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Is shaving a baby's head (mundan) good or bad?

Shaving your baby's hair in hopes of boosting hair growth? You need to read this.

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Written By: Debjani Arora | Updated : November 27, 2015 4:47 PM IST

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In India, mundan or shaving off baby s first hair is celebrated in a big way. This has more cultural connect than a physiological one. However, some parents believe that shaving off their child s hair numerous times boosts hair growth and improves hair quality too.

Does it help?

In reality, it doesn t. Because shaving of hair doesn t affect hair follicles that are beneath the scalp. Whatever happens outside isn t going to stimulate the follicles or help them divide rapidly. Quality if hair depends on genetics, and the number of follicles you have is also defined by your genes. You can make your child s hair healthier by giving her the right nutrition. Remember, massaging, combing or also shampooing will not be of much help if her nutrition isn't up to mark. There are times when your baby might start losing hair after four months of age. This isn t uncommon in babies. However, they get back most of the hair within some months. This hair could be different in colour and texture from the hair your child was born with.

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Should you consider shaving your child s hair?

Most parents prefer to shave off the hair of a newborn for either religious or cultural reasons rather than any physiological benefits. If you want healthy hair, then shaving isn t an option for you. However, getting rid of the hair isn t going to harm your baby. In fact, it can help you get rid of some skin conditions like pediculosis, plica polonica, and peidra, but doesn't help to improve the quantity or quality of hair.

Here are few things you need to keep in mind before shaving your child s hair:

  • Do it when your child s head is a bit firm. Newborns have delicate heads, and the sharp edges of a razor could hurt them badly. If you don t need to shave your baby s head too soon or within the first year, then wait up to two to three years to do it.
  • Always prefer to do the ceremony in morning, preferably mid-morning when your child is less cranky.
  • Avoid using the razor, instead use a trimmer. If at all you need to use the razor, make sure you use a baby shampoo to lather the hair. Ask the person who is doing it to shave in small parts and finish one side before approaching the other one.
  • While the process is on, distract your child be playing or talking. However, remember to hold your child correctly as too many movements could lead to an accidental cut on the scalp.
  • After the shaving, give your child a good bath and apply a light moisturiser or coconut oil on the scalp to avoid irritation and itching.

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Image source: Getty Images

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Reference:

Karthikeyan, K. (2009). Tonsuring: Myths and facts. International journal of trichology, 1(1), 33.

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Debjani Arora

Debjani Arora

Debjani is a new mother, a Bengali who likes north Indian food and has a sweet tooth she loves to nurture. Having worked with magazines like Mother & Baby India, Health & Nutrition, The English daily and The Asian Age , she loves writing, reading, traveling ... Read More