How to Wash Your Baby’s Hair?

Now that you are a parent to a newborn, you’re likely to have tons of questions regarding raising your little one and taking care of him the right way. One of the questions that you will have as you start taking care of your baby and settling in your new routine with him will be concerning washing his hair. Of course, you want to keep your baby tidy and clean, and you’re likely to ask, “How to wash a newborn’s hair in a safe manner?” Well, we have the answer for you. In this article, we will tell you how to wash baby hair, how often to wash the newborn’s hair, and more.

When Can You Start Washing Your Baby’s Hair?

You can start washing your baby’s hair right from birth. Typically, a nurse will handle the first bath in the hospital to clean the baby’s skin before dressing them. Many parents feel a bit anxious about washing their baby’s hair for the first time, but with some simple tips, you’ll find it’s not as daunting as it seems. Newborns don’t require daily baths, and washing their hair once or twice a week is sufficient.

How Often Should You Wash Your Baby’s Hair?

Similar to giving a bath to your baby, washing his hair should not require any specific routine. Washing it too frequently can remove the necessary oils that the scalp needs to remain healthy. At times, simply using a sponge dipped in water to clean it up should suffice. If the weather is sticky or you have travelled around quite a bit with your child, then washing the hair might be a good idea.

Benefits of Washing Infant’s Hair

Washing an infant’s hair is an essential part of their overall hygiene routine. It keeps their scalp clean and promotes a healthy bonding experience. Following are the benefits of washing newborn hair.

1. Maintains Scalp Hygiene

Regularly washing your baby’s hair helps remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that can accumulate on the scalp. This is important for preventing conditions like cradle cap, which is characterized by flaky, crusty patches on the baby’s head.

2. Encourages Relaxation and Bonding

The gentle act of washing your baby’s hair can be a calming and soothing experience for both the baby and the parent. The warm water and tender massage help the baby relax, fostering a sense of security and enhancing the bond between parent and child.

3. Promotes Healthy Hair Growth

Keeping the scalp clean can contribute to healthier hair growth. By washing away impurities and maintaining a clean environment, you help create optimal conditions for your baby’s hair to grow strong and healthy.

How to Wash Newborn Hair?

One of the major things mothers worry about is how to wash a baby’s hair. For that, here’s how you should give your baby a bath and wash his hair in the right manner.

• Firstly when washing infant hair, ensure that the bathroom is clean and comfortable. The temperature should be warm and everything that you need to give him a bath and to wash his hair should be next to you. At no point should you leave the baby alone.
• Wet his hair, then take some shampoo on your palm, rub it between your palms, and apply it on his head, making sure it reaches the scalp. If your kid starts pushing your hand around, give him his favourite bath toy or start singing a song along and make it seem like a friendly activity.
• To prevent the water from entering the eyes, a simple way is to let gravity do the job. Use your arms to slightly lean your baby back so that water will drip from the back and won’t reach his face.
• Be gentle while you wash his hair as your baby’s head and scalp will be soft and tender. Using a simple sponge can do the trick. Wet his hair first, then run a soapy sponge gently on his head in a rhythm that goes with the song you are humming. It will clean his hair and scalp and will keep your little one smiling as well.
• There would be soft spots on the top of the head and care needs to be taken to not press on them too hard.
• Do not keep the baby wet for too long. Once it has been cleaned, quickly rinse and then dry using a towel. This will prevent him from catching a cold.

What About Sparse Hair and Thick Tangled Hair?

Washing a baby’s hair can be a difficult business. However, sometimes the hair has its own mind and comes with a whole new challenge making washing even more difficult.

1. Sparse Hair

• Washing your child’s hair when there is barely any could make you worry about him. However, it is totally fine since many kids have good hair growth at a later stage in life.
• For such kids, washing their hair once a week is more than enough. Less hair does not mean that you need not wash it. The scalp requires attention and should be kept clean.
• At the same time, the oil that’s secreted on the scalp is necessary for its healthy well-being. Therefore, washing it frequently is a strict no-no.

2. Thick Tangled Hair

• If your child has thick or curly hair and keeps getting tangled, you can use a hair conditioner to prevent it from getting tangled.
• In such cases, shampoo is not necessary for every single wash. Water, followed by some conditioner, is good enough to do the job.
• While using a sprayed conditioner, make sure it reaches the ends, especially at the areas where the knots are higher.

