A baby may have lots of hair, a little hair, or no hair at all when born. The hair may be in different locations on the baby’s head, or longer in some places than others. Also, infant hair tends to fall out within the first few weeks of life, to be replaced by hair that grows in gradually over the next number of months. When is it time for the baby’s first haircut? There are a few questions that will help you decide.

Is the baby’s hair in his or her eyes? If you don’t want the baby to have to look through a wisp of hair, or can’t pin it back every day with a hair clip, it may be time for a trim.

Is the baby’s hair uneven - longer on one side than the other, or longer on top and shorter in the back? A little cut could help the hair to grow in evenly.

Is the baby boy being mistaken for a girl because of his hair? A trim might help style the hair to grow into a more boyish look.

Some hair stylists have a special keepsake certificate for “Baby’s First Haircut” and will give you a lock of the hair to tuck into the baby book as a keepsake.

Some families want to wait until the child reaches a certain age, say two or three years, before the child’s first haircut. Sometimes this is for sentimental reasons, and sometimes it is for religious reasons. If it is for sentimentality, always keep in mind that the hair can undergo a slight trim to help it grow in evenly.

Some parents think that the child should let her hair grow long before getting it cut. But it will actually grow in thicker once it gets past the wispy baby hair stage. Sometimes a little trim can help the hair to transition in a more even growth pattern.

To remember the occasion of the first hair cut, take pictures and keep a little lock of the baby’s hair. If the child is a toddler, prepare him or her by “playing haircut” a few times before the actual appointment, so he or she knows what to expect. Instead of telling the child, play act the situation so he or she gets the sensory experience, and knows that haircuts don’t hurt. That will help you avoid a scene at the salon or barber. Children are afraid of unknown experiences, so the more the child is prepared and views a haircut as a positive thing, the easier the first time will be – on everyone!