How to Shampoo a Baby's Hair

There are so many things to learn when you bring home a new baby, but bath time and shampooing should be an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby. Remember to be gentle and take your time. With a little practice, you'll feel very comfortable shampooing your baby's hair during bath time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Baby shampoo
• Washcloth
• Towel
• Diaper

1. Gather all bath time items such as towels, baby shampoo, a washcloth and a clean diaper.
2. Shampoo your baby's hair during regular bath time.
3. Position your baby on his back so that he is facing the ceiling. Most baby bathtubs create this reclined position naturally, but you can easily place baby in this position yourself.
4. Use a washcloth with warm water to wet baby's head.
5. Massage a small amount of baby shampoo into the baby's hair and on his scalp. Be careful to not place pressure on the soft spot on the top of baby's head since this could cause discomfort.
6. Rinse the shampoo out thoroughly by repeatedly wetting and squeezing the washcloth over baby's head. Be sure to maintain the reclined position to keep water and baby shampoo from getting in your baby's face.
7. Finish bathing baby.

Tips & Warnings

• Babies need their hair shampooed only on an "as needed" basis. Once a week should be sufficient if your baby has minimal amounts of hair.
• Baby shampoo is made to be gentle if any accidentally gets into the baby's eyes.
• Cradle cap is nothing to worry about unless it spreads to other parts of baby's body.
• Never leave a baby unattended during bath time.
• If your baby seems to be having an allergic reaction to the baby shampoo you are using, rinse with water immediately and call a doctor.