How to Wash Your Baby's Hair

Delicate little fingers and toes, soft little face; how do I wash you and keep everything in place?

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby Hairbrushes
• Bath Towels
• Baby Shampoo
• Baby's Bath Sponges

1. Consult your doctor or midwife about grooming products. Your doctor or midwife has had a lot of experience with little ones and will be able to advise you, or possibly give you a few samples.
2. Ask the hospital or birthing center to give you a demonstration on how to wash your child's hair.
3. Start off with sponge bathing. Newborns don't need to be lathered up to get clean, and their skin isn't tough enough for it anyway. Wet a washcloth with warm water and gently rub your infant's hair until it is sufficiently clean. Be gentle, but don't avoid the soft spots; they are protected with a thick membrane.
4. Use mild tear-free shampoos on older infants. If you are using a reclined baby tub, simply wet your baby's hair and lather it up with a small amount of shampoo. Rinse the lather out thoroughly until none appears with gentle rubbing. To avoid drying out your baby's scalp, you will only need to shampoo two to three times a week.
5. Cradle your child's head in your hand if you are bathing in a big tub. Lather and rinse with one hand, while firmly supporting your child with the other.

Tips & Warnings

• Have a toy ready to distract your baby because some children dislike having their hair washed.
• Wash your child's hair last so that he or she does not have to sit in sudsy water, which can cause urinary track infections.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to brush your baby's hair after the bath.
• Avoid using adult shampoo on your baby's gentle hair and skin.