How to Wash a Baby's Hair and Care for Their Scalp
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How to Wash a Baby’s Hair and Care for Their Scalp
Washing a baby’s hair does not need to be complicated. For routine care, you can gently wash your baby’s hair and scalp with plain warm water while supporting their head securely. There is no need to scrub, and a baby’s hair does not need to be washed every day.
The NHS advises supporting your baby over a bowl while washing their hair with plain water, then drying it gently. If your baby develops cradle cap, a common condition that causes greasy, scaly patches, gentle scalp care can help without picking or scrubbing at the scales.
What you need to wash your baby’s hair
You only need a few basic things for an ordinary hair wash:
- a baby bath or clean washing-up bowl
- warm water
- a soft towel
- clean clothes and a nappy for afterwards
- an appropriate baby shampoo if you choose to use one
For a young baby’s routine wash, plain water may be all you need. The NHS says you can use just water when bathing your baby, although a liquid cleanser suitable for babies can also be used.
Prepare everything before you begin so you do not need to move away while supporting your baby.
The water should feel warm rather than hot. NHS guidance recommends checking it with your wrist or elbow and mixing it well so there are no hot patches.
How to wash your baby’s hair safely
Supporting your baby’s head is the most important part of washing their hair.
The NHS suggests holding your baby on your knee while you clean their face, then supporting them over the bowl while washing their hair with plain water.
A simple approach is:
- Have your warm water and towel ready.
- Hold your baby securely and support their head and neck.
- Position their head over the bowl or baby bath.
- Use your free hand to gently wet the hair and scalp.
- Gently move your fingertips over the scalp without scratching or scrubbing.
- Rinse away any cleanser if you have used one.
- Dry the hair and scalp gently with a soft towel.
Keep your baby’s face clear of the water and avoid splashing water into their eyes.
If your baby becomes distressed or very wriggly, you can stop and try again another time.
Does a baby need shampoo?
Not necessarily.
Plain water can be used to wash a baby’s hair. If you decide to use shampoo, choose one made for babies rather than an adult shampoo.
For cradle cap, NHS guidance specifically advises against adult shampoos and fragranced or perfumed products. An unperfumed baby shampoo may be used as part of cradle cap care.
You do not need a large amount of product to make your baby’s scalp clean.
If your baby has eczema, very sensitive skin or another diagnosed skin condition, ask your health visitor, pharmacist or GP what products are appropriate rather than experimenting with different shampoos.
How often should you wash your baby’s hair?
A baby’s hair does not need washing every day simply because adults may wash theirs frequently.
The NHS says babies do not need a bath every day. You can wash your baby’s hair as part of their normal bathing or washing routine when it needs it.
How often that happens will vary. A baby with very little hair may need almost no separate hair care, while milk, sweat or cradle cap may mean you occasionally want to wash the scalp more carefully.
Focus on keeping your baby comfortable and the scalp clean rather than following a strict schedule.
How to dry your baby’s hair
After washing, gently pat your baby’s hair and scalp with a soft towel.
There is no need to rub vigorously. Babies can lose heat quickly when wet, so have a towel ready before you begin and dress your baby once they are dry.
The NHS advises drying a baby’s hair gently before continuing with the rest of the bath.
You do not need to use a hairdryer. A towel and a warm room are enough for normal baby hair care.
What does a healthy baby scalp look like?
A baby’s scalp does not have to look perfectly smooth at all times.
You may notice mild dryness, small flakes or areas where the hair looks thinner. Some babies also develop cradle cap, which can produce white or yellow greasy scales and crusty patches.
Cradle cap is common and harmless. According to the NHS, it is not usually itchy or painful and generally does not bother the baby.
The appearance of the skin can vary with skin tone. Under the scales, the skin may look pink or red on lighter skin, while on brown or black skin it may look lighter or darker than the surrounding area.
What is cradle cap?
Cradle cap is a common skin condition in babies. Its main feature is patches of greasy, scaly skin, often on the scalp.
The scales may be white or yellow and can join together to form crusty areas. Cradle cap can also affect parts of the face and sometimes other areas of the body.
It is not caused by poor hygiene and it is not something your baby can catch from another baby.
In many cases it clears by itself over time, so mild cradle cap does not necessarily need treatment.
How to care for cradle cap
If you want to help loosen cradle cap scales, NHS guidance recommends gentle care.
You can:
- lightly massage an emollient or coconut oil onto the scalp to help loosen scales
- gently brush the scalp with a soft baby brush
- wash the hair afterwards with baby shampoo
Do not pick at the crusts. Picking can damage the skin and increase the chance of infection.
The NHS also advises against using olive oil or peanut oil for cradle cap. Peanut oil should be avoided because of allergy risk, while olive oil may not be suitable for use on the skin.
Avoid adult shampoos, soap and products containing fragrance or perfume.
A pharmacist can advise you about an appropriate emollient or unperfumed baby shampoo if you are unsure what to use.
What if hair comes away with cradle cap scales?
You may notice a few strands of hair coming away as cradle cap scales loosen.
The NHS says this can happen and the hair should grow back.
There is no need to pull at scales to try to free trapped hair. Let them loosen gradually with gentle care.
Brushing should also be gentle. The aim is to lift scales that are already loosening, not scrape them from the scalp.
Should you brush a baby’s hair?
You can gently brush your baby’s hair with a soft baby brush if you wish.
A soft brush can also be useful for cradle cap after the scales have been softened, as recommended by the NHS.
Avoid anything with sharp or stiff bristles that could scratch delicate skin.
If your baby’s hair is tangled, work gently rather than pulling through knots. For babies with curls or textured hair, you may find that finger detangling or a very soft, suitable baby brush works better than frequent brushing.
There is no need to brush a baby’s hair simply for hygiene if it does not need it.
What products should you avoid on a baby’s scalp?
Baby scalps are delicate, so more products are not necessarily better.
For routine care, avoid using adult shampoo or strongly fragranced products.
For cradle cap, NHS guidance specifically says not to use:
- olive oil
- peanut oil
- soap
- adult shampoos
- products containing fragrance or perfume
Do not apply medicated scalp treatments unless they have been recommended as suitable for your baby by a healthcare professional or pharmacist.
If you are considering a new product because your baby’s scalp looks dry, flaky or irritated, asking a pharmacist or health visitor first can save you from trying something that may make the skin more uncomfortable.
When to get professional advice
Speak to your GP if your baby’s cradle cap does not improve after a few weeks of home care, spreads across the body, or the affected areas become swollen.
The NHS also advises seeing a GP if cradle cap crusts bleed or leak fluid. These changes can be signs of infection or another skin condition that needs assessment.
Seek advice from your health visitor, pharmacist or GP if your baby’s scalp seems painful, very itchy, persistently inflamed or develops unusual sores, discharge or significant swelling.
If you are unsure whether your baby has cradle cap, eczema or another skin condition, avoid trying to diagnose it from photographs online. A healthcare professional can look at the scalp and advise you on appropriate care.
For everyday hair washing, keep things simple: warm water, gentle handling and a soft towel are usually all that is needed.
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