How and when to wash a newborn baby's hair

Every mother should keep her child’s body clean and teach him personal hygiene. This needs to be done from the first days of the baby’s life. To do this, a woman should study information on how to wash the hair of a newborn baby. The first wash is carried out after discharge from the hospital, using special products.

It is important to cleanse your scalp regularly as it is the most exposed area of your body that is exposed to dirt every day. In this way, you not only cleanse your baby’s hair, but also prevent dermatological diseases, improve local blood flow, and stimulate hair growth. The main thing is to follow the basic rules of the procedure so as not to frighten the baby and not discourage him from bathing.

First bath

After the birth of the baby, 3 days or more have already passed, all this time he was in the maternity hospital with his mother. During this period, his head and body managed to accumulate a lot of pollution. This is why babies need to be bathed for the first time after being discharged from the hospital. In this case, special attention must be paid to the hair and scalp.

According to pediatricians, in the first days it is better to carry out water procedures before feeding. This will make it easier for the baby to fall asleep. Some mothers bathe their children at 18:00, while others bathe them around 22:00. The duration of the procedure depends on the individual schedule and age of the child.

Newborns need to wash their hair with soap not only on the first day after discharge, but every day (especially in hot weather). In this way you cleanse the scalp, stimulate hair growth and improve heat exchange.

However, neonatologists warn that after BCG vaccination (before discharge from the hospital), bathing a newborn is prohibited. The procedure is carried out one day after vaccination. In addition, it should be remembered that until the remainder of the navel falls off and the wound heals, only boiled, settled water is used to bathe the child.

As for the temperature regime, washing is carried out in water whose temperature is close to human. The baby simply will not want to swim in cold or hot water, and subsequently he will be afraid of this procedure. The bathing room should be warm, the optimal place is a bathroom or kitchen.

How often should a baby wash her hair?

The first washing of the hair is carried out in the first days after discharge from the maternity hospital, then the head is rinsed daily when bathing, and washing with special detergents (soap, gel or shampoo) depending on the contamination - 1-2 times a week.

Many mothers believe that if you rinse your baby’s head during daily bathing, his heat exchange is disrupted. This is a myth and daily gentle removal of contaminants is necessary:

vernix lubrication and remnants of the original epidermis in the first weeks after birth;
sweat and fat, after the glands begin to function;
fatty scales in the presence of gneiss or other signs of seborrhea.

Washing the head daily (without using soap or shampoo) with gentle massage movements activates blood circulation in the skin and stimulates the maturation of hair follicles and baby hair growth.

Hair wash products

Many parents are at a loss as to whether it is possible to use baby soap or shampoo to bathe newborns. Pediatricians say that this is acceptable, the main thing is to choose the right remedy:

Solid or liquid soap. It is allowed to wash a baby with baby soap, as long as it does not contain fragrance additives or other chemicals.
Children's shampoo based on natural ingredients. The special product does not sting the eyes, and it contains plant extracts. You should not wash your hair with shampoo if its ingredients list contains sulfates. These toxic substances accumulate in the body and cause allergies or serious illnesses. Pediatricians advise paying attention to a product called Siberica, but before purchasing, make sure that it is suitable for children from birth.
Hypoallergenic foam or gel for babies is suitable for washing the body and hair. The packaging of detergents should bear the inscription “from head to toe.”

Many mothers, on the recommendation of an obstetrician, wash their newborn’s hair only with natural soap for the first 4 weeks after leaving the maternity hospital.

How to properly wash a child's hair

The first thing you need to do is choose a suitable children's shampoo according to age; pay attention to those shampoos that are labeled “no tears”, this will help you turn bathing into a fun game, and not into an unpleasant moment that should soon end. Check the water temperature

Pediatricians advise washing a child’s hair with water within 36-37 degrees, however, the baby can vary this range himself. For example, for my daughter, what is cold to me seems hot to her

Check the water temperature. Pediatricians advise washing a child’s hair with water within 36-37 degrees, however, the baby can vary this range himself. For example, for my daughter, what I feel is cold seems hot to her.

Apply the shampoo directly to the scalp and massage it into a foam using circular movements. If your hair is long, then simply run the resulting foam over it, gently moving it through.

It is better to rinse your hair with warm water. If cosmetologists recommend a contrast shower for adults at the end, then it is better not to do this for children, since the dilated vessels of the scalp after warm water may react inadequately to a sharp temperature change.

It is better to dry your hair with a towel, without using a hair dryer and without damaging children's hair. There are comfortable towel caps that absorb excess moisture after washing and help your hair dry faster.

