When it’s time to cut a child’s first hair

Some children are born with a lot of hair, while others only start getting hair after their first birthday or later. It is very individual, and both are perfectly fine. So what should you do when the hair is already very long and is more of a nuisance to the child?

When to cut the hair for the first time

According to superstition, children’s hair should not be cut until they are one year old, because it is said to shorten their life, but this superstition has long since been disproven and today the focus is mainly on the child’s comfort. If the hair is getting into the eyes, you can use a hair tie or clip to tame the wild mane. Alternatively, you can cut it at home or go to a hair salon. So it really does not matter at all when you decide on the first haircut. It is entirely up to you.

How to do the first haircut at home

If you decide to cut your child’s hair yourself at home, it will be great if someone can help and keep the child occupied. Just like trimming nails or brushing teeth, haircuts can be a very unfun activity for many children, which they will try to spoil at all costs. So you can ask dad or grandma to help keep the child occupied while you cut quickly. If you do not have that option, a TV with a cartoon or some “non-toy” that the child can explore may also work. A mirror can help too, so the little one can watch what you are doing to their head. 

A high chair will definitely come in handy, since the child will not be able to slip away from it so easily. And if you wet the child’s hair before cutting, it will probably go faster, although that is not necessary and you can still manage to cut dry hair. You can also try a water spray bottle that you give the child to hold so they can wet their own hair. That way they will feel involved in the activity and may even last longer through the haircut.

Be sure to prepare sharp scissors so you are not cutting hair for half the day. Comb the hair and get to work. Always keep your palm between the scissors and the child’s head, so you do not accidentally poke them. We know how fast children are, and with sharp objects we need to be even more vigilant.

Visiting a hair salon

If your child is more easygoing and well socialized, you can take them to a hair salon. Ideally somewhere that specializes in children’s haircuts. Not every hairdresser is patient with children, and in the end it could be more of an unpleasant visit with an ugly result.

A previous visit to the hair salon might also help, when the child just watches you as the hairdresser cuts your hair, and on the next visit you can get your hair cut together. First mom or dad, and then your child. If you also have an older sibling at home, the haircut may be easier, because the younger child will see it on the older one and want to try it too.

It is all about getting used to it

Before the first visit to the hairdresser, you can play hair salon at home and get the child used to wet hair, the sound of a hair dryer, or clippers. For some children, this can be very frightening, and it will help if they get used to these sounds at home, where they feel comfortable. However, there are also children who simply cannot tolerate haircuts and the sound of a hair dryer and will cry even if they should already be used to it. The same may be true for riding in a stroller or a car seat. So do not make the child suffer in any way and try to cut their hair only when it is truly necessary.

Whether you decide to cut hair at home or at the salon, it is entirely up to you. If you manage it at home, you will save money, which will certainly come in handy. At the salon, it can be an interesting change for the child and a nice experience. Definitely do not cut your child’s hair when they are sick or tired, because they certainly will not cooperate.

We are keeping our fingers crossed for the first haircut, and may the result be as good as possible.