelihood of heart issues later in life.
whyyyyyyyyy………………
Please people keep it beautifully natural!
Spread the good news!
What a shame. That beautiful baby has to walk around with her hair like that, due to ignorance…smh.
That is Child abuse, plain and simple.
Of course a parent makes the choice of how their child looks, but to use a chemical straightener on a 9MONTH OLD BABY who’s body and chemical balance and hair follicles are just beginning to develop is not even sad its criminal.
I know what my scalp was like after I had relaxers and I itched and itched- this poor girl would’ve been in agony ever since she was a baby! What the hell is wrong with this mother?? Even if her ‘daddy did her hair'(which is a likely story) that doesn’t mean you have to perpetuate the badness!
I’m glad to see she does have virgin hair on her head but that bald patch looks like a reaction to her young scalp and this harsh CHEMICAL!
This has pissed me off, I’m so glad my nieces have beautiful soft, curly NATURAL hair.
A chemical relaxer should NOT be applied to a 9 month old baby’s head PERIOD! How can a 9 month old baby tolerate the burning scalp sensation of a chemical relaxer? This could be classified as borderline negligence or abuse. Seeing that you can’t give a child honey or other potentially harmful foods before a certain age, likewise a CHEMICAL RELAXER!
From the pictures, it seems that her hair is growing back and will continue to grow if proper care and attention is given to it.
You’re right. Apparently beign products are also harmful to a baby. That’s why babies have their own shampoo, lotion etc. Their skin is still developing and it should not be exposed to any hair products much less a relaxer.
The fact that anyone permed a 9 month old baby reflects a bigger problem: some Black women have identity issues with not only themselves but also with their children. For many, our coils are to be altered and done away with lest society know just how coily our hair really is. In a society where straight hair is revered, the antithesis of that is shunned. I feel bad for the baby and even worse for the women in her life.
Very true. Some people treat hair like its a diseases needing to be cured.
Okay…let’s get one thing straight. I think putting a relaxer on a child that young is completely wrong, especially with the strong chemicals involved that can damage her scalp and her hair. (It already did). But, on the other hand, I can’t bash the mom or the babysitter. It’s simple ignorance on their part, because so many Black women in this country are taught that “caring” for their hair is slapping on some of the creamy-crack relaxer, to straighten out kinks and coils.
I am anti-relaxer… Yeah, it’s sad, and it breaks my heart for that child. But, I think that the hairdresser and the mother were probably, at one time, taught to hate their hair texture, if they even remember it. Many of them haven’t even seen, or remembered what their real hair texture is like. Hell, I didn’t even remember mine before going natural.
I just think that their actions arise from ignorance and the push for this society to instill in African-American women that our features are unacceptable and not beautiful.
its ignorance – pure and simple. but who is teaching that hair care simply involves slapping on a relaxer? anyone with an ounce of sense knows that a relaxer does not take care of itself. so its ignorance combined with something else _________ (i dont want to sound too harsh, so you can fill in the blank with whatever word they choose!)
smh……
That is so sad. I know someone who has been giving her daughter them since she was like 18 months. I always cringed when I saw her hair and spots missing.
Peace, Love and Chocolate
Tiffany
My heart is hurting…Even if the mother isn’t the one who put the perm in her daughters hair, she continued to relax it. It is completely on the mother. How can you blame someone else for doing this, when you allowed it in the first place. That is unacceptable and disgusting. That little girls head hasn’t even developed at 9 months. On top of that, the mother has the nerve to put the child’s hair into two permed pigtails at the top of her head. The mother needs to cut it off, let it go and let it grow…naturally.
I don’t think such a strong chemical of any kind should be used on babies. The child’s skull isn’t even fully formed at 9 months. It is sad to see, but at least the mother is attempting the make a change and the girl is too young to be completely devastated. On another note, I’m not sure if it is right to post this child’s face all over the internet. We should all refrain from exposing children for our own agenda. Although I completely agree with where you are coming from.
