Many mothers do not always understand whether it is necessary to cut their child's hair in a year or whether this procedure should be postponed until better times. This uncertainty is largely due to the signs that have come down to our days, and different opinions, and often the opposite.
If you ask grandmothers why to cut a baby's hair at 12 months, then the most common answers will be the following phrases: "To make the hairs thicker", "Our great-grandmothers still did this" and "This will help drive away evil spirits."
Such omens and superstitions induce many parents to adhere to a ritual, the meaning of which they still do not understand. It is necessary to separate myths from the real state of affairs and have an idea of how to properly care for children's hair.
Why do children get their hair cut every year?
Today, many parents implement rituals and ceremonies associated with a small child, without thinking about their meaning and purpose. And practically no one thinks about whether this or that procedure is necessary or is it just another superstition.
Traditions of other nations
Most of the ancient peoples have traditions that require cutting children at a strictly defined age.
These rituals are associated with religious or mystical beliefs:
- for example, Indian parents and today they cut the hair of one-year-old babies, as if saying goodbye to their past life and "programming" for a more successful entry into the future;
- Mongolian parents all relatives are invited to the first haircut of the child. The celebration consists in the fact that all guests cut a strand, give a gift to the baby and say wishes;
- in Israel little boys brought up in religious families, up to three years old walk with side-locks. However, ordinary parents also adhere to this rule. At 3 years old, the most respected relative first cuts the curl, then other guests join the ritual.
The ancient Slavs also had a rite due to popular beliefs. Thus, parents were warned against cutting their babies' hair, because people believed that an early haircut (before the age of 12 months) would lead to weakness, soreness, failure, and poverty of the child.
Rituals of the Slavs
Trimming a one-year-old baby in Ancient Russia was intended to symbolize the transition to a completely different life and to protect the baby from the evil eye, damage and leprosy of small demons.
The haircut of the one-year-old child was carried out according to strict rules and specific algorithm:
- The scissors were taken exactly at 12 months. If you are late or hurry with a haircut, then its sacred meaning will disappear. That is, the ritual will become a routine hygiene procedure.
- In order for children's hairs to grow back sooner, a haircut per year had to be done on the growing moon. This rule was especially true for female babies.
- Usually the godparents performed the ceremony, since they could not trust a stranger like this. In the middle of the nursery, a sheep skin was spread, on which the baby was planted. The nominated parents cut off strands from the crumbs in four places, like a cross.
- After that, the hair was hidden behind an icon and was considered a kind of amulet that protected from diseases and damage. There is also information that the strands were buried in an anthill (for wealth) or placed under the ceiling.
And today, parents continue to believe that the strand cut off at 12 months should be kept at home. It is taken out and put under the pillow if the baby has nightmares. Another use case is to demonstrate a curl to a first grader for better assimilation of knowledge.
Misconceptions and myths
Grooming children in one year is still a popular procedure, because many parents are confident in the usefulness of such actions. Moms and dads once heard from grandmothers that children's hair would become thicker, thicker and healthier.
It is necessary to understand whether the opinions of parents about the benefits of the "anniversary" hairstyle are based on themselves or are common common misconceptions:
- “If you don’t cut your child's hair baldly at a year old, then in the future his hair will be thin, and his hair will be thin”. In fact, the laying of the hair structure and follicles occurs at the time of conception. That is, if parents or grandparents do not have thick hair, then no ritual actions will help the child become the owner of a gorgeous mane;
- "If you shave a child at a year old, then the hair will then again be thick and shiny." Shaving is a rather radical technique that can damage the hair follicles of children too much. Experts oppose these ambiguous parenting decisions;
- "Infant downy hair needs to be cut to make way for real hair." A child under one year old has the so-called fine hair that was formed in the mother's womb. The hair will "mature" closer to the age of three, so parents simply do not have objective reasons to panic.
For a more detailed debunking of popular myths about children's hair, read below. However, it is safe to say that such superstitions are quite tenacious and have been passed down from generation to generation for several centuries.
The pros and cons of early haircuts
In Soviet times, one-year-old children were usually shaved baldly, without thinking about why such a procedure was necessary. And if the child was in a trouser suit, then it was almost impossible to understand who was in front of you - a boy or a girl.
Arguments against"
Modern experts are convinced that cutting a child's hair at a year old is not only not useful, but can even cause significant harm to children's health.
Hair, as noted earlier, is formed in babies while they are in their mother's womb, which is why children are born with a fluff on their heads and even throughout their bodies.
