Baby’s first haircut

The time has come.. for baby’s first haircut! Children lose their baby hair after 12 months; only then will you know if your baby’s hair is going to be dark or blonde, straight or curly. That is why most babies have their first real trim at about 12 months.

For little ones who have never experienced the salon setting, it can be quite a worrying experience so it’s important to get that first cut right. Babies find it hard to sit still for half an hour or so, above all with a stranger coming at them with a pair of scissors! What can we do to make baby feel more comfortable?

The first and most important thing to do is to choose a salon that is not too crowded, so that the hairdresser can give your baby the time he needs, and above all, find a salon with a kid’s corner with games and a TV!

Sit your child on your lap while the hairdresser gives baby his trim, keeping him comfortable and relaxed. If everything goes well, next time try to get baby to sit on a kiddie chair on his own.

Other tips that you may find useful:

• get the timing right: the time of day is very important for the first cut. If your child is over-tired or hungry, it will make the experience stressful for everyone involved.
• Getting a haircut together with your child can be very reassuring for baby!
• If your child has a lot of energy and isn’t particularly good at sitting still for long, a snack or a drink may help make the visit to the salon more fun.
• If your child shows signs of being restless or scared, try to reassure him and explain exactly what is going to happen, in simple words using a relaxed and happy tone. Remember to be patient with your little one, and if he just won’t calm down, rather than getting cross, praise him for every little step he manages to take in this new experience.

If, despite your efforts, his first haircut turns out to too stressful, find a hairdresser who is prepared to come home or trim baby’s hair yourself. Wash and towel dry his hair; sit baby in his high chair or a seat, in front of the TV to distract him with cartoons, and then trim his hair.

With a little patience, your little one’s first trim will finally be done!