Here's how to deal with that giant knot in your kid's hair (without too many tears)

There is nothing worse than sitting down to brush your little one’s hair only to discover a giant knot lurking at the nape of their neck.

Sitting there mocking you as you determine if suffering through the trauma of trying to get it out is better than just getting a scissors and chopping it right off.

However, before you reach for the clippers, why not give our tips a go and see how you get on.

Sure if it doesn’t work out, remember: hair grows. Hair grows.

1. Make sure their hair is wet

Brushing a knot out of dry hair is not going to be a particularly pleasant experience for either of you; make sure it is wet, and stays wet.

2. Use plenty of conditioner

Lots and lots of conditioner.

A leave-in conditioner is the best as it keeps the hair wet while working to de-tangle it at the same time. Opt for a spray one, if possible; alternatively, you can make your own by mixing water and conditioner together in a spray bottle. You can pick one of these bottles up cheaply in the likes of Tiger or Dealz.   

3. Don’t dive straight in and brush the knot directly

Instead, hold the knot in your hand tightly and start by brushing the tips of the hair. Gradually make your way up to the tangle by using short, quick strokes to loosen up the hair. Stick with a brush as using your fingers can actually pull more of those pesky hair strands that stick out.  

And remember, slow and steady wins the race.

4. So what type of brush should you use?

Go for a wide tooth comb over a narrow version which can pull tiny strands of hair (incredibly painful). If knots are constantly re-occurring in your little one’s hair, a special de-tangle brush will probably be a good investment. Trust us – we’ve been there.