As a parent of a baby or a toddler, you’ll probably hear a lot of “facts” or “myths” about treating your child’s hair. While some tips may not hurt and are actually helpful, there are a lot of myths that are not worth believing. Learn what’s real from these common myths and save yourself from trying out unnecessary ways of caring for your child’s hair.

Myth #1: Brushing More Than 100 Times a Day Will Make Hair Grow Faster

Regularly brushing your hair to stimulate growth may work great for adults. However, constantly brushing your child’s hair can damage their scalp and hair follicles. Your kid’s head is thinner than that of an adult’s. Brushing can pull their scalp and cause hair to fall out. Brushing will scratch your baby’s scalp and break even the healthy hair. Don’t try to stimulate your child’s head. Brush your kid’s hair only to keep it neat and tidy. Their hair will grow without being stimulated by combing or brushing.

Myth #2: Shaving Newborn Hair Prevents Baldness

Baldness in newborn babies is often common. Shaving your baby’s hair will not make way for healthier, thicker, or longer hair to grow. Their natural hair will grow as they become toddlers. Unless it is hereditary, there are other factors that can affect a baby’s hair growth. The weather also plays a huge role in the circulation of the skin and follicle activity that affects the rate of hair growth.

Hair can grow 10% faster during warm days than in the winter. Another version of this myth claims that shaving a baby’s hair before their first birthday can cause bad-looking hair to grow. There is no proof of this. Each baby’s hair growth varies from another and can be influenced by different factors such as genetics. As for the right time to cut your child’s hair, it is recommended to give your child a trim when the hair begins to get in their eyes or is irritating their neck or skin.

Myth #3: Not Cutting Your Child’s Hair Will Make It Grow

Cutting your child’s hair will not affect the way it grows. The hair continuously grows every day. Instead of wanting long and thick hair for your child, keeping it neat and free from dry ends is a better look and can be more comfortable for your child. Your kid will have healthier-looking hair instead of long but dry and frizzy hair. There is also a claim that baby hair stops growing at a certain length which is why some parents may decide to not cut their child’s hair.

Again, there are many factors that will affect your child’s hair growth. Aside from making sure that they have a balanced diet, they will also benefit from vitamins and supplements. However, you should consult a doctor if you're seeing signs of hair loss, thinning, or evident stunted growth.

Myth #4: Baby’s Hair Should Be Washed Until Squeaky Clean

There are myths among parents that a baby’s hair should be washed and scrubbed until it squeaks or else it won’t be as clean. This is a false myth that can be dangerous to your child. Washing your baby’s hair too much will strip their hair of natural oils that make it shiny and healthy. Excessive washing and even scrubbing can make the hair and scalp dry, cracked, and frizzy. Since a baby’s scalp is thin and sensitive, it can also cause hair to fall out or break. Preserve your baby’s natural hair oils by washing gently without the use of too many products or even harsh products. You can use something completely safe for this, such as Babyology’s Natural Baby Wash & Shampoo, with 100% safe and edible ingredients that allow you to keep your baby’s hair and skin smooth and healthy!

Myth #5: My Child Can Use Adult Shampoos and Hair Products

False. While it may not cause some issues, shampoos made for grownups or adults may have harsh chemicals or ingredients that are not made for kids or babies. Bathing and washing your kids can get messy since they are naturally playful all the time. Baby products are usually formulated with ingredients that are safe and mild to the baby’s skin. Some babies have more sensitive skin than others so using a shampoo or conditioner made for their age is ideal. You’ll want to use products that are safe when accidentally swallowed and will not sting their eyes.