It is better to comb dry hair, because when the hair is wet, it is more brittle and susceptible to negative mechanical influences.

Bathing rules

To properly wash your baby’s hair, you need to follow these recommendations:

To wash a newborn, you need to use a special bath; bathing him in a shared bathroom is prohibited. Before bathing, the bath is rinsed, doused with boiling water and filled with warm boiled water (the optimal temperature is 36° or 37°). Be sure to measure the temperature with a special thermometer before washing your child’s hair. Otherwise, the child will be afraid of this procedure.
For bathing, use boiled, settled water; if the baby is older than 1 month, then use a herbal decoction of chamomile or string. Regarding the volume of water, the baby's body should be covered and his head should be above the water without strain.
Cover the bottom of the bath with a diaper to prevent the baby from slipping. Gently lower it, supporting your head and back. First, wrap your baby in a diaper so that he gets used to the water.
You should not soap your child’s head or body if he has jewelry on his hands. This way you can scratch his delicate skin.
When the baby is already in the bathroom, you can start washing your hair. First, gently wet your head with water, then soap your hands with any product you choose. Then you need to soap your head so that the shampoo does not get into your eyes. The correct way to apply the cleanser is from the forehead to the back of the head, gently massaging the skin. If soap gets into your eyes, you need to carefully rinse them with water.
After the massage, it's time to rinse your hair. Do not use a ladle for this purpose; it is better to do it manually. To rinse off any remaining product, simply scoop some water into your palm and gently pour over the head. At the same time, make sure that water does not penetrate into the ears. After the product is washed off, his head is covered with a diaper and his body is washed.
The first time, it is recommended to constantly talk with the newborn so that he is not afraid. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to wash a child when he falls asleep, this will frighten him.

Concerned mothers are looking for an answer to the question of whether a baby’s fontanel should be washed. The fact is that they are afraid of damaging this area. But according to pediatricians, this fear is absolutely groundless, since this area is protected by thick cartilage and skin. The main thing is to wash your head carefully. But if fear still prevails, then do not massage the skin on the fontanelle, but simply wash it with water.

Baby's first bath

To avoid fright, bathing a baby, especially for the first time, should be accompanied by calming conversations with the newborn, and the following step-by-step actions:

Supporting the baby under the neck with one hand, so that his head is comfortably located in the palm of his hand, with the other under the lower back, carefully place the newborn in the bath, so that the water only reaches his shoulders.
Without undue haste, carefully pour some water over the baby. Continue bathing until the baby’s body gets used to the water.
Afterwards, you need to proceed directly to washing the child’s hair.

Treatment frequency

Parents are wondering how many times a week to wash their baby's hair. Doctors insist on daily bathing before bed, while the head is rinsed and gently massaged.

It is recommended to use the soap product no more than 2 times in 7 days. The rest of the time, the head and body are washed with water with the addition of herbal decoctions. In addition, infusions accelerate the healing of the umbilical wound, stimulate hair growth, and strengthen it.

Thus, it is necessary for the mother to soap the baby’s head with special products no more than 2 times a week. Daily care has a beneficial effect not only on the skin, but also on the general condition of the newborn, improving sleep and wakefulness.

What time to carry out water procedures

It is better to wash the baby before feeding. Since it is recommended to take a bath every day, you can choose one time and bathe your baby according to the schedule.

Many parents prefer to bathe the baby before the last evening feeding. There are two reasons for this. One of them is that dad returns from work and can help mom bathe the baby.

Another reason is the baby’s good, sound sleep at night after water procedures. You just need to monitor the temperature of the water and not make it too hot.

This can become a reason for overstimulation of the baby’s nervous system and evening whims.

It is recommended to wash a newborn baby's head and body with soap twice a week. His skin is very delicate, and frequent use of soap during bathing can cause it to become dry.

You can use antibacterial soap for children, but it is better to take a shampoo for the head from a children's series that does not cause tears.

When a baby switches to three meals a day, water procedures are carried out for him before lunch or before dinner. The need to bathe the baby before eating is due to the fact that immediately after feeding he needs to sleep.

At an older age, the child will be able to take a bath after dinner; this is especially convenient if dinner is not too late.

Tips for parents

To ensure a successful bath with your child, you should follow these rules:

To ensure that children feel normal during the procedure, buy products marked “no tears.” Try to avoid getting shampoo in your eyes, as not all manufacturers meet your expectations. If the purchased product does get into the eyes and the newborn cries, they need to be washed.
When bathing your baby, do not use washcloths or sponges, as this increases the likelihood of damaging his skin. Wash your baby by hand.
If the head quickly becomes dirty, then wear a hat on the baby more often.
Gently blot the clean head with a towel and, if necessary, wrap it for 2–3 minutes. Rubbing your head is prohibited.
Use a soft comb when your hair grows back.

