Shaving baby hair, what is it really for? & bull; hello healthy

In Indonesia, there is a tradition of shaving the head of a baby who is only a few months old. This tradition has been carried out from generation to generation. Shaving the head of a baby is even an important event for parents and the baby's extended family. In addition to this tradition, many people also believe that shaving a baby's hair until it's loose can strengthen the hair roots. When it grows back, the baby's hair will become stronger and thicker. Therefore, many parents choose to completely shave their baby's hair, usually before the baby reaches 40 days of age. However, not a few parents also choose to let the baby's hair grow as it should.

How about you? If you are still hesitant to shave your baby's hair, first consider the things below.

Tradition of shaving baby's hair

Many Indonesians believe that shaving a baby's hair can bring various benefits, even years later. Shaving the head of a baby is believed to be a religious and cultural ritual that cannot be compromised. Both girls and boys must be shaved no later than a week after birth or no later than 40 days later. After shaving until throwing away, the baby is expected to be kept away from various negative influences and forces.

The procession of shaving the baby's hair is also often used as a momentum to be grateful and grateful for the success of the delivery of the baby and its mother. So, cutting baby hair is the choice of each parent and family.

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Will hair grow stronger and thicker after shaving?

Apart from believing in a tradition that has been passed down through generations, many parents also believe that if the baby's hair is completely shaved off, the new hair that grows will be stronger and thicker. This belief departs from the myth that baby's hair is still very soft and brittle, so that if it is not shaved, the baby will grow up with the baby's hair that breaks easily. This thing that many people believe is only a myth. Medically, shaving the baby's head will not make the new hair grow stronger and thicker.

Human hair grows from follicles that are under the layers of the scalp. Even if you shave your baby's hair until it is evenly bald and the scalp feels very smooth, your baby's hair follicles will not be affected at all. So, the new hair that grows after being shaved until loose will still have the same characteristics as before. The new hair that grows may feel thicker, but that's because the length is evenly distributed. Meanwhile, baby hair that is allowed to grow naturally is uneven in length because each strand of hair has a different growth rate. As a result, if you rub the baby's head, the hair will feel thinner than the baby's hair whose head has been shaved.

Many parents also worry that the baby's hair that is not shaved will fall out on its own. In reality, this does not mean that the hair is not strong enough. Baby hair that is never shaved naturally will naturally fall out on its own, usually at about 4 months of age. After that, the new hair that grows new will show its unique characteristics, for example curly, straight, jet black or brown, thick, or thin. These traits are influenced by genetic factors, not because they have been shaved or not. Hair that is thick and strong can also be obtained by caring for baby hair properly.

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Tips for shaving your baby's hair

In the end, the decision to shave baby hair falls on your own hands. Since there is no medical necessity to shave your little one's hair until it is shaved, you can choose to let it grow naturally or shave it to make your baby feel more comfortable. Especially if the baby is often in a room or environment where the air is quite hot and humid. If you want to shave your baby's hair, here are some tips that you can practice on your own.

Stay calm and confident before shaving the baby's head, but if you are not brave it is best to let someone else do it or wait until you or your partner are mentally ready.
Sit the baby in a lying position with one hand lifting the hair you want to cut and the other hand to cut it. If you are afraid, ask someone else to help you pick and hold the baby while you shave your baby
Use scissors with blunt ends and make sure you wet the baby's hair with warm water, but don't need to get soaked.
If you want to shave your baby's head, use a new razor that hasn't been used and be sure to shave it as lightly as possible by flattening the scalp first so that no skin folds are scratched.
If there is a scratch on the baby's scalp until it bleeds, immediately take it to the nearest health care center

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