11/28/2023 0 Comments Black baby boys with plaits![]() The stigma of the "strong Black woman" Trusted Source University of California - Berkeley Does Being a 'Superwoman' Protect African American Women's Health? See All Sources having to suppress emotions and hide vulnerabilities may also have an impact. Millions of Americans Live in 'Maternity Care Deserts' With Little to No Access to Prenatal Care A number of factors may play a role, including lack of health insurance, racism and implicit bias in the medical community, as well as less support so Black mothers can take time for themselves away from their babies. Research shows that Black women are more at risk for developing postpartum depression and related conditions, yet less likely to receive treatment. What role do braids play in self-care for Black parents? And the reassurance that, much like my hair, I could hold it together for my babies. My box braids provided something I was afraid to say I needed: confidence to weather all the unknowns of the postpartum period amid my growing fear that I couldn’t do it all. Though I was fortunate enough to have a mother who spent the first few nights at home with my husband and me when our baby was born, we lacked paid parental leave, a doula and a means for covering the balance of my child’s complicated delivery. While nesting refers to the natural instinct to get the home ready for a baby's arrival, hair braiding was my way of preparing myself for the reality that my husband and I would likely be entering parenthood with little societal support. It was soon clear why braids were just as much a part of nesting in the Black birthing experience as cleaning and organizing. This is especially important for infants, as their hair is so delicate and fine it would take very little effort to cause a lot of damage.Yet, while I knew I was supposed to get my hair braided at the 36-week mark of pregnancy, as an inexperienced mother, I didn’t quite grasp how instrumental it was to have those braids in my arsenal for postpartum support. If you are a woman of color and you have textured hair yourself, you know how important it is to take care of it. Also, avoid styles that pull on your child's hair too tightly, because that can cause it to fall out. Rubber bands will cause friction on the hair and leave it badly damaged. When you style their hair, use smooth bands or covered elastic bands. However, as they get older, try out different tyles depending on how long your baby's hair is. They are a choking hazard for one thing, and they can also cause the delicate hair to break. At the early stages of your child's life, avoid putting in heavy clips or decorations. When you leave a baby's hair loose and natural, you give it a chance to grow longer and stronger. Don't try to comb it out while it's dry, and a tiny amount of oil or cream moisturizer can help to detangle without tears. ![]() While you do this, only use a wide-tooth comb or soft bristle brush. You can comb out the tangles to prevent breakage. Virgin coconut oil or olive oil massaged into her hair and scalp could do wonders, but if you find you want a little something more to protect the texture, check out some of these products: Shampoo, Leave-in Conditioner / Daily Moisturizer, Moisturizing Hair Mist.īeautiful textured hair is kinky and it tangles easily. ![]() There are a lot of products out there that can care for textured hair, but at this stage in your child's life, you need to use natural products. After you wash your baby's hair, you need to make sure it retains the moisture to avoid breaking.
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