Baby’s first haircut can be a big deal. In most cases, however, you won’t need to take your baby for their first official haircut until after one.
If you do decide to give them a haircut at home, this article will teach you how. Here’s how to cut baby hair and other things you need to know before cutting your baby’s hair for the first time.
#1: Decide if You Should Cut Your Baby’s Hair
For us, our babies didn’t have their first haircut until they were over one. My oldest son was bald until after his first birthday- even then he didn’t have more than a little bit of baby fuzz. My youngest son was the complete opposite- he came out with a full head of hair and I couldn’t stand the thought of cutting away his curls. He did need a trim around his first birthday to get his bangs out of his face, but we waited until he was older for his first official haircut.
Every baby is different. In most cases, however, your baby isn’t going to need a haircut until after their first birthday. The exception to the rule is babies with long hair that has grown past their eyes or uneven tufts of hair. Trimming uneven hairs help your baby’s hair grow in more evenly, which will give it a better overall appearance. Just remember that it won’t make baby’s hair grow any faster.
#2: Decide How You Want to Cut Baby’s Hair
Before you even begin to wonder how to cut baby hair, it’s important that you know how you want to style your baby’s hair. Are you just giving them a trim or an all-over cut? Do you want to use trimmers on your baby’s head, baby scissors, or both?
Something that can help is looking up different baby hairstyles and seeing what equipment is needed. Scissors are generally used for longer hair, either hair that hangs down or hair on top of your baby’s head. They can also be useful if you want to cut bangs. Trimmers best for where you want an even cut against the scalp. Using different guards can give you different hair lengths and you can make the sides and back shorter than the top if you’d like. This also lets you experiment with different lengths for your baby’s hair.
#3: Get the Salon Area Ready
If you’re going to cut your baby’s hair at home, you’ll want a ‘salon’ where you can cut it. The best place to work is somewhere with hard floors since it’ll be easier to sweep up the hair when you’re done. Cutting hair at home can get messy.
In most cases, you’ll want to set your baby in their highchair to cut their hair. It’s the easiest way to keep them seated upright. You definitely don’t want to have to worry about them falling while you have scissors by their head.
You’ll also want something to hold your child’s attention, like a favorite TV show. You definitely want to be sure they’ll sit still for their haircut- especially since you’ll be holding scissors by their delicate ears and head. You can even give them a snack or a favorite toy to play with if it won’t get in the way.
Once you have all this set up, you’ll want to gather what you need to cut your baby’s hair. You’ll need:
- A pair of salon-style scissors (think the smaller ones, used to trim hair)
- An electric trimmer with comb guides to create different lengths
- A cape, towel, or other cover (for keeping itchy hairs off your baby so they don’t itch and wiggle as much)
- Water bottle (to get your baby’s hair damp, but not soaked)
- A fine-tooth comb or baby brush
- A second comb (hairdressers sometimes flick the teeth of the comb to make a funny noise and keep baby entertained)
- Some baby-safe hair gel (if you want to style it afterwards)
- A towel
- An envelope (if you want to keep a curl from your baby’s first cut)
#4: Make Sure Baby is Ready
Timing is everything when you want your baby to be relaxed. Their first haircut isn’t something you want to fit in right before a nap or when you’re rushed. Instead, choose the time of day when your baby is most likely to be happy. They should be freshly changed, well-rested, and fed.
You can also help by setting the mood. Make a big deal out of your baby’s haircut (it is, after all). Be cheerful about it and explain what you’re doing. Babies are very in tune with social skills- so your good attitude will help your baby.
#5: Be Prepared for Anything
Babies are all different when it comes to their first haircut. Some are easy to entertain. Others are fascinated by the sound of the scissors and the comb. Some babies even get scared and may start to flail around. However your child reacts, be ready for it. Expect them to move and be aware of what they are doing. If your child does decide to move suddenly, you’ll be able to pull away so they don’t get hurt.
Above all, you’ll want to remember to adapt and be patient. If you get started and your child is too fussy, wait until you can get them calm again. You could also try having a parent or grandparent help you or going to the salon if your baby simply refuses to sit still.
#6: How to Cut Baby Hair with Scissors
Now, you should be ready to make the first snip. Start by using the spray bottle to wet your baby’s hair. You want it damp, but not soaked. Then, take the comb and use it to pick up a small section of your baby’s hair. Grab the hair by pinching it between your middle and forefinger. Pull it away from the head and position your fingers above where you want to make the cut. Snip above this point- you should be cutting between the end of the hair and the fingers. Then, drop the section and move on to a new area until you are finished.
