How To Wash Children’s Hair And How Often
Rinsing and washing children’s hair for the first time is one of the most anticipated and enjoyable moments for parents. The baby’s skin is more delicate due to its imperfect development. In addition, it does not yet have the property of retaining moisture.
Character traits for baby hair
The hair of a newborn baby is not the final hair they will get in the future. It is rather a type of hair they will lose later. After a while, new hair will grow out, which is similar to the hair they get in the first years of life.
In addition, the color of babies’ hair will not be the final color because the melanocytes responsible for coloring the hair are not yet mature at birth.
When should I wash children’s hair?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends postponing the baby’s first bath until 24 hours after birth, or if this is not possible, wait at least 6 hours.
Choosing the right products for your baby’s first bath
If you want to use a shampoo, choose it based on your baby’s age. In addition, it should not be irritating and should have a neutral or alkaline pH. Products for babies or children have a special formula to not irritate their eyes and hair and to be hypoallergenic.
Try to use products with mild scents, because strong perfumes can cause irritation in children. After 6 months of age, you can start using conditioner if needed.
How often should I wash children’s hair?
Newborn babies do not need a bath every day. In fact, only two hair rinses a week are necessary because they rarely sweat or get dirty enough to need it daily.
At the same time, frequent washing of babies’ hair can cause dryness and discomfort, which can make bathing time uncomfortable for the infant.
Baths should not last more than 10 minutes. Prolonged periods in the water can change the skin’s protective barrier.
If your baby does not have much hair, wash his hair gently to remove excess oil or scars.
Arp
Arp is a non-inflammatory scaly manifestation of the skin that occurs between 3 weeks and 4 months of age. In most cases, it is self-limiting and disappears on its own over time.
The clinical manifestations observed on the skin are as follows:
- Erythematous spots.
- Yellowish scales with oily appearance.
- Asymptomatic, without pain or itching.
Although scarring is a condition that resolves spontaneously, there are several treatments that can speed up the process.
Wash your baby’s hair with a mild baby shampoo along with an emollient (baby oil or Vaseline) before using the shampoo. As a result, the oil will help soften the scales and make them easier to remove.
How can I wash children’s hair?
Baby hair is very delicate and fine. Therefore, all movements should be gentle. The bathtub must be filled with lukewarm water not exceeding 35ºC – it must not be hot or cold. If you do not have a thermometer to measure the temperature, you can use your wrist or elbow to test it.
Ideally, the body should be rinsed first and the hair should be rinsed last to prevent the baby from getting cold. Apply shampoo and use gentle movements. At the same time, rinse the product backwards with your hand or a cup to prevent it from dripping down your face.
When drying, do not rub vigorously, but rather gently, as if you were caressing your hair. In addition, babies tend to lose heat through the head. So it is best to minimize the time they have a wet scalp.
About washing children’s hair
Bathing the baby is a moment that strengthens the bond with the parents. It usually gives uncertainty or questions about when and how to do it and there are different opinions about it.
Ideally, you should wait until the umbilical cord falls off before bathing your baby for the first time. From then on, it is not advisable to do it every day. In addition, its duration should be short so as not to change the fat layer of the skin.
