Have you ever seen those kids who have a ton of messy hair and think, I wonder when his parents are going to finally cut that mop? Well, I was one of those offending parents. Little Man was born with a ton of hair. In fact, we were even able to see it on the ultrasound. I didn’t even know that was possible!
As a new mama, I firmly believed that I would wait to cut my son’s hair until he was at least a year old. But as he grew, so did his mess of hair, until—at the tender age of four months—it was long enough to come over his ears. I held out as long as I could, but when it started hanging in his eyes, I knew I was fighting a losing battle.
Preparing for baby’s first haircut
Now, I’m quite familiar with the process that occurs when I get my hair cut, but it’s a whole different ball game with a baby. Now that I’ve been through it, here are a few tips for preparing to trim your little one’s tresses.
Find the right hairdresser or barber
This is super important. Your fancy salon is probably not the best place to take your baby. My amazing mother is a cosmetologist, and she was able to cut Little Man’s hair in her kitchen—a nice, laid-back atmosphere that he was familiar with. I realize not everyone has the luxury of this particular situation, so my advice is to ask your hairdresser to recommend someone who is kid-friendly.
If you can, try to meet the person who will be cutting your little one’s locks beforehand and give your baby a chance to get comfortable with them. Some babies don’t know a stranger and will do fine; others might have a hard time with someone they aren’t familiar with being so close to them.
Arrive early
Arrive a little early so your baby can get used to the new sights and sounds. Depending on the salon or shop, there may be a lot going on. You want to give your baby time to adjust so he is more comfortable.
Timing is everything
It is very important to time the appointment when baby is the most calm. For some babies, right after a nap or feeding might be the best because they are still a little sleepy. But this might be a bad idea for other babies who wake up energized and ready to play. The last thing you want is a squirmy baby around sharp shears.
My mom cut Little Man’s hair around the time he was winding down before a nap. There’s a short window between the time he starts to get sleepy and when he gets tired-fussy. He did really well for most of the process, but I could tell he was getting agitated toward the end.
During the appointment
It’s very important your baby feels safe during this process; you don’t want him to hate having his hair cut. Your hairdresser or barber can suggest things that will help your little one hold still. Little Man was perfectly content sitting in my lap with his pacifier. The cape fascinated him and he had fun holding on to it.
Be patient
As an adult, you posses the common sense to hold still while someone is cutting your hair. You baby hasn’t learned that yet. The process can take a little while, even though your hairdresser isn’t cutting a whole lot of hair. Even if they’re sleepy, babies still move around a lot, so for safety, your hairdresser will wait to cut until she has a clear shot. Sometimes that can take a while.
I had a fun toy ready for Little Man to play with as my mom cut his hair. When she needed him to face a particular direction, I held the toy out and shook it to get his attention. It was a toy I save for special occasions, so it was new and exciting and got him to do what we needed.
You know your baby, so don’t be afraid to take a break if you sense she’s getting overwhelmed or antsy. Take a quick walk around the salon or walk to a window so she can look outside for a moment. Sometimes that little break is all your little one needs to get through the rest of the appointment.
Unexpected emotions
So, I’m going to be completely transparent with you all: after my mom finished cutting Little Man’s hair, took the cape off, and combed it down, this mama cried. My baby didn’t look so much like a baby as he did a little boy with his cute new hairdo. And it was a good haircut; my mom has a ton of experience and is incredibly talented (hi, Mom!).
But my baby’s new look was a reminder of how fast he’s growing. It seems like just yesterday we brought him home from the hospital with his wrinkly skin and beautiful newborn smell. Now he’s learning to roll over and sit up and is sleeping through the night (definitely not a bad thing, but still a sign of how much he’s grown).
This whole experience reminded me to savor these days because they aren’t going to last forever. Even when he refuses to nap and is fussy for no apparent reason, I shouldn’t take those moments for granted. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day and forget to treasure the time I have with him.
Soon he will be walking and talking and becoming more independent. And I know the day is coming when he won’t want to snuggle with me anymore. So instead of getting frustrated when I have to go into his room at nap time to reinsert his pacifier for what seems like the thousandth time, I’ll be picking him up for a few more snuggles and rocks and kisses and whispered “I love you”’s.
Baby’s first haircut doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With a little bit of planning, it can be an enjoyable experience for everybody involved. Be prepared; be patient; and make sure your little one is comfortable and feels safe.
And mama, let this be a reminder to cherish the little moments with your baby, because he or she won’t be a baby for long.
