Nothing is scarier than giving your baby the first haircut (probably except the first nail cut!). There are cute little bread rolls, ear folds, and important parts like the eyes that your little kid will need for years to come.
When does your baby need to have his first haircut?
As parents, we may be eager for a baby to reach the next milestone, the former can be exciting (crawling, walking, eating "real" food for the first time, etc.). But most babies lose some or most of their baby's hair in the first few months of life anyway, so haircuts are the first thing you don't have to hurry.
Don't worry, the hair will come back even if you are using balding clippers, but that also means that for most kids even a year, you don't have to rush to cut your baby's hair in the first few months of life. However, there are the following exceptions. Hairy babies with impaired vision, and haircuts made for illness and religious and cultural traditions.
All of these are situations where a haircut before the age of 1 may be the right choice. However, most parents are okay with being modest. Despite some common myths, shaving and trimming hair does not make it faster or thicker. Some cultures and religions have a strict tradition surrounding the first haircut. Therefore, if you are unsure of how to proceed in your culture or beliefs, consult a religious or cultural leader.
How to cut baby's hair with scissors
Step 1: Collect supplies
Having everything ready is essential to a successful baby's haircut. As you know, forgetting something upstairs is a big problem when you are having a baby. Most people don't wait patiently for you to find something.
Collection:
- Towel
- Certain cloaks and cloth coverings
- Salon scissors (or anything used to trim your baby's nails will also work)
- Comb
- Spray bottle
- High chair or another seat to accommodate your baby
Small bags and envelopes are also useful if you want to store your hair for your baby's book. You can also distract yourself with your baby's favorite toys, pacify, and create distracting videos (shark clues). Now you are ready to make your baby's first haircut as successful as possible.
Step 2: Select the time when your baby will be happy
This is not the time to get things done before taking a nap or to do a "quick haircut" before lunch. Your baby should be ready to breastfeed, replace, rest well and do something fun. This minimizes crying and restless movements for other reasons.
Step 3: Make it a big and fun deal
Your baby will respond to your social cues. So if you are happy, you are probably happy too. You can sing a song, explain what's happening with a very happy voice, have your baby carry a fun tool (apart from scissors), and explain what you're trying to do.
For decades, baby beauticians have entertained young children with a second comb that makes a funny noise when scratched. Give this to your baby and you'll be able to concentrate for a few minutes without interruption. You can also give your baby your favorite treat in the high chair while you're cutting your hair.
Step 4: Get ready for their reaction
Whether it's the sound of scissors (or clippers) or trying to get you excited to see you behave cheerfully, some babies will be fascinated by the new experience. Others will be totally scared and will beat and whine despite their best efforts.
For both reactions, throw away the expectation of being completely stationary like a salon. Even a happy baby moves his head to see what you are doing, that's why you should use the correct equipment as per RazorHood's recommendation. This can be a recipe with ear cuts at unexpected times.
Step 5: Spray and cut carefully
Get started with your business in 5 steps. Lightly moisten your baby's hair using a
spray bottle. Use a comb to brush up small pieces of hair. Use two fingers to move the section away from your head. Cut this point using your fingers as a cushioning material between your head and scissors. Drop the cut section and proceed to the next section.
Small, slightly sloping cuts are easier to blend than long, straight cuts. Don't expect it to appear as quickly and easily as your barber, as this can require some practice.
Be careful with the amount you cut first, as the hair will look longer when wet (you can always cut it later, so start small, but nothing can be undone). Line up your baby's head from front to back or back to front so you don't miss a section. Trim around the ears and neckline to protect your baby's ears as much as possible by hand. There is no need to compare hairpieces from cut to cut. Use a comb and fingers to make a judgment and cut the same amount each time.
Step 6: Save the hair
For the sentimental type, grab the trimmed hair and pack it in a small bag or envelope. It may be helpful to do this first before using the spray bottle. That way, you won't know how long damp hair will be in your baby's book or baby's box. Don't feel the pressure to save your hair, even if it's not your style or seems strange. Most hairdressers offer this for their child's first haircut, especially in children's salons.
