You know that you have to bathe your baby – that’s clearly part of having a baby 101, but that still leaves some questions unanswered. For example, how often should you wash your baby’s hair? Most adults don’t wash their hair daily, but is that the same for babies? Who knows!
Unfortunately, babies don’t come with a clear-cut manual, but it’s a shame that they don’t. It would make our lives easier.
While some adults wash their hair daily, people are slowly releasing that this isn’t the smartest thing to do. This is particularly true if you have curly or dry hair; it won’t do your skin any favors if you continue to shampoo all of the time.
This is the truth for babies as well. Let’s take a look to help you groom your baby the right way.
How Often Should You Shampoo a Baby’s Hair?
You shouldn’t plan to wash your baby’s hair every day. Unlike adults, a baby doesn’t produce a lot of oil on his scalp, so two or three times a week is the most you should wash their hair.
One of the times that this wouldn’t be true is if your baby has cradle cap. When a child has cradle cap, parents need to wash their child’s hair more frequently using a baby shampoo designed for cradle cap. You’ll know that your baby has this if he has a red area on his scalp covered with greasy, yellow, scaly patches.
Why You Shouldn’t Wash Baby Hair Daily
Some people are grossed out by the idea of not washing hair daily, but it’s really for the best. Some parents try to build bathtime into their infant’s nighttime routine, but it’s better to wait until your child is a toddler before you do so.
Why?
Bathing an infant too frequently can cause their skin to dry out. Dry skin can flake or get chapped then start to peel off. That’s not what you want for your child, so make sure you stick to bathing two, maybe three, times at most.
When Should You Start Bathing Your Baby Every Day?
You don’t want to start bathing your baby every day until your child is a toddler or older. Babies are prone to dry and sensitive skin, and frequently bathing makes the situation worse.
No, your baby or toddler won’t be nasty or dirty if they don’t get a bath daily! Unless your child rolls in the mud throughout the day, frequent diaper changes and proper wiping techniques keep your baby’s bottom clean.
You also can use a warm washcloth to wipe down your baby’s arms, legs, and face. That always feels so nice and refreshing!
Final Thoughts
So, if you’re wondering whether or not you should wash your baby’s hair every day, the answer is NO! If you do so, you might cause your baby’s skin to become dry and flaky.
Babies only need their hair washed two or three times per week, and that’s all that they should be bathed as well. Even though adults bathe more often, infants don’t get dirty in the same way, and you risk drying out their skin by washing and using shampoo too often.
Hey, this is Linda. My biggest accomplishment in life is being a mother of four children. Their current ages range from almost ten years old down to 20 months old.
I’m passionate about writing parenting articles because I understand so well all of the problems and trials you face as a parent. From breastfeeding woes to budgeting problems and behavior problems, along with everything in between, chances are I’ve faced it over the last ten years. Read more about Linda here.