After a while, the newborn hair begins to fall out, and more mature hairs appear in its place. By the way, they often have a completely different color. It is also normal that the new head of hair is delayed.
Trichologists lead several reasons refuting the importance of a child's haircut per year:
- The basis of the hairs is the bulbs, which are located inside the skin. Therefore, everything that happens to the outside with the hair can in no way affect its formation in the inner layers.
- Some mums and dads are convinced that after cutting the hair becomes thicker. However, this impression is misleading, since the density is created due to the same length of all children's hairs.
- Hair follicles at 1 year old are excessively weak and prone to damage. That is why even the most careful parents can accidentally pull scissors and injure the hair follicles. This, on the other hand, will damage the growth of hair.
- One-year-old babies have very delicate skin, including on the head. Often, a child feels severe discomfort as a result of irritated skin, especially since prickly stubble begins to grow on the head.
- The operation of the shaving machine results in small scratches. These microscopic lesions become the gateway for pathogens. And this is already fraught with infection and inflammation.
There is no scientific research that would confirm that after a haircut at the age of one year, the hair in children grows faster, looks healthier and thicker, no. The appearance of hair depends on good nutrition, rich in vitamins, genes and proper hygiene.
Arguments for"
Despite the fact that cutting a child at 12 months will not have a positive effect on the hair structure, in some situations a haircut may still be necessary.
When getting rid of excess hair on the head is justified:
- Because of his long hair, the boy is often mistaken for a baby. In this case, mothers, tired of explaining that there is not a “beautiful girl” in the stroller, but a future man, decides to use scissors (shaving the child is still not worth it).
- Hot summers are another reason to get rid of excessive vegetation. Usually children, whose first anniversary falls on the summer months, are cut. With a short hairstyle it will be easier for an active baby to survive hot weather.
- A haircut is also permissible if the long bangs cover the eyes. Firstly, hair constantly climbs into the child's mouth while eating, and secondly, regrown curls can reduce the acuity of children's vision.
- Head injuries are an important reason for hair clipping. Many kids are curious and constantly explore the world around them. Unfortunately, the learning process is often accompanied by scratches. To treat the head, you will have to cut your hair.
- Many babies have baby crusts on their heads that are extremely difficult to remove. It is not recommended to comb them out, and for better treatment, you can cut the hairs short. Of course, in this case, you cannot shave your head.
The desire of parents to see their child neatly trimmed is understandable. However, for this it is absolutely not necessary to cut his bald head, it is enough just to cut the bangs that cover his eyes, or trim the strands that go into his mouth.
How to cut a one year old child?
If you still decide in favor of a one-year-old child's haircut, you need to understand how this procedure is performed correctly. Usually, excess vegetation is removed from the baby's head at home, and not at the hairdresser, performing a few important rules:
- no need to shave your baby. The clipper is only suitable for adults. At the age of one year, the machine is capable of injuring the hair follicles due to hair clinging. In addition, the noise it makes can scare the child;
- get the right scissors. This tool should be with rounded tips. These scissors will not scratch your scalp. As a last resort, you can use a trimmer, the sound of which is not as strong as that of a typewriter;
- pre-wet your hair. It will be easier to cut a one-year-old baby if you wash his hair before the procedure. Wet hair is more comfortable to trim;
- wait for the child to calm down. In order for the haircut to go smoothly, you need to choose the most suitable time for it. For example, wait for your child to have lunch or sleep. If the baby cries or is sick, the procedure is postponed.
- create a comfortable environment. It is important to make sure your baby is comfortable. To do this, you need to prepare new curious cars or dolls or certain delicacies. You should also communicate with the child in a calm voice all the time;
- wash the baby. As soon as the procedure is completed, you need to wash the crumbs in warm water to get rid of the hairs. Be sure to carefully examine all the folds so as not to forget the sharp stubble.
An obligatory item is the treatment of the baby's head with an antiseptic (chlorhexidine), if you did not use scissors, but a shaving machine. You should also lubricate the skin with a baby moisturizer.
As a conclusion
In the event that the baby is categorically against a haircut, you do not need to insist. A similar procedure can always be carried out in a couple of months. A child's haircut is necessarily postponed if he has recently been ill or has undergone any medical manipulations with the head.
Do I need to cut my child's hair per year? This is not necessary at all. But if for some reason you decide to resort to hairdressing manipulations, you must firmly know how to cut a baby, with what tools, in what setting. This will help to avoid possible negative consequences.
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