Our three year old just started sitting still to get her hair done. There are days she still fidgets and so bantu knots have become a family favorite. Here’s why…
1. Quick & Easy
Even if you don't know how to do hair, bantu knots are a super easy style for anyone to learn. Plus they're quicker than twisting or braiding the hair.
2. Perfect For Short Or Long Hair
For a while I kept their hair short. Bantu knots are an easy style that looks cute on short and long hair. For shorter hair, we part more sections of hair and the knots are smaller.
3. Protective Style
Braids aren't the only protective style. Twisting and tucking the hair into a bantu knot keeps the ends protected.
4. Stretch Hair
Bantu knots are also an easy way to stretch the hair. When we take the knots out the hair is stretched, fluffy, soft and easy to detangle.
If you're just learning how to do bantu knot, there are so many cute tutorials. To help you find everything in one place, we included links to the tools and products in each video below. If we could not find the exact product, we linked to a similar one.
This first video shows an adorable girl with triangle parts and 10 knots.
Her mom starts at the back of her head and uses...
Next, features an adorable toddler with 8 knots. Her mom suggests following the arch of her daughter eyebrows to guide the triangle parts.
She uses...
And this mom included 6 knots in the front of her daughter's hair and did a cute twist out for the back.
She uses...
How Long Do Bantu Knots Last?
Bantu knots can last a full week (on any texture). But there are two main reasons they can be short-lived. Bantu knots can unravel naturally overtime or they can become frizzy at the base. To ensure that bantu knots continue to look neat throughout the week, you can have your child wear a scarf, sleeping cap, or bonnet. If your family is like ours and doesn't like to wear night protection, you can redo the bantu knots daily. They are a super quick style, so it doesn't take long.
Why Do Bantu Knots Unravel?
If the ends of the hair are not securely tucked under the knot, they can unravel. This can happen if there is not enough hair remaining to hold the knot in place. To stop bantu knots from unraveling, you can secure them with a tiny elastic.
Can Bantu Knots Cause Damage?
Yes, you can unknowingly cause damage with bantu knots. While bantu knots are known for protecting the ends of the hair, if they are installed too tight they can pull at the roots. This can cause damage on the hair line or the rest of the scalp. Signs of too much pull can be bumps or taut skin on the scalp. Some may twist super tight to ensure that the bantu knot stays in place and doesn't unravel.
Another issue that can arise is movement restriction. After installing the bantu knots, ask your child to rotate their head clockwise and counter-clockwise. If you notice they are stiff or get stuck in any direction, try turning the knot in the opposite direction that you installed them. This loosens the knot from the scalp without unraveling it.
Are Bantu Knots Hard To Sleep On?
They can be. If you position the bantu knots close to the frame of the face, they can be super uncomfortable to sleep on. Similar to how bed risers hold up a bed, bantu knots hold up the head. This prevents your child from lowering their head and laying it flat on the bed.
Depending on how you form bantu knots they can be fairly pointy or rounded on top. They are also super hard and sometimes tall, by design. This means sleeping on bantu knots often resembles sleeping on hard rollers or rocks.
To prevent this, try positioning the knots away from the hair line (away from your little ones edges and nape of their neck). This way there is nothing obstructing your child from comfortably laying their head down.
Have you tried bantu knots? How do you style them?
Until next time,
Love The Journey,
