Babies have a sensitive scalp and even more sensitive hair. All babies are born with different hair volumes. Some have little or no hair, while others are born with a head full of soft and tiny hair. As a parent, you might often get worried about the health and volume of your little one’s hair and have questions about how to care for them.
There are a lot of things you can do to ensure that your baby’s hair is getting the right treatment and nutrition in order to remain healthy, strong and continue to grow. To start with, we have addressed a couple of the most common doubts that parents have about their baby’s hair:
- How often should you wash your baby’s hair?
You can wash your baby’s hair with a mild and tear-free shampoo 2-3 times a week. This frequency is perfect for newborn babies.
- How to avoid your baby’s hair fall?
Whenever you are washing your baby’s hair, make sure to be very careful and gentle on their scalp as it’s super-sensitive. Use mild, tear-free formulas that are free from sulphates, parabens and synthetic colours. Make sure that the hair products you use are made from natural ingredients.
- How to deal with Cradle cap?
A cradle cap is like dandruff in babies. It’s a common occurrence and is nothing to worry about. It is common among babies up to 3 years old and mostly, it goes away on its own. However, there are certain ways you can get rid of it faster:
- Gently brush your baby’s scalp every now and then. Avoid scraping at the flakes.
- Massage your baby’s head with hair oil to shoo away the flakes and keep dryness at bay.
- Consult your paediatrician to get a prescription for medicated shampoos
Now that the common questions have been answered, it’s time to uncover the various tips to care for and nourish your baby’s scalp and encourage their hair growth by using the right methods and products. Read ahead to find out what they are:
- Hair oil massages:
Gently massaging your baby’s scalp with a mild hair oil can promote their hair growth by stimulating their hair follicles and boosting blood circulation in their scalp. Additionally, a hair oil massage also keeps dryness away from your baby’s scalp, leaving your baby’s hair feeling smooth, soft, and shiny.
- Hair wash with mild shampoo:
A dirty scalp is home to dandruff and dryness and discourages hair growth. Washing your baby’s hair every few days with a mild shampoo containing natural extracts is very important. Use lukewarm water to rinse off the shampoo and dry the hair with a fresh towel.
- Maintaining a balanced diet:
Your baby’s hair gets its nutrition from what your baby eats. Make sure they are consuming all the necessary nutrients to encourage hair growth. Your baby should be breastfed for the first 6 months of their life and can shift to mashed fruits and vegetables and formula after that. It is also important to keep them hydrated so that they can flush out the toxins.
There may be times when you will be constantly worried about your baby’s hair, wondering why it’s less in volume, or why it’s falling out, or worrying about the Cradle cap. That’s okay. While all these things are natural, so is worrying about them. All you have to do is make sure that your baby and their hair is getting the right amount of care, treatment, and nutrition and you will soon be watching beautiful, silky new strands sprouting on your baby’s scalp.
