50 per cent of women have post-partum hair loss. There is no doubt that one of the prime concerns in the vast majority of women after pregnancy is their hair. By focusing on their own hair, adding to the stresses of bringing up a baby, poor baby’s hair is often an afterthought. ‘What can go wrong with a baby’s hair?’ they may think. Well, not a lot in reality, but there are aspects you should bear in mind and certainly rules that should be followed.

 

Babies

Firstly, a baby is born with a specific number of hair follicles, which control how much hair they will have throughout their life and whether their hair will be fine, medium, coarse, straight, wavy or curly. These factors can’t be changed, as they are all genetically predetermined. Many babies are born with barely any noticeable hair whilst others have quite a crop. If your baby looks bald, don’t worry: the hair will grow eventually. The time it takes varies enor­mously, and mothers have brought their one and two year olds to me, worried that they have so little hair. Hair, though, is as individ­ual as walking, talking or becoming potty-trained – when the time is right, the hair will grow.

 

A newborn baby’s scalp is not fully formed. At the top of the head (the crown) the skull bones have not yet completely knitted together, leaving a ‘soft spot’ – almost an indentation. Baby’s scalp bones are also soft. As a consequence, mothers are often afraid to wash their baby’s hair for fear of injury. However, the scalp should be bathed along with the rest of the baby.

 

Toddlers, Infants and Children to Pre-puberty

As your baby gets older, washing hair becomes more difficult. Most children hate it because either the shampoo stings the eyes or water gets into them. However, it is essential to keep the hair and scalp clean. A good way to get over an infant’s dislike of hair washing is to turn it into a game. Give them a face cloth to hold over their eyes and ask them to guess where you are going to touch their head first or where most water will be felt and so on, a bit like blind man’s bluff.

 

To avoid tangles do not rub the hair too hard and always use a conditioner. It is odd that often mothers do not consider it neces­sary to use a conditioner on their child’s hair. On the contrary, it’s just as important as it is for adults, particularly if the hair is long or has been exposed to sun, wind, pool water or beach life. Comb the hair gently and never brush it hard. Also avoid tight clips and pony-tails with tightly wound bare elastic bands – all of these can lead to hair breakage and traction hair loss.

 

The toddler and infant stages end at about three years old, and up until this age it is advisable to use a diluted version of your own shampoo. Pour 1oz (30ml) into a bottle and add 4oz (120ml) of Purified water. Shake well and use as necessary. After the age of two and until the age of five, the percentage of shampoo can be increased to 50 per cent, then 75 per cent and full strength at five or six. This is what I did with my daughters, now aged nineteen and twenty-two, and their hair is wonderful.

 

 

Related posts:

1. Hair Growth at Puberty

2. The Basics of Hair Loss and Thinning Hair

3. The Basics of Washing Your Baby’s Hair

4. Vinegar Conditioner for Very Shiny Hair

5. Hair Loss in Men

6. The Basics of Hair Types

7. The Basics of Treating Cradle Cap in Children

8. The Basic Myths of Hair Care

9. How to Straighten Your Hair

10. How to Condition Your Hair – Using the Right Types of Products