Keep in mind that to make your baby’s hair look nice, you’ll want it to blend together. The easiest way to get it to blend is to cut at a diagonal angle instead of straight across the hair. If you need help with this, there are several video tutorials on Youtube and some baby sites that can help you see the technique for cutting baby hair in action. Take a small bit off at a time- there’s no going back if you cut too much but you can easily shorten it more if you choose to later.
Once you’re finished with this step, you’ll want to cut around the ears and neckline. Take care to do this as carefully as possible.
If you want to keep a lock of your baby’s hair, you’ll want to take it before you wet your baby’s hair. This will prevent it from being damp and possibly growing mold or mildew when you put it away in an envelope or baby book.
#7: How to Cut Baby Hair with Trimmers
If you are going to keep a lock of your baby’s hair, you’ll want to cut it with the scissors before you use the trimmer. Don’t worry too much about where you make the snip- it’ll be easy to even the hair out later while you’re cutting.
You can use just trimmers on your baby’s head or you can use trimmers for the back and sides and scissors for the top. It’s a matter of personal preference and what type of style you want for your baby’s hair.
Hair trimmers come with guards or guides that help you get an even length. The comb guides that are longer are usually assigned higher numbers. They mean it will leave the hair longer. If you aren’t sure what length is going to work best for your baby, start with a higher number. You can always go over the head again if you decide you want it shorter once you’re finished.
Once you put the guide on the razor, put it against your baby’s head and go in multiple directions. The goal is to get an even cut all over (or in the area you are working on).
FAQs About Cutting Baby Hair
Does cutting your baby’s hair make it grow faster?
Trimming your baby’s hair does not make it grow faster. Genetics are responsible for how quickly your baby’s hair grows. They are also responsible for the texture, color, and how straight or curly your baby’s hair is.
The primary reason related to growth that parent’s cut hair is so baby hair grows in more evenly. However, there are plenty of strategies for making baby hair grow faster that really work.
Can I cut my baby’s hair at home?
There’s no reason why you can’t cut your baby’s hair at home, especially if you are only giving them a trim or cutting the uneven parts. Of course, if you aren’t confident in your abilities, there’s no reason you can’t take them to a salon. There are even hair salons that have things like chairs designed like airplanes or TVs for your kid to watch. These can be a good choice if you or your child has anxiety about the first haircut.
Will my baby lose their curls after their first haircut?
Some parents put off the first haircut because they are worried their baby won’t have curls. Your baby’s hair type and how curly it is depends on genetics. If new growth is straight and there are only curls at the end, these might be lost during a haircut. If your baby’s new growths are also curly, they’ll still have curls.
Should I go to the salon for my baby’s first haircut?
The decision to go to a salon for your baby’s first haircut is up to you. If you’re just doing a simple trim or you’re comfortable with cutting baby hair, there’s no reason you can’t do it at home. This is especially true if you’re only trimming your child’s bangs out of their eyes or doing a simple haircut. Cutting your child’s hair at home may also be a good choice if your child doesn’t like strangers.
If you do choose to go to a salon, try to find one that caters to kids. Some might have balloons or cute-shaped chairs. They also usually have something for your child to watch or play with to keep them entertained during the haircut. Additionally, since these shops specialize in kids’ haircuts, they’re more likely to convince your child to sit still.
In either case, keep in mind that your attitude can heavily affect your child’s experience. Be positive about the experience and show your excitement.
The hairstylist may want you to stand out of the way or they may invite you to be part of the experience. In most cases, you’ll be close enough to watch but not in the way of them taking care of your baby. Be willing to help keep your child still by making faces at them or playing with a favorite toy if they ask. Even a professional may make mistakes if your child is too wiggly.
What if my baby is scared of having their haircut?
Your child’s hair is part of them. Even though we know that a haircut doesn’t hurt, it can be scary for babies and toddlers who think you are cutting off part of them. Do whatever you can to make your baby comfortable. Bring along a favorite toy if you think it will help and familiarize them with what is going to happen. You can show your baby the ‘salon’ either at home or at the barber first, so they know what to expect.
Something else that might help is having your child watch someone else as they get their haircut. Mom, dad, or an older sibling will work fine. If that isn’t an option, there’s also plenty of haircutting videos that you can find online to get your child more familiar with what is happening.
Final Word
When it comes to your baby’s first haircut, there’s no need to rush it. Unless your baby’s hair is growing in unevenly or is really long, it’s best to wait until after the first birthday.
When you are ready, hopefully, this article has helped you learn how to cut baby hair.
