Picture this: you’re finally picking up your Little One at daycare after a busy day at work. You might be tired and longing for a relaxing time at home because you managed to meal prep in advance and all other household chores are under control!
As your child approaches for the pick-up, you notice something different in their hair… and immediately realize you might be up for a busier night than expected because there’s something sticky going on there.
All Moms and Dads eventually face this popular internet query: how to get gum out of my child’s hair?
First Step: Keep Calm!
The previous scenario might be unlikely, but getting gum stuck in your hair is quite a common situation.
Your child might be upset because of the gum and scared that it won’t come out, so your first response must be to calm them down and let them know you’ll be able to manage that!
Assure your Little One that there are many options to solve it and that you will do it together.
Techniques on How to Gum Out of Hair
Let’s get into business. When faced with the sticky challenge of gum stuck in your child’s hair, a methodical approach can save the day.
Separate the hair section
Begin by carefully isolating the section of hair with the gum from the rest. Use a hair clip or elastic band to tie back unaffected strands.
This prevents spreading the gum to other parts of the hair and allows you to focus on the problem area.
Use coconut oil
Coconut oil is a gentle, natural remedy that’s safe for children. Apply a generous amount of coconut oil to the affected area and massage it into the gum and hair.
The oil helps break down the gum’s stickiness, making it easier to slide out. Use a comb to gently work the gum out, starting from the tips and moving upward.
Try Other Oils
If you don’t have coconut oil on hand, other household oils like olive oil, vegetable oil, or baby oil can also work.
For children with sensitive scalps, consider child-specific hair oils, which are designed to be mild and effective.
Peanut butter
This is a classic trick! Its natural oils help to loosen the gum’s grip on the hair. Apply a small amount of peanut butter directly to the gum and hair, then gently massage it in. Once the gum starts to loosen, use a comb to remove it.
Here’s a video instruction from the American Academy of Dermatology.
Vinegar
If oil-based products aren’t available, vinegar can be a lifesaver.
Soak the affected area in vinegar, allowing it to sit for a few minutes to dissolve the gum’s adhesive properties. Be prepared for the smell—though it’s not the most pleasant solution, it’s highly effective.
After successfully removing the gum using one of these techniques, wash the hair with shampoo to remove any residue from the oils or vinegar.
What Not to Use to Get Gum Out of Hair
While there are many remedies for removing gum from hair, certain methods are less effective or potentially harmful.
Shampooing immediately: shampoo alone cannot remove gum. It’s designed to clean the hair but lacks the properties to break down gum’s stickiness. Use shampoo only after the gum is removed to clean the hair.
Ice cubes: while freezing the gum with ice cubes can harden it, this technique often makes it more brittle and difficult to remove. Oil-based products are a safer and more reliable choice.
Toothpaste: though once touted as a solution, toothpaste is outdated and ineffective. It doesn’t have the necessary properties to dissolve or loosen gum and could lead to unnecessary frustration.
Managing the Gum on the Hair Situation
After solving the immediate issue and removing the gum from the child’s hair, you might want to investigate what happened first.
Talking with the adults in charge
It could be something as simple as an unfortunate accident, but there might be something else going on.
Talk with the daycare’s supervisors and educators overseeing the children when the incident happened.
Hear their version of the story to make sure there’s no indication of bullying or other aggressive behaviors from other children towards yours.
Talking with your child
Don’t skip the chance of talking to your kid about the situation as well.
Be specific in asking them what actually happened, how the gum turned out on their hair, and if they’re sure it wasn’t because someone else stuck the gum in them.
Also explain that these questions are not to make the child insecure or suspicious of their daycare buddies, but just a conversation to teach the child to take care of themselves!
Keep your tone light and supportive as you ask the questions and continue the discussion.
Getting gum out of children’s hair doesn’t have to be a stressful situation! Now you have the resources on what to do, and what to avoid to get your Little One’s lovely hair back on track and avoid any unnecessary haircuts.
Since we’re on the topic of taking care of your child’s physical health, keep reading and learn the importance and first steps on watch for your child’s skincare!
