You will hear different myths and superstitions about when to cut your baby’s hair for the first time. Some will tell you that you should shave your baby’s hair before he’s 12 months old, for it will grow thicker; while others believe that cutting babies’ hair before the age of 12 months brings bad luck and will cause balding. Well, your baby’s hair will grow thicker anyway because it’s a constant process throughout the childhood that has nothing to do with shaving. As for balding, it is really silly to think it’s related to cutting your baby’s hair before the age of 12 months, because genetics is the only thing that counts when it comes to balding. Therefore, you don’t have to listen to any of these superstitions; you just have to cut your baby’s hair for the first time when he will be ready for that.
There is no right or wrong time to cut your baby’s hair for the first time. Some babies are ready for a haircut at the age of 8 months, while others may not need one until they’re 2 years old! In fact, there are many reasons why you will decide that it’s time to cut your baby’s hair:
Long hair can affect your baby’s eyesight! Babies learn to focus on objects around them, so if their hair is covering their eyes, their eyesight gets affected.
Long hair often has static electricity in it, which can make your baby uncomfortable.
Food has a better chance of ending up in long hair than in short hair.
Some parents get offended when their boys with long hair get confused for girls.
When you decide to take your baby for his first haircut, you might think that this trip to the salon will be cute and fun, but your baby won’t see it that way! For babies, being wrapped in a plastic cape, squired with water and attacked with sharp scissors by a stranger isn’t fun at all! So here you have some tips to make your baby’s first haircut enjoyable:
Stay close to your baby; it is even better if you sit on the chair and hold your baby in your lap to let him feel secure.
Make sure that the scissors and the comb are disinfected.
Make sure that all the extra scissors and other dangerous objects are removed from your baby’s reach.
Ask the hairdresser not to spray your baby’s head with water, for he can get scared by this sudden “cold shower”. It is better to use a wet hand or a wet towel instead.
Make sure your baby’s hands are not covered; otherwise he might panic and fight.
Distract your baby as much as you can: sing songs, make funny faces in the mirror, bring a selection of toys with you, and make sure you are sitting next to another person who’s having a haircut, so that your baby sees that he’s not the only one!