Babies' hair is always deceptive.
Be aware that during the first six months, whether they have a lot or not, their hair will all fall out to make way for their "real" hair.
You will then have to think, depending on the speed of growth of each person, about the time to take out the scissors for a first cut at the hair salon or at home.
Obviously, there's no rush, unless her bangs block her view or her hair is so long people can't tell her gender.
Although now, the gender-neutral trend advocates that both boys and girls can wear their hair long, a trend well-promoted by celebrity parents.
Just think of Kourtney Kardashian's sons, Blanket Jackson (Michael), Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake, Kate Hudson and of course, Nelson and Eddy, Celine Dion's twins.
When ?
The timing of this first cut can also be cultural and religious.
While in Western countries, a small lock of the baby's hair is kept in the birth album for sentimentality, in traditional Muslim families, the child's head is shaved seven days after birth and a sheep is sacrificed for a girl and two sheep for a boy so that they can be purified and then baptized. This ceremony, called the Aqiqa of the 7th day, is also the moment when the child will receive his name.
Orthodox Jews will wait until the baby is 3 years old, if it's a boy.
The occasion of a religious and family ceremony that marks the beginning of his religious instruction and the wearing of the kippah and tzitzit. This practice in the Jewish tradition also marks a second fundamental step after the boy's circumcision.
Many Chinese still consider the newborn's first haircut at the first month of life to be an occasion for family celebrations, with the color red – the color of luck according to them – as a backdrop.
According to their tradition, the experience of life only begins once the newborn has his head shaved, leaving a small lock in the front so that the angels can catch him if they decide to take him to heaven.
It is quite the opposite for other peoples, such as in Mongolia, for example, where parents wait until their boys are three to five years old and two to four years old for girls before giving them their first haircut.
Before that, they are seen as intermediary beings before entering society.
In Polynesia, boys must wait until their teenage years before getting their first haircut. Losing their long locks is a shock for them, but it's an important custom for Polynesians.
This stage of their life represents their new masculine identity and their passage into the world of men.
The Catholic religion has never specified the solemn moment for performing the first haircut of the newborn.
It is therefore up to each parent to decide when is the appropriate time to do this. Usually, around eighteen months, if the baby has a lot of hair, or at the age of two, or even later if it is a girl.
Then, simply trim the ends every three months. Forget the myth that the more you cut your hair, the stronger and more beautiful it becomes.
Totally false since hair grows from the roots.
Therefore, cutting them frequently or cutting them short does nothing to help them grow back. This belief probably comes from the fact that plants grow from both ends (root and stem).
How ?
- Shampoos: During the first four weeks of a newborn's life, it is best to wash his head, like the rest of his body, with only lukewarm water.
- Like skin, a baby's scalp is very sensitive and easily irritated.
- After this first month, it is VERY important to choose a gentle, hypoallergenic, pH-neutral, dye- and fragrance-free baby shampoo. After a light rinse with warm water, simply pat your baby's head lightly with a dry baby towel.
- NEVER rub, let alone use a hairdryer, as her hair is very delicate and vulnerable to damage. Her fine hair will dry quickly naturally anyway.
- The frequency of shampooing children can vary depending on whether they have a lot of hair or a little hair. Generally, it is recommended to wash your baby's hair daily until the age of one and at least three times a week thereafter.
- You can use a conditioner specifically for children's hair only once their hair has grown and is thicker. Apply only to the mid-lengths and ends before rinsing thoroughly with clean water.
- To detangle children's hair, I suggest doing it immediately after shampooing (while the hair is not completely dry) with a comb instead of a brush, gently combing the ends up to the roots.
- Freshly washed children's hair is more vulnerable, so combs are better than brushes.
The first haircut
At home
You may decide to cut your child's hair yourself, especially if they are still very young and don't have enough hair to go to the hairdresser yet.
Please note that there is no set age. It varies from child to child. The right time is when your child is embarrassed by their hair or when you are embarrassed when you look at them.
A small trim of the ends may be enough and will give the appearance of thicker hair. If you feel confident with scissors, make sure they are safe with rounded tips.
When your child's hair gets longer and you want them to lose their baby hair, you'll probably feel more confident in a salon where they're welcome.
At the hair salon
It's here! It's the big moment. Your child's first official visit to the hairdresser.
Exciting for you, but not necessarily for him. There are a few steps to follow to make this "first" a positive one, as how it goes will impact all the next times.
- Young children don't particularly like surprises. That's why it's a good idea to have your child watch you get a haircut or visit your chosen salon before the big day.
- This unfamiliar space, as well as the sounds (the clippers, the hairdryer) and smells there, could frighten him. Talk to him about what he sees in the salon, the cape he'll be wearing, what the scissors do, without using the word "cut," which could scare him. "Shortening" his hair would probably be a more appropriate word.
- Make sure the hair salon you choose is a kid-friendly place. It has children's books, toys, and why not a mini motorcycle-shaped chair?
- Before the big day at the hair salon, talk to your child about it as a special event that will be very enjoyable and will only last a few minutes.
- Try scheduling a time between mealtime and naptime. This will help your child feel calmer.
- On the big day, don't hesitate to arrive at the hairdresser's a little early so that your child can get used to the place.
- Bring their favorite little toy to keep them occupied and calm. There's no need to dress too neatly, and neither does the child. Bring a change of clothes in case they refuse to wear the cape.
- For this first visit to the hair salon, your hairdresser may not want to leave your side. It will be easier to place him on your lap. Make sure he's not facing a mirror to keep his eyes away from the scissors.
- Reassure him by promising him candy or a nice ice cream after the date so that he sees it as a celebration.
- Take a photo or ask a relative or friend to do one before you leave and show them a lock of their hair to keep as a souvenir for both of you. If all goes well, make it a ritual that will always be enjoyable and, above all, less stressful.
For what ?
All parents want their children to have healthy hair for the rest of their lives. While the amount of hair we grow is determined by our genetic code, it's vital to receive proper nutrition to stimulate hair growth.
To help your children's hair grow quickly and healthily, vitamin B (biotin) is not only essential for promoting hair growth, it is also of great importance during the first years of life.
Therefore, it is necessary to include eggs, cheese, yogurt, avocados, raspberries, salmon, nuts, bananas and tomatoes in their diet.
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