Of course, if the hair is visibly dirty, you should wash the hair.
It would be best to ask your pediatrician what he/she recommends since the stores can be confusing. It may also be a good idea to purchase a non-scented shampoo so that the baby does not object to the smell.
When you’re bathing your baby, use a small tub that either sits on the counter or inside a bigger tub, and fill it up with lukewarm water. . [4] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020. This will also help make your baby more comfortable and hopefully more cooperative.
Try to fold your baby’s arms across their chest before wrapping the towel around. This is a comfortable position for the baby to be in and will help them be more cooperative.
If the tub or sink is below your waist, kneel down next to the tub. If your baby isn’t big enough to hold their head up, try using a supportive sling inside their baby tub while you wash their hair. [7] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
This step may be easier if you wash your baby over a sink instead. This will only work, though, if the baby is small enough to be held over a sink.
Take care not to let any water get to your baby’s ears or eyes. This will be uncomfortable for the baby just as it is for you. Try to angle your baby’s head slightly back so that the water will flow away from the eyes and ears.
You will need to set your baby down or hand him/her off to another person for this step. Use non-toxic, gentle shampoo, but still be careful not to get the shampoo in your bayb’s eyes. [10] X Expert Source Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPHBoard Certified Pediatrician & Integrative Medicine Doctor Expert Interview. 6 May 2020.
You should only need to shampoo their hair for around 20-30 seconds since the hair will not be too dirty or sweaty.
Try to gently run your hand through your baby’s hair to make sure all of the shampoo is gone.
Try to use a warm washcloth to help soothe the baby.
