Baby's first haircut: what age and how to go about it

Nov 3, 2026

Collage of round-tipped scissors, a comb and a lock of hair in an envelope, baby's first haircut – Treelys®

There is no recommended age for a baby’s first haircut: you cut when the hair gets in the way, falls into the eyes or becomes tangled. Cutting or shaving early does not make hair thicker, as its texture depends on genetics. What matters most is choosing a calm moment and safe tools.

Many families wait until the first birthday, others cut earlier, and others still follow a family or religious tradition. From a health point of view, all of these options are equally fine. The question is mostly a practical one, and sometimes an emotional one.

Baby’s first haircut: do you need to wait for a particular age?

No. No medical rule sets an age for the first haircut. The right time depends on how much hair your baby has and how much it bothers them. Some babies are born with a full head of hair, while others stay almost bald for months.

Several signs suggest a haircut would help:

a fringe that falls into the eyes;
knots at the back of the head that are hard to untangle;
long hair at the nape of the neck that traps sweat or bits of food;
strands that get in the way during naps.

On the other hand, a baby with little hair needs no haircut at all. Newborn hair often partly falls out during the first few months, especially at the back of the head, where it rubs against the mattress. It then grows back.

Does shaving a baby’s head make the hair grow back thicker?

This belief is common in many countries, but it is not true. Paediatrician Cindy Gellner, of the University of Utah, makes the point in a fact sheet updated in August 2026: shaving a baby’s head does not make the hair grow back thicker. Texture and growth rate are determined by genetics.

The same fact sheet dismisses another myth: cutting hair before the first birthday does not damage it for later. Hair that grows back after a cut sometimes looks coarser because its tip is blunt. Its nature stays the same.

So shaving the head does nothing for hair growth. It does, however, carry a risk of small cuts on a delicate scalp, especially if your baby wriggles. If a family wishes to shave for cultural reasons, it is best to leave this to an experienced person.

Cutting your baby’s hair at home: the method

A first haircut at home is often all that is needed: the idea is to shorten a fringe or tidy up the nape. The equipment matters as much as the technique.

The right equipment

round-tipped scissors, clean and sharp;
a wide-toothed comb;
a spray bottle of lukewarm water to dampen the hair slightly;
a towel over the shoulders and a small toy to keep little hands busy.

The right moment

Choose a time when your baby is rested and fed, for example after a nap. Some parents cut straight after bath time, while the hair is still damp. You can fit this ritual around whether you give your baby’s bath in the evening or the morning. A baby who dislikes water on their head will be happier with a dry cut: our article on the baby who doesn’t like the bath offers a few ideas for soothing these moments.

Safety steps

Sit your baby on the lap of a second adult, or in their highchair with the straps securely fastened.
Slide a strand between your index and middle fingers, then cut above your fingers, never close to the skin.
For the fringe, protect the eyes by placing your hand flat on the forehead.
Cut a little at a time: you can always take more off, but you can’t put it back.
Stop as soon as your baby gets restless. You can finish another day.

The same principles apply to another delicate task, cutting your baby’s nails: a suitable tool, a calm moment and short movements.

Home or hairdresser: how to choose?

Both options have their advantages. At home, your child is somewhere familiar, with no waiting and no hairdryer noise. You can stop at any time. At the hairdresser’s, the cut is quicker and more even, especially if the hair is thick or curly.

If you opt for a salon, a few precautions make the appointment easier:

ask whether the salon sees very young children, and at what time of day it is quietest;
plan to keep your baby on your lap;
bring a familiar toy or book;
mention that clippers can be frightening and that scissors are enough for a first time.

First haircut traditions around the world

In many cultures, the first haircut is a rite that marks a milestone. These practices are ancient and carry a specific meaning for the families who follow them.

In Muslim tradition, the newborn’s head is often shaved on the seventh day, at the aqiqah. Alms are frequently given, sometimes calculated as the weight of the hair in silver.
In Hindu tradition, the mundan, or chudakarana, is one of the rites of passage of childhood. It often takes place during the first or third year, sometimes in a temple.
In some Orthodox Jewish communities, boys’ first haircut, known as the upsherin, waits until their third birthday.

In France, many families simply keep a lock of hair in an envelope or a keepsake box, along with the date. Some pair it with a small celebration, such as baby’s first birthday. There is no need to make it an event: a quiet trim between two naps is just as good.

What about photos?

A first haircut lends itself to keepsake photos. Before sharing them, it is worth thinking about who will see them. The issues are summed up in our article on baby photos online.

Key takeaways

A baby’s first haircut follows no medical timetable. You cut when the hair gets in the way, with round-tipped scissors, a little at a time and at a calm moment. Shaving makes no difference to how thick the hair will be. The rest is up to each family, its habits and its traditions.