It is commonly believed that shaving a baby’s head promotes hair growth and leads to fuller, thicker and healthier hair. But is there any scientific evidence to support the same? Well, some people do it for this purpose, others do this as a part of tradition. In this article, we will be discussing all about shaving a baby’s head. Read below to find more.
In this article:
Right age to Shave a Baby’s Head
Does Shaving Lead to Better Hair Growth?
Indian Tradition of Shaving Baby’s Head
Some Tips to Shave a Baby’s Head with Ease
After Shaving a Baby’s Head
What if your Baby has Cradle Cap?
All You Need to Know about Shaving Baby Head
Right age to Shave a Baby’s Head
It is generally recommended to wait at least till the time your baby’s head becomes hard and firm. Not only this, but it is also important for your baby to sit steady without any movement and babies are very unpredictable when it comes to that. However, talking about ‘mundan’ in some cultures, head shaving may even take place a little early which is in the seventh month after birth. In other cases, it may be done in the second, third or fourth year after a baby’s birth.
Does Shaving Lead to Better Hair Growth?
According to the experts, shaving does not really promote hair growth. Shaving the head does not have any impact on the hair follicles and hair grows from the hair follicles, which are present beneath the scalp. Actually, the hair growth is better after the fourth month. Apart from that, it depends largely on the genes.
Indian Tradition of Shaving Baby’s Head
There are a number of countries that follow the tradition of shaving a baby’s head. Although there is no scientific evidence that states, shaving a baby’s head leads to better hair growth. Shaving a baby’s head is usually done within a few years of the baby’s birth as it is concerned with religious sentiments. It is also considered to be a sign of beauty in many cultures as people believe that it may lead to better hair growth.
Some Tips to Shave a Baby’s Head with Ease
- You must ensure that your little one is in a happy mood when you plan to shave. It may be a good idea to get this done during the daytime as babies are less cranky during that time.
- Distract your baby with all his/her favourite toys. You can sign or talk to him and even try to feed your baby as that will help him/her to feel better.
- You can do this in a few sections and move forward as one section ends.
- One has to be extra careful when shaving a baby’s head with a razor as that may lead to cuts or bruises. Trimmer can be considered a better choice as there would lesser risk of cuts.
- Make sure to clean the hair that falls on his/her face to avoid itching or irritation.
- You can also lather your baby’s head with shampoo so as to make shaving easier.
- Cut the hair short first in case your baby’s hair is too long.
- If your baby is too young to sit comfortably, you can make him lie down on your lap.
- Once it is done, give your baby a warm bath to get rid of the fallen hair.
After Shaving a Baby’s Head
Once the shaving is done, make sure you give your baby a warm bath to wash off the fallen hair all over his/her body. Then, apply any good disinfectant on your baby’s head as that will take care of the cuts or bruises that may have occurred during the shaving procedure. Last but not the least, moisturize your baby’s head with any good oil or moisturizer to prevent itching or dryness.
What if your Baby has Cradle Cap?
The dry and dead skin present on your baby’s scalp is what we call, cradle cap. Although, it is not serious but it may look or feel unpleasant. To cure cradle cap, you can use a number of measures like using natural oil or preventive shampoos. Also, a number of people believe that shaving can help to cure this condition but this is not always the case. While it may work in some cases, in others, it may not. However, the condition can be easily treated.
Conclusion
Make sure when you decide to shave your baby’s head, he/she is prepared for the same as well. You don’t have to get it done under some pressure or because someone is forcing you to do it. Remember, it is absolutely your choice as a mother and you should only do it when you feel your baby is prepared for it. You can also consult a doctor first, if you want.
Reference
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-beauty/article/1823781/why-shaving-your-babys-head-will-not-promote-hair-growth
https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_3tcvsb6o
