As a parent, there are a few things more important than the first time your baby does something. Whether it’s crawling, walking or talking, these are magical moments you’ll never forget.
Cutting your baby’s hair for the first time also falls into that category, although knowing when to do it can be a challenge. So, when should your baby have their first haircut? We explain more in this article.
When is the best time to cut your baby’s hair?
There is no real rush to give your baby their first haircut. This is because most babies tend to lose some or a lot of their baby hair in the early stages of their development. They will be experiencing a mix of post-birth hormones that can cause them to go fully bald – although their hair will naturally return.
So, this means you don’t really have to worry about cutting your baby’s hair in the first few months of their life. In many cases, you usually won’t have to worry about cutting their hair until they are at least one year old.
Of course, there are some exceptions to this general rule. For example, a baby with long hair that gets in the way of their eyes may need a little trim, whilst a haircut related to a medical condition, or religious or cultural belief is also perfectly fine.
It’s also important to remember that despite some popular myths, trimming or shaving hair does not make it grow back faster or thicker (this was debunked as far back as 1928!), so cutting your baby’s hair won’t help them grow a bushier head of hair.
How to cut your baby’s hair for the first time
Follow the steps below to cut your baby’s hair for the first time:
1. Make sure your baby is in a good mood
Avoid cutting your baby’s hair before they nap or are getting ready for lunch or dinner. Make sure they are fed, changed, rested and in a good mood, which will help to keep them still and minimise potential crying outbursts.
2. Turn it into a fun exercise
When you’re happy it’s more likely that your baby will be too. Keep a positive, cheerful tone and explain what you’re doing and even sing some songs if it helps. Show them the tools you are using and perhaps give them a second comb to play with for a few minutes of distraction.
3. Get ready for their reaction
Babies react in different ways to having a haircut. Some are mesmerised by the sound and laugh along. Others become scared and communicate by crying. Either way, your baby will move around out of curiosity, so cut slowly and very carefully and expect a good or bad response.
4. Spray and snip
Spray your baby’s hair with a little water to dampen it and comb a small section upwards. Hold it away from their head in-between two fingers and snip above them, with your fingers acting as a safety buffer. Repeat this for other sections of hair, focusing on small, slightly angled cuts instead of long, straight cuts, as these are easier to blend in.
It takes a little bit of time and practice, so give yourself ample time to trim the hair, as there will likely be some unexpected interruptions.
You may also want to keep a lock of hair in an envelope or small bag for sentimental reasons, so in years to come you (and they) can remember their first haircut.
Can you cut a baby’s hair with clippers?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to cut a baby’s hair with clippers. Follow the first three steps above and replace step 4 with:
- Use a high-level guard to give you a preview of how the haircut will look. A 1 may be too short for a baby, and you can always change the length if you want to make it shorter.
- The clipper guard can be changed to a short 2 or a long 2, if needed, so keep an eye on this.
- Move the clippers in both directions to create an even cut. Use a higher guard if you want longer hair on top and you can blend transition with a number between the level you use for the sides.
Do not use a razor to cut a baby’s hair, as they tend to move their heads a lot which can cause nicks and cuts and some pain. Also remember that their skulls are not yet fully formed, so do not press too hard with a clipper.
Get in touch
At Kartee Salon, we are truly lucky to have amazing customers who love what we do, with some even calling us the best hair salon in Tooting (some have even called us the best hair salon in London!).
Our team is always happy to help, and we can offer advice and guidance on anything to do with cutting and taking care of your baby’s hair.
You can also find regular updates on our social channels that offer free, helpful tips and insight into common hair issues: Facebook or Instagram.
You can find us on Colliers Wood Road, SW19 and we are open Monday to Friday, 10-7.30pm (9pm on Thursdays), Saturday 9-6pm and Sunday 10-5pm. Give us a call on 020 8540 4664 or email hello@kartee.salon and we’d be more than happy to arrange a free hair consultation.
