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Bringing a new baby home is a beautiful and emotional experience for many parents. But it may also be intimidating, especially when you consider bathing this little, fragile baby. Hair-raising adventures can take place when washing your newborn baby’s hair. In addition, many newborns dislike the sensation of water running over their faces. The good news is that there are ways you can keep water from getting in your little one’s eyes, and after they get familiar with the sensation of having their hair cleaned, they’ll probably end up enjoying bath time!
Here in this article, we have discussed the best practices for washing your baby’s hair and making it a fun experience for you and your little one.
How To Wash Your Baby’s Hair
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- Bathe The Body First
Before starting with your baby’s hair, wash their entire body. Babies can get cold quickly, so warm them up by first cleansing their bodies.
- Get The Tub Ready
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Use a little tub on the counter or an oversized tub to bathe your infant, and fill it with lukewarm water. Additionally, this should assist your baby feel more at ease and cooperate more.
- Use A Gentle Hair Care Product
Avoid using harsh chemicals or sulfates in shampoos since they can be too strong for the baby’s sensitive skin. Instead, opt for hair products designated as mild for newborns. Apply a few drops of cleanser to your baby’s head and massage it. Prevent getting shampoo in your eyes by not rubbing or scrubbing.
- Use A Washcloth
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Use a soaked washcloth to clean the infant’s hair. Be cautious when bathing your infant because scrubbing and cleaning can upset a baby and lead to unwanted distress. After a year, you can gently rub their scalp with a brush after wiping their hair with a wet washcloth.
- Use Limited Shampoo
Depending on your baby’s hair density, use a quantity that doesn’t exceed the amount of a quarter. For this task, you will have to let someone else hold the baby firmly to avoid slipping.
- Lather The Shampoo
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Make a little lather by gently massaging their hair with your hands in a circular motion. The scalp can be cleaned and massaged using the fingertips But avoid running your nails along the head. Since the hair won’t be very unclean or sweaty, you only have to wash it for 20 to 30 seconds.
- Use A Baby Soft Towel
You can gently massage the baby’s hair dry after shampooing. Avoid aggressive drying. While supporting the neck and base of the head, palm your newborn head and make slow, circular motions with your hand. This is so that the baby’s hair doesn’t retain too much water, which could result in a cold, discomfort, or eye irritation.
- Follow An Aftercare Regime
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Put a drop of essential oils or baby lotion on your palm and gently massage the hair tips if you think the baby’s face and hair need some nourishment because they appear rough. Then, you can leave it alone and finish washing their hair.
How Often Should You Wash Their Hair
Babies’ hair is often cleaner because they do not sweat or become as greasy as adults do. However, washing their hair once a week is more than enough for newborns. Avoid overwashing your child’s hair often because it can dry the scalp and aggravate the cradle cap.
For Babies With An Umbilical Stump
You must keep babies out of the water if they haven’t yet shed their umbilical cord. You can bathe them by giving them a sponge bath only if they have soiled themselves or on every third day.
Things To Keep In Mind While Washing Their Hair
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- Shampoo your baby’s hair while keeping their head in the curve of your elbow to prevent water from getting into their eyes.
- Gently pour water over their hair with your other hand while massaging shampoo into their scalp.
- Hair product residue can irritate cradle caps, so thoroughly rinse it out of their hair by sprinkling extra water over it.
- Use a toy or sing songs to distract your little ones and soothe them.
- As much as possible, let your newborn’s hair air dry. Even if you use a hair dryer, use the lowest power and keep the dryer at least 6 inches away from the baby’s head.
- While some newborns may enjoy washing their hair, others might not handle it very well. Stop shampooing your baby’s hair if they start to cry or get upset.
- To prevent overstimulating the newborn’s nervous system, use lukewarm water.
- To lock in moisture, apply a little coating of baby oil, cream, or lotion.
Well, that was all the hair cleaning methods and some smart tips you can include in their bathing regime to give an incredible bathing experience. Share your thoughts and baby bathing experiences in the comment section below! Happy parenting!
