Shampooing

Bath time is fun and functional for babies and big kids, as well as for mom and dad. But don't let splashing water or stinging suds turn bath time into crying time. To keep water out of eyes and ears while shampooing your baby's hair, follow these steps:

• Dunk a cup in the water. Gently tilt your baby's head back, and then trickle water over the head and hair.

• Apply a few drops of gentle, tear-free baby shampoo; lather up and then massage into the hair. Try Mustela Baby Shampoo for gentle, plant-based cleansing in a hypoallergenic, non-stinging formula.

• Rub shampoo into the hair gently for a few minutes. Make it fun! Swirl hair into silly shapes (think mini-mohawks!) and encourage older kids to participate.

• Pour water from the cup over the head to rinse shampoo, or opt for a damp washcloth. Use your hand or a dry washcloth to prevent water and suds from spilling onto your baby's eyes or face.

• Keep older children from fretting about shampoo or water stinging their eyes. Bath time is the perfect opportunity to introduce water-friendly toys and games. Involve older kids in every aspect of this time together: turning on the faucet, selecting toys, picking a soft towel and even washing their own hair. Be sure to clean and dry toys thoroughly after baths to prevent mold.

Don't over-wash your baby's hair; once a week should suffice. A baby's scalp produces very little oil, and over-washing will only dry out the skin, notes Baby Center. However, older kids might require two or three shampoos per week.

Even with careful hair washing, it's common for babies to develop cradle cap, a condition that mimics dandruff, leaving the scalp red, flaky and irritated. See these signs? Then, try the following:

• Massage gently "with a soft-bristled baby brush or toothbrush before rinsing off the shampoo," advises Mayo Clinic. You'll slough away flakes and dryness.

• Consider a shampoo designed especially for cradle cap, such as Mustela Foam Shampoo For Newborns, which features exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids.

• See your baby's pediatrician for prescription treatments if redness or flaking persist.

Detangling

After shampooing, parents are faced with the often-feared moment of detangling knotty locks. But combing doesn't need to be a struggle! Have some conditioner or detangler handy. Here are some tips:

• Control wavy, curly or unruly hair with a kid-friendly conditioner that leaves hair silky-soft and less likely to tangle.

• Eliminate a separate conditioner and rinsing, two sources of bath time stress, with a leave-in treatment. Or, consider a two-in-one shampoo-and-conditioner formula.

• Towel dry the hair, and then use a wide-tooth comb to gently unravel tangles and snags. Starting at the ends, work the comb higher through the hair in sections until you reach the crown.

Trimming

When hair starts looking shaggy or a little too long, a haircut is in order. You may not think that your baby has enough hair for a cut, but the earlier you introduce your child to haircuts, the easier they'll be in the future. You can opt for a professional salon haircut or trim your child's hair yourself.

Leaving it to the pros. First, make sure the stylist is experienced in cutting children's hair. Often, stylists work quickly and the trim will be done in no time. Also, many salons specializing in children's hair offer fun distractions, such as movies, books and special chairs.

To keep kids calm while getting a salon cut:

• Arrive with your child's hair clean and freshly-shampooed.

• Request that the stylist use only plain water to mist the hair (if needed).

• Hold your child in your lap for security and comfort.

Doing it yourself. Cutting your child's hair at home has its upsides, too. The familiar environment may make the process easier, plus favorite toys and activities are just seconds away for a nice distraction.

Here are a few tips to make it a pleasant experience:

• Don't cut the hair right after washing. Instead, let your child relax before introducing the scissors if bath time tends to be stressful.

• Enlist your spouse or a friend to provide a secure, comfy lap for the child.

• Work quickly and always use childproof hair shears.

With these easy techniques, you can properly care for your youngster's hair now, plus keep it healthy and manageable into the future.

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