After months of anticipation, excitement and waiting, your baby is finally here! And while you get used to holding your little one in your arms, we are sure you are taking extra steps to ensure gentle care for your baby’s delicate skin and hair. You may have noticed that the baby head isn’t perfectly round and should be handled with care. Your baby’s skull bones are soft and malleable so that it becomes easier for the baby to pass through the pelvis at birth. Newborn baby head care is extremely essential and before you go in purchasing products for your baby’s head, you should understand some basics about baby’s head care that we have covered in this blog.
What Are Baby Soft Spots on Head and why do baby heads need extra care?
Newborn babies have a weak head and their neck muscles don’t have the strength to support their head. And that’s why it’s important to support your baby’s head with your arms so that it doesn’t flop backwards or forwards and startle your baby. Your baby’s head will continue growing for about a year after his birth. While your baby’s skull won’t be well developed or formed yet, and the fontanelles will continue to develop, it is important to handle your baby’s head with care.
Even after birth, your baby’s head will have two soft spots which are known as fontanelles. The front fontanelle or the front soft spot on baby head is easier to spot as it is wide and diamond shaped. However, as your baby grows, the fontanelles will slowly become smaller and fuse and harden with the skull bones. This will usually happen between 12 to 18 months.
Giving your baby’s head a gentle massage with a natural hair oil can help moisturize the scalp and the hair and improve blood circulation however avoid putting pressure on the soft spots. It also helps relax babies and they tend to sleep better. It’s also advisable to keep checking your baby’s head for any signs of problems or abnormalities. Sunken fontanelles can be a sign of dehydration whereas bulging fontanelles can be a sign of serious illness such as meningitis. However, if you are unsure about whether your baby’s fontanelles look normal then it’s best to visit your doctor and follow their recommendations.
Tips for taking care of your Baby’s Head
While you probably know tips on how to care for your baby’s skin, taking care of their hair and scalp is just as important. Some babies also develop cradle cap – a condition which creates crusty or oily patches on the scalp. While cradle cap isn’t painful or itchy, it can create white or yellow scales on the scalp which are difficult to remove. Cradle cap usually clears up on its own, here are some tips that you can follow to take care of your baby’s hair and scalp:
Give your Baby a Head Massage
A head massage with natural oils can help improve blood circualtion to the scalp and promote hair growth. It can also help soften and strengthen your baby’s hair and prevent dryness of the scalp. Choose a combination of natural oils such as Amla, Bhringraj, Argan, Coconut and Avocado oils to impart the right nourishment to your baby’s hair. The Moms Co.’s Natural Baby Hair Oil is made with a combination of 10 essential oils including Amla, Bhringraj, Argan, Avocado, Coconut and Marula oils. Together they strengthen and nourish hair and prevent dryness. If your baby has cradle cap then it’s best to oil their hair and scalp and gently comb their hair to loosen up the scales. Then wash your baby’s hair with a natural shampoo to cleanse the hair and remove the scales.
Use a Tear-Free Baby Shampoo
Choose a soap-free, tear-free shampoo to cleanse your baby’s hair and keep it soft and healthy. Ordinary shampoos have Sulphates which can strip your baby’s hair of natural oils and moisture and are known to irritate the skin. Choose a shampoo with Coconut-based cleansers and organic oils such as Argan and Moringa oils to gently cleanse and strengthen your baby’s hair. The Moms Co.’s Natural Baby Shampoo is clinically-proven tear-free and has mild Coconut-based cleansers that gently clean while natural oils such as Argan and Moringa strengthen and nourish the hair.
Combing your Baby’s Hair
When looking for the right baby care products, it’s important to choose the right comb for your baby’s hair. Use a large tooth, soft-bristled comb to comb your baby’s hair. Combing will help stimulate the scalp and help in healthy sebum production.
Choose the Right Baby Products
Your baby’s skin is thinner and more delicate as compared to your skin. As such, anything that you put on your baby’s skin gets absorbed easily. Using baby care products with harsh chemicals and toxins can end up harming your baby’s skin. It’s best to choose natural baby products, that are dermatologically-tested and hypoallergenic. When choosing baby care products, look for products that are certified toxin-free such as Australia-certified toxin-free range of products by The Moms Co.
Be gentle with your Baby
Your baby’s skin is delicate and their head is soft. As your baby grows, you will notice them gaining strength. However, in the initial few months, it’s best to use a gentle touch and use delicate strokes while looking after your baby’s hair and scalp.