Care of The Hair

Wash your baby's hair frequently, with baby shampoo or plain water. After about 12 to 16 weeks, wash your baby's hair with water daily and once or twice a week with baby shampoo. Make sure that you use a tear-free variety of baby shampoo, but nevertheless take care to avoid getting It near her eyes. You can use a "football carry" for a small baby, or you can sit on the edge of the bath with the baby across your legs, facing you. (She will feel secure this way, particularly if she's scared of the water.) Don't be nervous about the fontanels; the membrane that covers them is very tough, and there is no need to scrub the hair, so you can do no harm as long as you are gentle.

Apply the shampoo or bath lotion to your baby's hair, and gradually work it in until a lather forms. Wait about fifteen seconds before rinsing it off: there is no need to apply it a second time. To rinse the hair, just use a washcloth dipped in warm water to wipe the suds away. Try to remove every trace of soap. When drying your baby's hair, avoid covering her face or she may panic and start to cry. It is best just to use the end of the towel to avoid this.

Dislike of Hair Washing

Many babies hate having their hair washed, even if they enjoy having a bath. If this is the case with your baby, it may be best to keep hair washing separate from bath time; if your child associates the two she may start to fuss about taking baths as well.

The main reason for dislike of hair-washing is that babies hate getting water and soap in their eyes, so try to avoid this as far as you can. Specially designed shields are available that fit around the hairline and prevent water and suds running down your baby's face while you rinse her hair. You may also find that your baby will become less distressed if you hold her in your lap while washing her hair, and use a washcloth to wet and rinse it rather than pouring water over her head.

Never try to force the issue, and never forcibly hold your baby still while you wash her hair. If hair washing is obviously very distressing for her, give up for two or three weeks before trying again. You can still keep her hair reasonably clean by sponging it to remove any food or dirt, or brushing it out with a soft, damp brush. The hair will probably become greasy after the first few days, but this will not do any harm.