The American Academy of Paediatrics suggests you should wash your baby's hair two or three times a week using a mild shampoo while regular 'topping and tailing' may be used to help keep your baby's face and body clean.
Baby's hair doesn't need to be washed every day, or probably even every other day, unless they took up marathon running a bit early. In fact, washing their hair too often could lead to dry skin and discomfort, which won't help them enjoy bath time any better. Baby's sensitive skin won't do well in very hot water.
On the other hand, if you don't wash your baby's hair enough, skin and oils may build up on the scalp, which might result in cradle cap. Just don't be surprised if your baby develops cradle cap despite your best efforts.
Rinse your newborn's hair for the first bath.
Pat the newborn's scalp dry with a soft towel. You don't need to scrub, massage, or really wash the scalp until they're a little older. Wait until the baby is one month old before using shampoo or cleansers.
Wash once a week at most
Washing your baby's hair daily could strip the necessary oils from their hair and make it brittle and dry. Try washing their hair once a week to start and upping it to two times per week if you notice it gets oily more quickly.
The American Academy of Paediatrics suggests you should wash your baby's hair two or three times a week using a mild shampoo while regular 'topping and tailing' may be used to help keep your baby's face and body clean.
Use A Scalp Oil
Just like when they were an infant, continue to oil their scalp at least 2 days a week. Coconut oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, and jojoba are top picks. Oil their part and apply a tiny bit to your fingertips to massage into their scalp.
Wet your baby's head with water, add a small amount of shampoo, and massage the head. No damage can be done to the "soft spot" when handled with gentleness. Rinse and pat dry. Wash the baby's body next.
Plain water is best for your baby's skin in the first month. Hold your baby on your knee and clean their face. Next, wash their hair with plain water, supporting them over the bowl. Once you've dried their hair gently, you can take off their nappy, wiping away any mess.
How often should you bathe them and what about cleaning their sensitive faces? Babies don't have to be bathed every single day; otherwise, their skin will dry out. At most, your baby will need to be properly bathed around three times a week, but you will need to keep the face, neck and private areas clean every day.
Washing baby clothes before use: is it necessary? The short answer to this is yes: it's always best to give new clothes a wash before your little one starts wearing them. Baby clothes can easily pick up dust, dirt, and other irritants between the warehouse and your home.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends delaying baby's first bath until 24 hours after birth—or waiting at least 6 hours if a full day isn't possible for cultural reasons.
If your newborn has hair and you think it needs washing, go ahead. With your free hand, gently massage a drop of mild baby shampoo into your baby's scalp. Rinse the shampoo with a cup of water or a damp washcloth, cupping one hand across your baby's forehead to keep suds out of his or her eyes.
Cradle cap: a cute name, for a not-as-cute skin condition that occurs in 70% of babies.
It's important to moisturize the hair weekly to keep it healthy and tangle-free. Finding the right regimen will depend on your baby's hair texture and structure, so you may need to experiment with different products.
You can bath your newborn baby at any time of the day. It's a good idea to pick a time when you're relaxed and you won't be interrupted. And it's best to avoid bathing your baby when they're hungry or straight after a feed.
Delayed first bath for at least 24 hours may reduce infant mortality and hypothermia. Delayed bath for at least 6 hours may prevent hypothermia and hypoglycaemia and improve EBF rates at discharge.
You should comb from the tip to the roots. Avoid tugging or pulling forcefully. Only comb baby's hair when dry. Avoid brushing when wet as the hair follicles may pull out easily from the scalp.
Oiling your baby's hair ensures that your child has a healthy and faster hair growth. A gentle massage of the hair oil on your infant's scalp will also aid in proper blood circulation and boost new hair growth.
Usually, a baby's hair is too fine to need conditioner, but as your child grows older and becomes more active, using conditioner can help tame unruly, tangled hair. Using conditioner after swimming is generally recommended as the chemicals used to treat pool water can be particularly harsh on anyone's hair.