What If the Baby Does Not Like Getting His Hair Washed?

Your baby may not like getting his hair washed if he has had a scary incident associated with bathing or if the shampoo has entered his eyes and caused a burning sensation. He may throw tantrums and cry, but you can make it a fun-filled activity for him so that he starts enjoying it.

Tips to Make the Process of Washing Baby Hair a Little Easier

Many babies don’t like it when someone washes their hair. Yes, babies are extremely fussy, but that does not mean you should listen to their cries all the time. His well-being should be your major concern. So, if your baby cries while you try to wash his hair, there are a few tips you can try that will make the entire process of washing your baby’s hair easier:

• Keep the bath short and quick.
• Go for a no-tears shampoo that smells good.
• Use a sponge to clean the hair.
• Do not make the baby lean without support.
• Gently massage the head when you wash. This may calm him.

Ways to Dry Your Baby’s Hair Properly

Drying your baby’s hair properly after washing is crucial to ensure their comfort and avoid any potential skin irritation. Here are several gentle methods to dry your baby’s hair effectively.

1. Pat Dry With a Soft Towel

After washing, gently pat your baby’s hair with a soft towel to absorb excess water. Avoid rubbing the towel on their scalp, as this can cause irritation and damage to their delicate hair and skin.

2. Use a Hooded Towel

A hooded towel can be particularly useful for keeping your baby’s head warm while drying their hair. Place the hood over your baby’s head and gently pat the hair dry, allowing the towel to absorb the moisture.

3. Let It Air Dry

If the environment is warm enough, letting your baby’s hair air dry is a gentle and effective method. Simply ensure that your baby is in a comfortable, draft-free area while their hair dries naturally.

4. Avoid Hair Dryers

It’s best to avoid using hair dryers on your baby’s hair, as the heat can be too intense for their sensitive scalp and hair. Stick to gentle methods like towel drying and air drying to keep your baby comfortable and safe.

FAQs

1. When should I start using shampoo to wash my baby’s hair?

Newborn babies do not require shampoos for washing their hair. Introduce shampoos only after your baby is around 2 months old or so.

2. What if my baby is bald?

Hormones or hereditary conditions can cause your baby to be bald. Nevertheless, the scalp still needs to be cared for. Wash it once a week with less water since there’s no hair to hold the water. Make sure his eyes are protected at all times.

3. What products should you use to wash your baby’s hair?

Make use of a shampoo that is baby-friendly and helps moisturize the scalp too. Never use a shampoo meant for adults. Opt for a shampoo that has a pH value ranging from 4.5 to 6.

4. Can I use conditioner on my baby’s hair?

Conditioner is generally not necessary for infants, especially if they have short or sparse hair. If your baby has longer hair that tends to tangle, you can use a small amount of baby conditioner. Ensure it is specifically formulated for infants and free from harsh chemicals to avoid irritation.

Bathing a newborn baby becomes an activity that gets challenging over time. When washing a newborn baby’s hair for the first time, it is necessary to note that shampoos should not be used up until 6-8 weeks after the baby’s delivery. A clean scalp and healthy hair are not difficult to attain and you, too, will learn to adjust to your baby’s tendencies.

References/Resources:

1. What is Cradle Cap?; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/bathing-skin-care/Pages/Cradle-Cap.aspx

2. Hair Loss (Alopecia) in Children; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Hair-Loss-Alopecia.aspx

3. 10 hair care habits that can damage your hair; American Academy of Dermatology Association; https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/habits-that-damage-hair

4. Baby bath basics: A parent’s guide; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438

5. Grubbs. H, Nassereddin. A, Morrison. M; Embryology, Hair; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534794/

6. Furdon. S, Clark. D; Scalp hair characteristics in the newborn infant (Advances in Neonatal Care); National Library of Medicine; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14695500/; December 2003

7. Washing and bathing your baby; NHS; https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/caring-for-a-newborn/washing-and-bathing-your-baby/

Also Read: 

Baby Hair Loss
Baby Hair Growth Tips
Olive Oil for Baby Hair
Essential Tips for Baby Hair Care
Home Remedies to Remove Baby Hair Naturally

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