Why Brushing Your Baby's Hair Should Be a Daily Routine

When it comes to brushing hair, you may not give it much thought. Most often we associate the need for brushing hair with ‘styling’ or ‘detangling’ purposes. 

The reality is a good hair care routine is important, for both boys and girls, and it’s best to start them young.

Here’s why:

1. Treat or prevent newborn cradle cap:

A useful reason to regularly brush your baby’s hair (from newborn onwards) is to reduce the chances of them developing cradle cap. Brushing has been known to reduce existing cradle cap, and can help to treat cradle cap by teasing the flakes from the scalp.
*A baby’s skin is very delicate, so you need to be careful when brushing baby’s scalp.

Here are some tips on how to do this:

• Use a soft bristle brush, a silicone massage brush or a wide tooth comb/detangler brush which will not hurt your baby’s scalp.
• Keep baby’s brush separate – avoid mixing up.
• 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.
• Avoid over combing your baby’s scalp. A maximum of 3 times a day (or less) depending on the age of the child should suffice. The frequency of hair brushing is also determined by hair length and texture, so please go by the requirement of your child.

2. Promotes hair growth + healthy hair:

Brushing your baby's hair with a brush that has soft bristles can help increase the blood flow to the scalp and stimulate it. As a result, it will promote healthy hair growth.

When you brush your hair properly, it helps distribute the natural, healthy oils, from the roots of your hairs to the ends, giving them a natural shine.
Using a wooden brush / comb, prevents static, reducing the chances of hair breakage and hair fall, helping to make your hair shinier, bouncer and healthier. (This goes for boys with short crops too!)

3. Relaxing and comforting for baby:

Brushing your child’s hair regularly can be relaxing and comforting to the child. It is a form of head massage. Massaging is one of many stimuli that exercises your child’s nervous system. This can be extremely calming for your child too.

4. Styling:

Whether it's thin, thick, curly, or practically nonexistent, one of the obvious reasons to comb hair is to style or set it neatly + baby looks super adorable in the process! Win-win.

5. Bonding time:

Brush your little one’s hair up to 3 times a day, morning, afternoon and before bedtime, and this can become a great bonding time routine.

To happy healthy hair for all!