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HAIR CARE FOR BABIES
Together with taking care of the baby’s diet, overall health and his diaper needs and potty training, and many other chores that come along with having a baby, attention towards his hair and scalp is equally important. Most mothers do not concentrate much on shampooing and hair care which results in irritable scalp for the baby.
Hair at Birth
Most babies are born with some hair while some others are born bald but hair start growing normally after the third or fourth month. The initial baby hair is light in color, extremely soft and scanty and falls off and new hair growth begins which is much thicker and fuller and grows in a fixed pattern with the color of the hair darker too. So, don’t hit the panic button just as yet and though the hair may be scanty initially, taking proper care is vital.
Scalp and Hair
Babies develop a yellow flaky buildup on the scalp in the initial days of their birth called “cradle scalp”, this may look slightly reddish or pink in color which gradually falls away.
Skin also might appear reddish on the forehead, eyes, behind the ears and also near the diaper area. However if it gets severe , its advised to visit the doctor.
Using a brush with very soft bristles is ideal for cradle cap.
Regular shampooing is not necessary as the hair is minimal, once in a week is all that is needed. Being gentle while washing the hair is important as the baby’s head is extremely soft and make sure that the hair is not tangled while washing lest it might hurt your baby. Ensure that the baby’s hair doesn’t come into his eyes and that it is properly trimmed.
Baby Shampoos
- Always use shampoos recommended for babies as they are not harsh on the baby and do not contain harsh chemicals that are generally found in shampoos for adults.
- Always try to get bay shampoos that maintain the PH balance between 4.5 to 6, as even as it gets into the baby’s eyes sometimes, it doesn’t cause much of pain.
- Make sure the shampoo used does not get the hair tangling.
- Wash the hair during regular baths , this wouldn’t cause much of an agony to the baby as both the things get done at one shot.
Shaving
The most common practice with moms is, they believe that shaving the baby’s head once will remove the initial scanty soft hair and thicker darker hair starts growing. This is an absolute myth and no truth that supports this. It’s usually believed to be so as once the hair is cut, all the frizzy and trouble some hair is lost, hair grows again with regular pattern and appears thicker and fuller.