This is your ultimate baby haircut guide! Nothing like feeling your baby's soft, clean hair against your cheek. But as your little one grows, you'll want to give them a haircut that lets them look their best—and that doesn't hurt.
So, when is it time for a haircut? How do you choose a style that will work with your baby's natural hair? And once you're ready to get started, where do you go?
We've got all the answers right here. First, let's talk about why your baby might need a haircut.
Baby Haircut - Why It Needs to Be Done
I'm sure you've been wondering when your little one will get their first haircut. It's a big moment in any child's life. However, parents know that baby haircut can be a sticky topic. How do you get a baby to stay put to get his haircut? Won't he get hurt?
First, let's talk about what happens when your baby is born. Babies are perfectly fine with their hair being long and loose, but as they grow older, it becomes more difficult for them to move around. It also can get tangled very easily, which can cause discomfort for your baby when trying to move around or sleep comfortably.
Now that you know why babies need haircuts at some point in their lives, it's time to figure out what kind of cut is right for them! You'll want to ensure that the person who cuts their hair has experience working with babies because cutting their hair too short could lead to pain or injury (especially if they have an infection).
At What Age Should a Baby Get His First Haircut
It's a great question: when should your baby get his first haircut? The answer depends on several factors, including the length of your baby's hair, how much it grows in a day, and how well you can handle scissors.
The best way to know is to look at your baby's hair. If you see any of the following, it's probably time for a baby haircut:
- It's longer than an inch or two. That can be hard to tell when they're lying down, so you might have to pick them up and look at their profile.
- The ends are split and split further. This is a sign that the hair is getting too long for the stem cells in the follicle to keep producing new cells at the same rate that they're being broken off by friction against things like clothing and crib bumpers. That means they'll start breaking off more frequently, which can cause tangles and prevent proper circulation around the scalp area.
- There are knots or clumps of hair coming out in clumps when you brush it through (or pull on one strand). This means that some parts of your baby's hair probably need more attention than others—and probably need more frequent brushing—but it could also mean that some bald patches are developing under all that matted texture!
Where to Get Baby’s First Haircut
You might wonder whether you should get your baby's first haircut at home or in a salon. Both options have pros and cons, depending on your preferences and the type of hair your baby has.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding where baby haircut needs to be done:
Home
If you're worried about how the baby will do with this procedure and might trigger stranger anxiety, doing their haircut at home is the best option.
You can take all the time you need when you give your baby a haircut to ensure they feel comfortable, and no strangers will be involved if something goes wrong. You'll also see how much hair you've cut off, so there won't be any surprises when it comes time for another trim.
You might feel more comfortable doing it yourself because you'll have more control over the process, but you'll need a lot of time and patience. You could make things worse if you're unsure what you're doing.
Salon
Meanwhile, if you're nervous about how you're going to do the baby's haircut and you feel you can't shake your nerves to do it, then you're better off leaving it to the pros when it comes to a baby haircut.
You'll have someone else cutting your baby's hair, so they'll know what they're doing and can do it quickly without worrying if their cuts are too short or uneven.
They'll have all the tools they need already set up and ready to go, so they don't have to worry about finding a pair of scissors or combing gel out of little fingers before cutting. They whip out their clippers and get right down to business!
But, of course, having someone else do it means paying for their services.
It's important to remember that either way will be fine for most babies! They won't remember much about their first haircut, so choose whichever option seems best for your needs!
How to Cut Baby's Hair
Cutting baby hair is a delicate process. Giving your baby a haircut is not just about getting it done—it's about doing it right! We've got tips and tricks for cutting your baby's hair like a pro so that you can feel confident in your job.
- Wash your hands with soap and water before cutting your baby's hair, and dry them thoroughly afterwards. A wet hand can irritate your baby and make them uncomfortable during the haircut process.
- Consider wearing gloves when giving your baby a haircut if you have long nails. Long nails can scratch babies' scalps and cause bleeding or infection if their heads are bumped while being cut.
- Use a comb with rounded teeth rather than straight ones (which could cause snags in their follicles). Comb through their hair before starting; this will help detangle any knots, so they don't get snagged on anything while you're working on them later down the line!
- Hold your baby's head firmly in place with one hand while using scissors or clippers to snip off excess hair with the other hand. Be careful not to cut too close to the scalp!
- Wait to cut too close to their scalp unless instructed by a professional stylist or doctor first (and even then, only do so under supervision). Cutting too close could lead to baldness or an uneven haircut.
More Tips For Giving Baby a Haircut
We want to help you get through this challenging time so that you can enjoy your baby's beautiful locks in all its glory! Here are some tips on how to cut baby hair:
- Choose a time when your baby is sleepy or happy.
- Get the proper tools.
- Create a safe place to work.
- It would be best to have someone to assist you while giving your baby a haircut.
- Read up on the different techniques for cutting baby hair.
- Be realistic about the results -- you're not going to be able to make your baby look like a mini George Clooney.
Whether you're the one giving baby a haircut or you opted to bring them in the salon, make sure you keep your baby entertained. Some baby salons have toys or tablets set up to keep their client preoccupied. You can let baby play with a toy or have someone read a book to him while you're doing the haircut.
How to Grow Baby Hair
Growing your baby's hair is much like growing your own—except it's easier because you're not doing anything!
The main thing to remember is that your baby's hair will grow at different speeds, depending on their hair type. For example, if your baby has curly hair, you should expect it to grow much more slowly than if they have straight or wavy hair.
In general, you don't need to do anything other than wait and see what happens. Your baby's hair will grow as long as it wants to grow, and there's no way for you to make it grow faster or slower than nature intended.
Here are some tips on how to do it right:
- Take extra good care of your baby’s scalp.
- Avoid too much sun exposure.
- Keep your baby’s hair moisturised.
- Use oil-based massage
- Massage your baby’s scalp
- Let your baby's hair dry naturally as much as possible.
- Wash and condition every other day or so. Use a gentle shampoo for baby's hair
If you follow these steps, your baby should be able to grow a healthy head of hair in no time!
Baby Haircut: Does Baby Hair Grow Faster if You Trim It
The short answer is: no. Baby hair doesn't grow faster if you trim it. Shaving it won't do the trick either.
But that doesn't mean you shouldn't trim your baby's hair!
The best thing you can do for your baby's hair is to keep it clean and healthy by brushing and combing it regularly. You should also be sure to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo on their head and body—this will help with dry skin and cradle cap, which can be common in newborns and babies.
If your child has particularly thick or curly hair, we recommend using a soft brush to gently detangle their hair and an oil-based leave-in conditioner on the ends of their locks once or twice a week. This will help keep their locks healthy while also preventing breakage over time.
Baby haircut may be a daunting task, but with enough guidance, patience and dedication, we know that you'll get the job done. Good luck!
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it's important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn't serve as an alternative for medical advice or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible for those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.