Your Baby’s First Haircut: Everything You Should Know

Your baby’s first haircut is not a medical procedure, and contrary to popular belief, your baby’s first haircut – and future haircuts – will not make your hair grow faster.

It is up to parents to decide when they want to cut their baby’s hair for the first time.

Babies are usually born with a bit of hair. Some have lots of hair, while others are born with just a few, fine hairs.

This difference is genetic. But there is no guarantee of baldness later in life just because your baby has thick hair.

A newborn baby’s hair is delicate, as are their skin and nails. It tends to fall out during the first few days. Especially on the back of the head where the baby is resting.

Your baby’s first haircut: when is the right time?

There is no real time for your baby’s first haircut. The decision depends on the parents’ wishes and common sense.

An important thing to keep in mind is that babies often regulate their temperature through their head. After your baby’s first haircut, make sure you do not expose them to cold.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that babies go through many changes after birth.

They are exposed to hundreds of new stimuli as soon as they get used to living outside the womb.

For this reason , some specialists recommend that you wait one to two months with your baby’s first haircut. 

A good reason to wait with your baby’s first haircut is for children to learn to keep their own head up from 3 months and up. 

This will make the process a little easier. And it gets even easier when they are 5 or 6 months old, where they can even sit up.

How to cut your baby’s hair

Some parents even prefer to cut their baby’s hair at home. Others leave it to a hairdresser who can cut children.

The fact is that if you just need to cut some tips, then a piece of scissors and a calm hand is all you need.

Another way to cut your baby’s hair is with an electric clipper. It will allow you to choose the length you want.

If you use an electric mower, make sure it is slow. Avoid putting pressure on your baby’s head.

The best time for your baby’s first haircut is when the baby is sitting comfortably. 

Good times for a haircut are when your child has just eaten, or is sitting and playing with a toy. You do not need to wet the hair before cutting it as the strands are already very fine.

Advice for your baby’s first haircut

• Safety first. Although it is not very risky to cut a baby’s hair, it is important to make some reservations. For example, you need to keep their head in place to avoid sudden movements. It may be necessary to have another adult nearby the first time.
• Be sure to keep the scissors or mower away from your child. This is especially important if he or she is already moving around without your help.
• Wait for the right time. The sound of clippers or the movement of scissors can make babies bored. For this reason, it is much easier to cut your baby’s hair when they are relaxed. Wait until another day if they cry.
• Wrap a towel around your child’s shoulders to catch the hair when it falls out. You can also give your baby a bath after shearing. This helps to avoid discomfort from the loose hair.

• Avoid scrapers. Scrapers should under no circumstances be used to cut a baby’s hair. Razor blades are too harsh on sensitive skin and you can cut their delicate scalp.

Cradle hood and haircuts

Cradle cap is a crusty layer that can appear in a baby’s scalp during the first months of their life. 

No one knows what causes cradle cap, but it is completely harmless. It may look like dandruff, but it generally has a yellowish color.

While this should not affect your baby’s initial clipping, a layer of crib caps can sometimes get stuck on the skin.

For this reason, it is a good idea to consult a specialist before attempting to cut your child’s hair.

One way to get rid of cradle cap is by gently rubbing their scalp with a soft brush.