Breakage is high-key sneaky when it comes to natural hair. Your child’s curls can look like the picture of health when in their natural state. But then, you begin to notice little half curls on the sink or on the back of their shirt. Or worse, you go to straighten their hair and come to the shocking realization that the health you thought your child’s hair possessed was actually a farce. I know that’s what happened when I pressed Winnie’s hair for the first time. The reality of the state of her hair was sobering. The ends weren’t smooth — they were jagged, uneven, and fragile. That’s when I realized: We had a serious breakage problem.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Hair breakage is incredibly common in kids with textured hair. Natural textures are dry more often and tend to be delicate. Add frequent styling to the equation, and well, you’ve got a recipe for breakage on your hands. The good news? Once you understand it, you can prevent it.
Let’s start with the basics.
Why Is My Child’s Hair Breaking?
If you’re noticing tiny hairs in the comb, on the bathroom floor, or all over your child’s clothing, or just noticing that your child’s hair has been the same length for years, you may be dealing with hair breakage—not just regular shedding.
This is one of the most common challenges parents face when caring for natural hair in kids. Worse, breakage in natural hair can be incredibly difficult to spot. And while breakage can feel like a total mystery to navigate, it’s completely fixable with the right approach.
In this 3-part blog series, we’re breaking down breakage—what it is, what causes it, and how to prevent it using kid-friendly, moisture-rich hair care practices. Breakage is preventable—and we’re going to show you exactly how to stop it in its tracks. However, we first need to become proficient at identifying what breakage is and what it is not.
What Is Hair Breakage in Natural Hair?
Hair breakage happens when the strand snaps somewhere along the shaft, often due to dryness, tension, or mechanical damage (like rough combing).
This is different from shedding, which is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. According to Harvard Health, the average person sheds between 50 – 100 strands each day.
🧠 How to Tell the Difference:
- Shedding: Long strands with a tiny white bulb at the end (from the root)
- Breakage: Short, uneven pieces with no bulb—often brittle or dry
Knowing the difference helps you respond the right way and prevent further damage.
Common Signs of Hair Breakage in Children
Not sure if your child’s hair is breaking? Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for:
- Thinning or frayed ends
- Short broken hairs near the crown or hairline
- Hair that “won’t grow past a certain length”
- Tangling or matting that gets worse over time
- Dull or rough texture, even after moisturizing
These symptoms often point to dryness or a weak moisture barrier—especially in curly, coily hair types.
NOTE: If you’re unsure about the true health of your child’s hair, consider gently blowing it out or visiting a licensed stylist who specializes in natural hair care. A blowout can give you a clearer look at the condition of their strands — especially the ends, where breakage often hides.
If you choose to blow it out at home, be sure to take proper precautions, including using a high-quality heat protectant and working in small sections to minimize chances of heat damage.
Why Hair Breakage Matters for Kids with Natural Hair
Hair breakage can slow down progress when you’re trying to grow and maintain healthy hair. What’s often misunderstood is that hair is always growing. However, although your child’s hair is growing from the root, breakage prevents length retention, which is key for healthy, thriving curls. This is why it may appear as though your child’s hair is always the same length.
It can also cause:
- Difficulty styling
- More tangles during detangling
- Low confidence in children as they notice breakage
- More split ends and frizz over time
3 Myths About Hair Breakage in Kids’ Hair Care
There tends to be a bit of misinformation floating around about hair breakage and hair growth. Let’s bust a few myths we hear all the time in the natural hair community:
❌ “My child’s hair just doesn’t grow.”
Truth: It is growing. It’s always growing—you may just not be seeing the length due to ongoing breakage.
❌ “It’s just genetics.”
Truth: While texture can be inherited, proper moisture and protection play a much bigger role in breakage prevention.
❌ “Protective styles will fix everything.”
Truth: Protective styles only helps if the hair already has a healthy foundation. Once the hair underneath is in a healthy state, the hair needs to be regularly cleansed, moisturized, and sealed.
How We’re Tackling Breakage—Introducing Hydro Coil: The Ultimate Hydration System
At Winnie & Co, we believe healthy hair starts with hydration and a solid routine. That’s why we’re so excited to give you a sneak peek at our upcoming Hydro Coil System— an ultra-hydrating, salon-quality hair care system, thoughtfully crafted just for kids. Designed with love and backed by science, this comprehensive system includes everything you need to develop a complete routine to nourish, protect, and define every curl.
🎉 Coming Soon: Hydro Coil Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo
Say hello to hydration from the very first step. First up is our Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo, which is a gentle yet powerful cleanser that removes buildup without stripping away the moisture curly, coily, and high porosity hair needs to thrive.
Formulated with premium, kid-friendly ingredients, this nourishing shampoo softens and replenishes as it cleanses, leaving the scalp refreshed and strands prepped for deep hydration. Perfect for dry, delicate textures, it creates a rich lather that rinses clean—no tangles, no tears, just soft, happy curls.
Stay tuned for the full launch and more product reveals soon!
What’s Next in the Series: Hair Breakage Causes
Now that you know what breakage is and how to spot it, Part 2 of our Curl Clinic series will cover the real causes of breakage in kids’ natural hair—including:
- Over-manipulation
- Lack of moisture
- Heat or style tension
- Harsh detangling practices
👀 Want to be the first to know when it drops?
Join our email list or follow us on Instagram @winniexcompany
Final Thoughts: Breakage Is Not the End of the Story
With the right information and products, you can protect your child’s hair from breakage and help them love and care for their crown with confidence.
Want to build a better routine now?
Explore our 3-step system:
Cleanse & Condition → Moisturize → Seal
➡️ [Shop the Hydrated & Healthy Kit]