@Kali HHHB: Lol, “Clutches pearls”, that cracks me up!
This is obviously so sad and frustrating. I’m not quick to play the child abuse card when it comes to hair, but this is the closest I’ve seen. I truly believe this is a problem of information. It’s why I stay up all hours of the night working on my site. We have generations of women that have never dealt with their natural hair. They are just using relaxers to “cope”. We have to help more and criticize less. I know that’s easier said than done.
I don’t know what would possess someone to put a chemical like this anywhere near a young child much less a BABY! They’re little brains have so much more developing to do, their systems aren’t strong enough to cope with potential contraindications – can you imagine if the baby had experienced a serious allergic reaction and gotten really sick?
This just proves to me why there is still a need for the hair forums, blogs, YT channels and as many people as possible flaunting/modelling/silently increasing the profile of natural hair and it’s beauty so crazy people who will relax the hair of BABIES decrease and then finally cease to exist. Man! I can’t believe it.
(All this to say and I haven’t even watched the video cuz YT is blocked from work, lol)
That poor child’s mom & the “baby-sitter” who put the relaxer in need their arses whooped!! Period.
I agree. Charges should apply to that baby sitter for doing that without permission and physically harming that child. XC
I understand grown women who choose to relax but a 9 month old? That is to damn ridiculous the baby’s hair, skin and scalp are so soft and dedicate I can’t even imagine the thought process behind it let alone the actions. It is sad that kids are getting a relaxer younger and younger, I know the “minimum age” should be 6 but I think they need to raise it and stop the kiddie perm thing.
To be fair, the mother didn’t put the relaxer in at 9 months. But she allowed people to continue putting relaxers in the baby’s hair until she was three years old. Do we blame ignorance for this? Well certainly, she knows the danger now.
Nine months is just too early. I’ll never forget my mother got into an argument with a woman at the hair dresser who wanted to put a perm in my hair when I was six years old. She absolutely refused to do it that soon. I ended up getting a relaxer when I was nine years old. I don’t think I knew what a relaxer was, but then again, I was too busy playing to really care about my hair, so whatever my mom decided was fine with me.
It’s just…okay, over on YouTube, on the “I Love My Hair” video (the one we all love) someone asked if black women are so up in arms over natural hair that we need to have a spot on Sesame Street about it. YES. Things like this? That’s is why we needed it.
I agree with the other posters… this is insane and has to be a form of child abuse! This is just disgusting.
This is what we call child abuse…
I’m sure the mom meant no harm/didn’t know any better. But that goes to tell you WE NEED TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY INFORMED ABOUT OPTIONS & health. 9 months is BANANAS. Even me getting one at 3 was crazy, but I can say, I didn’t have bald spots until later on, when I started doing my own hair. No judgement, because I know that getting a perm for many of us was 2nd nature growing up if you had “highly textured” hair. But that still doesn’t make this situation right… at all! She has to take medication for it? Yeah,no good.
I get that it’s just hair but my God the burning, the sores, the hair loss – can this be a form of child abuse!?? I am so anti-perm on kids, it’s not even funny …and she’s a BABY. My heart aches.
a while back on another forum/blog we had the discussion of whether relaxing the hair of a child who is younger than 5 years old could be considered child abuse. i was surprised to see that many naturals didn’t think so, condering the long term physical and mental scars that can develop, but maybe they’d be will to rethink that standpoint if they saw this video.
But there has to be something on the label thats states you cant put those types of chemicals on a babies head. I am sorry to say this but it really is systematic of the hatred for natural hair. Anything is used to justify eradicating it from planet earth.
some people shouldn’t ever be parents, clearly. i swear, you put a relaxer on a 9 month old???? wtf? that is WAY too young…I personally think anything under like 8 years old is too young, but jesus
YIKES! *Clutches Pearls* This hurts my heart!!!!! I’m going on a campaign, I can’t take this, she is WAY TOO YOUNG! 9 months though? Hot dayum… I had a perm young, but 9 months is INSANE! That should be illegal.