If you have a newborn with a long hair or a few strands, it is important to learn how to wash and care for his hair. Since a baby’s hair is not very dirty, you only need to rinse it with water in the first bath. When he’s a little older, you can massage his scalp with a light shampoo before rinsing. Treat common hair conditions for babies, such as milky crust, and keep it hydrated at all times.

Wash your baby’s hair in the first bath. Since a newborn’s hair and skin are delicate and sensitive, you don’t need to use any type of shampoo or cleaning product. In the first bath, just pour pure water on the scalp and dry with a soft towel.

It is not necessary to rub, massage or wash the scalp until the child is older. Wait for the baby to have at least a month to start using shampoo or other products.

After a month of life:

choose a mild shampoo. Buy a shampoo formulated for use on delicate newborn hair. Look for a light product with a neutral pH and that does not contain dyes or fragrances.

Your baby may be sensitive to these substances, so avoid them until he is a little older.

Fill a basin with warm water. To wash the baby’s hair, fill a clean sink or basin with warm water between 37 and 38 ºC. Check the water temperature with a thermometer or dip your elbow in the water. The sensation should be very comfortable with the warm water

Hold the baby with the head over the water. Hold your child by letting his head rest against the fold of your arm and directly over the basin of water or sink. Use your other hand to wash his hair.

Wet your head and massage your child’s scalp. Dip a clean hand or a clean cloth in the water. Use your fingers or cloth to lightly massage your child’s scalp. If you want to use shampoo, add a drop or two to his head before massaging it.

It is also important to massage the softest parts of the head (fontanelles or molars). Be very gentle when touching these most sensitive areas.

Rinse the shampoo.

If you have used shampoo on your baby’s hair, dip a clean cloth in clean water and rub your child’s head. Keep wetting and wringing the cloth until all the product comes out of the hair. You can also carefully pour water on the newborn’s scalp to remove the shampoo. Place your hand on the baby’s forehead so that the foam does not catch the baby’s eyes.

If you accidentally drop the product in his eyes, wet a clean cloth with water and wipe over the affected area. When the foam comes out, the baby will be able to open his eyes again.

Dry his hair with a soft towel. Avoid rubbing or pulling the towel over your child’s scalp. Instead, tap the towel lightly to dry it. A good idea is to use a soft microfiber towel.

Wash the baby’s hair twice a week.

Since his hair doesn’t get very dirty, you don’t need to wash it very often. Washing daily or every other day may end up removing protective oils from the scalp. Plan to wash only once or twice a week.

Moisturize baby’s hair once a week.

Pass one or two tablespoons (5 to 10 ml) of light oil between your fingertips. Run your fingers through your child’s clean hair and massage the scalp gently. Let the oil act to make his hair very soft and avoid frizz. This is even more important if the type of hair is dry or curly.

You can do this hydration before it is a month old only if you are going to use natural oils instead of commercial baby moisturizers.

Use a light oil like jojoba, avocado, coconut or almond. As they vary widely in costs and fragrances, choose one based on your personal preference.

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