Washing a baby hair is one of the most challenging tasks for new parents. Especially when you don’t know how to do it, or what products are best. Many parents use the baby bathtub or small bowl, which is a good way to avoid any accidents. As well as hair wash of your baby gently lift off the dirt and excess oil on their hair or scalp. While washing their hair make sure to gently rub your infants scalp, but be careful not to apply too much pressure to the skull.
Dermatologists recommend waiting until your child is six months old before washing their hair with shampoo because it can sting and irritate eyes and skin. If you want your baby hair clean and fresh, simply wash them thoroughly with lukewarm water without using soap. In this article, we are going to tell you a simple step-by-step guide on how to wash your little one’s hair.
How to wash baby’s hair?
Babies are born with a natural coating of vernix which is an oily, waxy substance that protects the baby’s sensitive skin. The first time you wash your baby’s hair you might need to use a little bit of force to remove the vernix. Make sure to wet your child’s hair with warm water and pour a small amount of shampoo onto their head gently. Massage the shampoo into their hair, using your fingers to work up a good lather. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly with warm water.
If you have a tear in your baby eyes, you can use a small number of eye drops to help clear them. Gently pat the baby hair dry with a towel and style as desired. Many babies have a dry, blotchy scalp. This is normal in the first few months of life. To prevent flakes and keep your baby scalp nice and clean, give them a gentle bath just once a week using only cold water. Generally, the baby’s bath time shouldn’t be any longer than 5 minutes. And trustworthy health information always consults with your pediatrician. And if you find any dangerous condition like infantile seborrheic dermatitis then immediately provide medical advice to your child.
Step By Step Guiding on washing baby’s hair
Therefore, by following these steps, you’ll be able to wash the baby’s hair easily. But make sure while taking a baby bath, use a rubber ducky and do not let water enter into the baby’s ear. The Baby’s body and head are very soft and it can be injured while bathing. Well, look at the below to know more.
Step:1 Avoid washing hair too often
Babies’ hair does not need to be washed every day. Washing it too often can strip the natural baby oil from their delicate hair and scalp, leaving the hair dry and brittle. Washing your baby hair once or twice a week is generally sufficient. According to professional medical advice, it is not at all necessary to shampoo a baby’s hair until the baby is about two years old.
Step:2 Select right baby Shampoo
When you do shampoo your baby’s hair, use gentle, tear-free baby shampoo. Be sure to avoid shampoos that contain harsh chemicals or sulfates, as these can be too harsh for a baby’s delicate skin. Look for a shampoo that is specifically labeled as being gentle for babies. Use a few drops on the baby’s head, and gently work it in, but do not rub or scrub and avoid getting the shampoo into your baby’s eyes.
Step:3 Use baby wet washcloth
To wash baby hair , take a damp baby washcloth and wipe the areas of baby’s hair that need cleaning. Rubbing and scrubbing a baby’s hair can be traumatic and cause unnecessary stress for your baby, so use care and caution when you bathe your baby. For newborn hair, just use wet washcloth and wipe gently, after one year you can apply gently brush on their scalp.
Step:4 Wet baby’s hair first
A wet baby’s hair will be easier to wash than a dry one. So, wet the hair and avoid washing it while taking bath. Avoid baby’s face and eyes when wetting the hair. Before putting your baby in the tub, wet its hair thoroughly so that all the shampoo and soap can easily be rinsed away. Baby bath time is a fun time for both you and your baby. But make sure while taking a baby bath, use a rubber ducky, warm water and do not let water enter into the baby’s ear. The Baby’s body and head are very soft and it can be injured while bathing.
Step:5 Add drop of shampoo
After applying shampoo, allow it to sit on the baby’s hair for about two minutes before thoroughly rinsing it out. Make sure you do not rub the child’s eyes after rinsing the shampoo. To wash baby hair using warm water and your hand only no need for a brush. For sensitive skin make sure you dilute baby shampoo with water at half the amount of shampoo and apply with your hand.
Step:6 Rinse thoroughly to them
Make sure to rinse the soap and shampoo from your baby’s hair thoroughly, making sure not to leave any residue behind. Residue can be very irritating to a baby’s delicate scalp and can cause dryness and itching. To wet hair, cup water over the head and slowly pour it over the hair, letting the water run down the baby’s back. Do not dunk or pour water over the baby’s head as this can lead to a wet head and a cold baby.
Step:7 Pat Dry and use baby soft towel
After washing the baby’s hair, you need to pat dry the water gently. It helps in avoiding any kind of infection. This is because excess water remains on the baby’s scalp can cause cold, fever, or irritation in his or her eyes. No matter whether you are using your towel or borrowing from someone else make sure that this soft towel is used to dry the newborn’s hair.
Step:8 Apply moisturizer on baby’s scalp
Now, this step is optional. If you feel that the baby’s face and hair looks dry and needs some nourishment then apply a drop of olive oil or baby cream on your palm and rub it gently on the tips of the hair. Leave it as it is and you are done with the hair washing task. If your baby unattended while bathing then the hair will get wet again. So, it is better to use a plastic cup or bonnet to cover the their scalp after giving a bath. This way the hair will remain dry and you don’t have to worry about anything.
Things need to remember
Here are the few tips for parents to wash baby hair by qualified health provider and they are:
-
- To wash baby hair use soft brush if your baby has enough hair to brush, if not use your finger tips.
- Baby’s pediatrician must be consulted first before setting bath time for your baby.
- It is not necessary to use shampoo, soft soap will do the work or just plain water if baby has no seborrheic dermatitis and cradle cap.
- Wash hair at least twice a week and gently massage child’s head and scalp as you clean his hair to stimulate circulation.
- Using lukewarm water is recommended to avoid over-stimulating the baby’s nervous system.
- Rinse hair with cool water to close pores and prevent skin irritation.
- Wrap your baby in a towel and pat dry. Avoid rubbing your baby’s scalp as it can cause friction and lead to bald patches.
- Apply a light layer of baby oil, lotion, or cream to seal in moisture.
- Optionally, you can use a small amount of infant hair shampoo if baby hair is oily or greasy.
- Comb through wet hair with a wide-tooth comb to remove any tangles. Be careful not to pull on the hair as this can also lead to hair loss.
- Allow your baby to air dry whenever possible. If you must use a hair dryer, use the lowest setting and keep it at least six inches away from your baby head.
- Some babies may love having their hair washed, while others may not tolerate it very well. If your baby cries or becomes agitated, stop washing his or her hair.
What Should Be Water Temperature Are Considered For Bathe Baby?
Did The Medical Condition Of My Baby Get Better By Bath?
Can Be Washing Your Baby’s Hair Help With Cradle Cap?
Which newborn baby shampoo product is good for baby hair?
The Bottom line
When it comes to washing a baby’s hair, less is more. Babies’ scalps are very delicate and can become dried out easily. So it is important to use a gentle shampoo and avoid scrubbing too hard. The best way to wash your baby’s hair is with shampoo and water. Use your fingers or a soft-bristled brush like the one we recommend below for gentle care of their scalp and hair. If you want, add some conditioner as well.
This will make it easier to comb through curls without pulling too hard on the skin around your baby’s head. We hope this guide has helped answer any questions that may have arisen about how to clean those little heads up properly. If you have any queries regarding the above context then feel free to share with us through a comment section below.
