Your baby may be born bald or with a head full of hair. Either way, you need not worry. As your baby grows older, so will their hair. However, it is important to care for your baby’s hair for it to remain healthy and strong. Your baby’s hair will change a lot during the first year, so you will have to make sure you look into it. Just like you use natural baby products for your baby’s skin, it’s important to choose natural and toxin-free baby hair care products for your little one’s hair.
The key thing to remember while caring for your baby’s hair is to be very gentle and to avoid applying pressure on the soft spot on your baby’s head. When washing the hair and scalp of an infant, be sure to use a gentle hand and soft strokes. Also, make sure that there are no tangles before washing it.
Oiling with baby hair care products
Giving your baby’s hair an oil massage helps increase the blood circulation in the scalp and pores. Hair oil also helps moisturize the scalp and prevent dryness and dandruff.
Choose natural baby hair oil to massage your baby’s scalp. Ensure that the oil you use does not contain Mineral Oil or artificial fragrances as it can irritate your baby’s sensitive scalp.
Cleaning your baby’s hair
Choose a tear-free baby shampoo to ensure your baby enjoys bath time and the shampoo doesn’t sting his or her eyes.
- One of the main reasons for brittle, thin hair is a sweaty and dirty scalp. So, shampooing your baby’s hair is essential even when they don’t have any hair.
- Over washing your baby’s hair can strip the natural oils from the scalp and leave the hair dry. You can wash your baby’s hair twice or thrice a week, depending on how much sweat, dirt and dust they are exposed to.
- If your baby doesn’t have much hair it’s still important to wash their scalp to clean it and remove excess oil.
- Some babies don’t like water being poured over their heads. Here’s how you can work around this problem – take a clean washcloth, put a small amount of shampoo over it, wet it with water and use it on your baby’s head.
- Dry your baby’s hair as soon as you have finished washing it and dress your little one warmly after their bath.
Combing your baby’s hair
- Detangling your baby’s hair is a big part of keeping it healthy.
- Let your baby’s hair air dry and comb the hair once it is completely dry.
- Use a soft-bristle or a wide-toothed comb to gently comb your baby’s hair without pulling or snagging it.
- Avoid using hair bands or hair ties that are too tight and pull the hair back. This can damage your baby’s hair.
Some babies can also develop a dandruff type condition which is known as seborrheic dermatitis or cradle cap. Cradle cap causes crusty or oily patches on the baby’s scalp which are white, red, brown or yellow. In severe cases, cradle cap can spread to the baby’s face or body and you must speak to your paediatrician.
While cradle cap is not contagious or painful for the baby, it can be caused by overactive sebaceous glands or fungal infection. Symptoms of cradle cap include patches on the scalp that are yellow and greasy, dandruff-like flakes and areas of the scalp that look like scales.
Treatment of cradle cap involves oiling your baby’s hair with a natural baby hair oil and leaving it on for a couple of hours before shampooing it. After washing your baby’s hair, brush it gently with a soft baby brush which can help loosen the scales. If frequent oiling and shampooing don’t help then speak to your paediatrician and explore other possible solutions.
Cradle cap is a common condition in babies and usually clears out on its own. As with everything else, your baby will grow out of it before you know it and move on to achieving new milestones.
Whether it’s caring for your baby’s skin or hair, always choose natural baby hair care products that are free from chemicals and toxins. Set the right foundation for your baby’s hair to grow and stay healthy by using good baby hair oil and baby shampoo.