Baby’s First Haircut

My son was born with a good head of hair, and it never fell out. It just continued to fill in and grow and grow. By the time he was four months old, I had to trim the sides and chop off the rat-tail in the back. Around nine months of age, I gave him a really bad haircut. So when he was 11 months old, I decide to take him for his first professional haircut! Exciting and scary, definitely one for the baby book – get the camera ready.

But what else do you need to survive this experience?

1. Find out from other moms in your area about a stylist who has experience in cutting the hair of a small child. It’s not so much about style and coif, but about managing a squirmy/screaming/wiggly little one. I found a great woman hairdresser in my neighborhood. She is fast, efficient but has a great demeanor with my son. Oh and a box of toys.
2. Bring along some favorite toys, or this could be time to bust out a new interesting toy that will captivate your little one.
3. Sitting still for a haircut is torture enough for my son, the thought of him having a cape around his neck could send him over the edge. So I have her cut without the cape and then bring another shirt for him to change into. The little hairs get everywhere and it is very itchy for him. I’ve even tried to time haircuts where I can get him home and in the tub right after.
4. Now, at 17 months, my son can sit in the chair by himself (with me standing right in front), but for his first few cuts, he sat on my lap (I wore the cape). Even with the cape, I was covered in hair, so I recommend leaving the Chanel couture at home and dress to be messed.
5. Since my son’s hair grows so fast, I have her cut it as short as possible. I consistently need to go every two months like clockwork. At $15 a pop, I would like to try to stretch it out as long as possible. And speaking of cost, I initially wanted to take him to a fancy kiddie salon, but found out the cut cost twice the price as going to a neighborhood establishment that has a woman on staff who specializes in small children. With my son needing a haircut 6 times a year, choosing the little salon saves me a ton of money!

right after his first professional cut

Enjoy this great milestone, don’t forget to take Before and After photos, and save a lock or two for the baby book!