Baby’s First Haircut: What Parents Should Know Before You Go
Your baby’s first haircut is one of those little milestones you’ll probably remember forever.
For your baby, though, it can be a pretty strange experience.
They’re in a new place with a new person. Someone puts a cape around them. Then suddenly there are scissors, combs and possibly the sound of clippers buzzing beside their ears.
After years of cutting children’s hair at Bayview Hair Place, we’ve learned that the goal of a baby’s first haircut shouldn’t simply be getting the perfect cut.
The goal is to make their first experience at the hair salon a positive one.
A little preparation can make the appointment much easier for your child, for you and for your stylist.
Start on Mom or Dad’s Lap
For a baby’s first haircut, we usually recommend having Mom or Dad sit in the salon chair with their child on their lap.
Think about the experience from your baby’s perspective. They’re already taking in an unfamiliar environment, unfamiliar sounds and a person they’ve probably never met before.
Being held by someone they trust gives them something familiar in the middle of all of that.
There will be plenty of future haircuts where they can sit proudly in the big chair by themselves.
For the first one, comfort comes first.
Book the Haircut Around Your Baby’s Schedule, Not Yours
One of the easiest ways to improve your chances of a smooth first haircut is simply choosing the right time of day.
Try to book the appointment for a time when your baby is normally at their happiest.
We recommend avoiding:
- Nap time
- Right before a feeding
- Times when your child is normally hungry
- The end of a long day
- That part of the evening when you already know they’re getting tired
A rested and fed baby will usually have an easier time adjusting to everything happening around them.
We also recommend giving yourself some extra time.
Babies aren’t exactly famous for following appointment schedules.
Bring Their Favourite Distractions
You don’t need to pack the entire nursery before heading to the salon.
Usually, one or two familiar things are enough.
Bring a favourite toy, pacifier, bottle or age-appropriate snack. If their favourite show on your phone or tablet keeps them happily looking in one direction for five minutes, this is a perfectly good time to use it.
A baby’s first haircut isn’t the day to prove anything.
The objective is to make your little one comfortable.
If that means watching their favourite cartoon while we trim their hair, that’s completely fine with us.
Clippers Can Be a Big Deal for a Baby
Adults barely notice the sound of hair clippers anymore.
For a baby hearing that buzzing sound beside their ear for the first time, it can be a very different experience.
That’s why an experienced children’s stylist or barber shouldn’t necessarily bring an unfamiliar tool straight toward a child’s head.
Sometimes children need a moment to see it, hear it and understand that nothing bad is happening.
And if your little one simply isn’t ready for clippers yet?
That’s okay too.
Their first haircut doesn’t need to be a perfect fade or elaborate hairstyle.
There will be many more haircuts.
Don’t Worry If Your Baby Cries During Their First Haircut
We’ve seen plenty of different reactions to a first haircut.
Some babies love it.
Some look completely confused by everything that’s happening.
And some cry.
All three reactions are normal.
If your child becomes overwhelmed, we’re comfortable pausing and giving Mom or Dad a chance to comfort them. Sometimes a favourite toy or distraction is all that’s needed before we’re able to continue.
We would much rather give a child a positive introduction to getting their hair cut than force the final details of a haircut while they’re extremely upset.
That’s something we’ve learned from experience.
The way children experience those first few trips to the salon can influence how comfortable they are when they come back.
A Good Children’s Stylist Knows When to Adapt
Cutting a baby’s hair isn’t quite the same as cutting an adult’s hair.
Adults generally sit still.
Babies didn’t get that memo.
Your baby might turn their head just as the stylist is ready to make a cut. They might decide they no longer want to wear the cape. They might suddenly become fascinated by something happening on the opposite side of the salon.
An experienced stylist understands that.
Sometimes you change positions. Sometimes Mom or Dad provides a distraction. Sometimes you stop for a minute.
Experience teaches you that you have to work with the child rather than expecting the child to work with you.
Want to Keep Their First Lock of Hair?
Tell your stylist before the haircut begins.
Many parents like to save a small lock of hair as a keepsake from their baby’s first haircut.
For some families, a child’s first haircut can also have cultural or religious significance.
Whatever the reason, if keeping some of your baby’s hair is important to you, let us know before those first little pieces come off.
You may also want to bring a small:
- Envelope
- Zip bag
- Keepsake container
- Baby memory book with a place for their first lock of hair
We’ll make sure we know that you want to keep it before we get started.
What Should You Bring to Your Kid’s First Haircut?
Keep it simple.
You might want to bring:
- A favourite toy or comfort item
- Pacifier or bottle
- Small snack, if age appropriate
- Phone or tablet for distraction
- Diapers and wipes
- A change of shirt
- An envelope or container if you’re keeping their first lock of hair
We’ll take care of the haircut.
You bring whatever helps your little one feel at home.
Don’t Expect a Perfect First Haircut
This may be the most important advice we can give parents.
Don’t expect perfection.
Your baby might turn their head 37 times.
They might refuse the cape.
They might sit perfectly still for five minutes and then suddenly decide they’ve had enough.
They might become fascinated with something happening behind them at exactly the moment we need them looking forward.
That’s part of cutting children’s hair.
For that first appointment, we believe a comfortable child and a good haircut are more important than forcing a perfect haircut.
The technical details can get more precise as your child becomes comfortable with visiting the salon.
The first visit is about introducing them to the experience.
Looking for a Baby or Kids Haircut in North York?
If you’re searching for a baby’s first haircut near you in North York, we welcome children and families at Bayview Hair Place.
We’re located at 500 Sheppard Avenue East, making us convenient for families around Bayview and Sheppard, Bayview Village, Willowdale and surrounding North York neighbourhoods.
And don’t worry if your child doesn’t sit perfectly still.
We’ve been doing this for a long time.
Bring their favourite toy.
Take your before picture.
Sit together in the chair.
Save that little lock of hair.
And enjoy the moment.
They only get one first haircut.
Book Your Next Haircut
with Bayview Hairplace
Looking for a reliable North York hair salon with walk-in availability?
Visit Bayview Hair Place today — conveniently located near Bayview & Sheppard.
✂️ Walk-ins welcome
📍 Easy access from Bayview Village, Willowdale & Finch area
.
Located at Bayview & Sheppard
♂️ Walk-ins welcome
bayviewhairplace.ca
Call us: 416-222-6071
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