Question
What are the precautions to take when giving a baby a first haircut?
Answer
A baby’s scalp is very delicate, and shaving it completely can easily cause injury. The lanugo acts as a protective layer for the scalp and fontanelle. Removing the lanugo can lead to excessive heat dissipation on the head, making the baby more susceptible to colds. The lanugo will naturally fall out and be replaced by real hair. The belief that shaving the lanugo will result in thicker hair has no scientific basis.