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Taking care of baby hair can sometimes be very challenging. But if you don’t attend to it, it can get dry, messy and lead to an unhealthy scalp and skin. Properly caring for your baby’s hair will ensure a shiny and healthy appearance.

Baby hair can be quite thin and more prone to tangling and breakage. Here are some helpful tips for taking care of delicate baby hair with no fuss and no tears.

Make It Fun

While most toddlers will never love having their hair washed, do your best to make it as painless as possible. Sing a song together while you're doing it. Tell your little one that you're giving her a scalp massage as you lather her hair with JOHNSON’S® baby Active Fresh™ shampoo, which has ActiveFresh™ technology to help prevent dirt from sticking to her hair. Let her blow bubbles while you're doing it. Distraction is key.

Comb Hair When Wet

As soon as you're done washing and conditioning her hair, comb it with a wide-tooth comb and get the little knots out before they become big knots. Never use a brush on wet hair. To help with manageability for thin and straight or thick and curly baby hair, use JOHNSON’S® baby Conditioning shampoo.

Get the Right Hair Cut

With the right haircut, baby hair should be relatively easy to care for. If your child has curly hair, you may want her hair all one length with no bangs. If your child has very thick or wavy hair, a layered haircut can help cut back the tangles. Talk to a hairdresser about your options.

Protect Your Child’s Eyes

No toddler likes to get anything in their eyes, so consider putting a visor on her forehead or rinsing her hair while she’s leaning back towards you so that you can avoid getting water in her face.

And a newborn’s eyes are still developing. They blink less often, tear less and it takes time for the blink reflex to develop, making it easier for an unwanted substance to get into the eye and cause irritation.

For worry-free bathtime, try JOHNSON’S® baby active Fresh™ shampoo with our NO MORE TEARS® formula — developed for babies and young children, it is mild to the scalp and as gentle to eyes as pure water, even as it leaves hair beautifully soft, smooth, and shiny.

Protect Against Frizz and Static Cling

If your toddler has curly hair, there's a good chance that it may become wild or unruly in rainy or humid weather. And straight hair can stick upwards or outwards in cold, dry weather. Wash baby hair with JOHNSON’S® baby Conditioning shampoo with added conditioning for more manageable hair. Try styling your toddler's hair by tying it up, for example.

Watch Out for Knots

Thick and curly hair can sometimes tangle very easily. For easy combing and detangling, consider using a 2-in-1 one shampoo that provides the convenience of shampooing and conditioning in one easy step. To unlock knots and tangles, try JOHNSON’S® baby Conditioning shampoo with added conditioning for more manageable hair. Also, it's a good idea to wash baby hair in the direction that it falls.

Protect long hair overnight — never leave clips in or keep hair tied up. If it's long enough, you can braid it before sleep.

Only Use Gentle Products

Baby and toddler hair care calls for specially designed products. To care for baby hair, it’s important to use gentle products with mild ingredients formulated especially for them. Use a shampoo that's enriched with conditioners for the delicate nature of baby hair.
Help promote grooming routines by complimenting your toddler on her appearance and using positive reinforcement. With proper hair care, you can help eliminate tangles and make combing easier for both of you.

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It’s common for newborn babies to lose their hair. Visit BabyCenter® learn how to reduce hair “patchiness.”

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