Based on all of the above, it is recommended to wash a newborn’s hair from the first days of life.
At the same time, parents must follow the rules, and if new questions arise, contact their pediatrician. Subscribe to our VKontakte group

Which shampoo to choose

It is recommended to wash your child’s hair no more than once or twice a week using shampoo. The rest of the time, just clean water and herbs.

Which washing shampoo should you choose for water procedures? If the packaging simply says “children’s” without indicating the age, you can use this shampoo only when the child turns 3 years old.

High-quality shampoos are more expensive and are sold in pharmacies.

There are shampoos that combine the functions of a bathing and hair washing product. They are very easy to use

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the composition

It is better to choose a product without synthetic fragrance, methylparaben, propylparaben. In high-quality shampoos, these components are replaced with essential oils, vitamins, lactic and plant enzymes.

Hygiene products

In the first weeks of life, you do not need to use any soap or shampoo. enough boiled water. In the future, you have to decide how to wash the newborn using hygiene products, selecting them taking into account age characteristics:

after a month, you can use a special liquid soap for newborns, which does not contain fragrances or dyes;
from 2-3 months, baby shampoo “without tears” is introduced;
from 3-4 months, you can add herbal infusions to the bath: lemon balm for a restful sleep, string or chamomile to treat skin rashes. Do not use herbs at the same time.

How to wash a newborn's hair? At the beginning of bathing, carefully pour it from the ladle, then apply shampoo, and at the end rinse it off in the same way. If shampoo gets into your eyes, rinse them towards the inner corners.

What product to choose for a baby, how often to use it and can you use shampoo?

The range of baby bath products is very diverse, but many of them are not of high quality. Therefore, the choice of means must be approached seriously. When buying shampoo or gel for newborns, you should pay attention to the composition . It should be free of any artificial colors, flavors and sulfates.

It is worth paying attention when buying baby soap to the marks “neutral pH” and “clinical tests”. This means the soap has been tested and will not harm your baby.

Shampoos intended for infants are marked with inscriptions on the bottles: “From the first days of life”, “0+”, “For newborns”.

Baby soap .
You can use baby soap to wash your newborn's hair. Traditional bar soaps sometimes cause dry skin. Therefore, having settled on this type of product, you need to carefully observe whether peeling or tightness of the skin appears, or whether there is irritation. After using soap, it is advisable to treat the skin with baby oil or cream. Liquid soap is very convenient to use and does not cause unwanted drying or irritation of the skin. A newborn's hair should be washed with baby soap no more than once a week.
Baby shampoo . Shampoo for babies is used from two weeks of age, as a rule, no more than once a week. When choosing baby shampoo, you must remember that there is an indication on the bottle of the product: recommended for use from the first days of life. Safe shampoos for children are practically odorless and do not foam much.
Children's gel . The gel can also be used to wash a baby’s hair no more than once a week. The gel gently cleanses, does not cause irritation, and is suitable for gentle care of fine hair.
Foam for bathing . Foam effectively moisturizes and soothes the skin; it is used when bathing a baby, but you should not wash your hair with foam separately.
Bathing product . The universal product is used as shampoo, gel and foam for bathing. For small babies, it is better to use products suitable for the whole body. The product “from head to toe” is very convenient because while bathing you don’t have to be distracted by changing bottles for your hair and body.

Any detergents for small children should be made from natural plant ingredients. It’s good if the composition contains extracts of chamomile, string, and calendula. But keep in mind that although they are useful, they can cause individual intolerance.

Nuances: how much to bathe for the first time?

The baby is bathed in a separate bath; the hair needs to be washed during the bathing process . Before bathing, you must thoroughly wash the bath and pour boiling water over it.

Do not forget to remove rings and watches from your hands, so as not to accidentally injure the baby, wash your hands thoroughly with soap, and make sure that your nails are cut short.

Where to bathe the baby in the bathroom or in the kitchen, mommy will decide for herself. But you definitely need to make sure that there are no drafts in the room, and that the temperature in the room corresponds to 24 -26 degrees.

The duration of the first bath is 3 - 4 minutes, it is important that the child does not freeze . You need to prepare a thermometer in advance to control the water temperature, a ladle for rinsing your hair, a towel, and baby soap.