Toddler Haircuts

Toddler haircuts are often a good choice in the early days as short hair reduces chances of dirt accumulation. In turn, it minimises chances of dirt entering her stomach through her hands. This is because there are chances of your toddler scratching her hair and putting the same into her mouth. Moreover, long hair also poses a threat of strangulation.

In India, it is a custom among some communities to opt for toddler haircuts at least thrice before she starts schooling. The hair is cut completely each time. It is believed that this helps in the growth of thicker and healthy hair. In fact, this ritual is often carried out on an auspicious date in a temple or a religious shrine.

You must make toddler haircuts as pleasant as possible. Remember to keep the toddler calm and under control. Some toddlers are afraid of going to a barber or a hair dresser. In such cases, you can opt for doing the toddler haircuts yourself. When you decide that you are going to be in charge of the toddler haircuts, be careful that they are done in an environment that she is familiar with. This makes the hair cutting process convenient and flexible for for both of you.

6 tips to avoid making the toddler haircuts a hair raising experience:

Tell your toddler that it is time to give her hair a trim to make it look pretty. Do not use the word cut as she may think that cuts hurt.
Keep your toddler occupied by talking to him right through the haircut. You may also give her a toy to play with while you cut her hair.
Wait till your toddler is sleepy. Ask your partner to hold her on her high chair while you cut her hair. When she is sleepy, the chances of showing restlessness are lesser.
You can cut a very little bit of your partner's hair in front of the toddler to convince her that haircuts do not hurt. Your partner can pretend to enjoy the haircut. Alternatively take her along when you go for a haircut. When she sees you getting your haircut, she will realise that it is not a scary experience.
Get your toddler to enjoy her favourite cartoon on video while you go about the haircuts.
If you don't want your toddler to consider haircuts as a separate activity, try doing it when the child is playing in the bath tub. This will distract your toddler.

Video on Trimming Toddler's Hair

How do I go about doing the toddler haircuts myself?

If you are planning to opt for yourself, doing the toddler haircuts yourself, remember not to appear nervous and sentimental about cutting her hair. Your toddler will detect your uneasiness and there are chances of her becoming emotional. Here are some simple steps for the toddler haircuts:

Spread a newspaper around the toddler's high chair so that all the hair fall on it. This makes it easier to clean the floor.
Spray water on the toddler's hair to make it damp. It is easier to cut damp hair rather than cutting dry hair. You can give the baby a water bottle with a straw or squirt so that she can spray the water on her hair by herself. This makes the toddler happy that she is able to participate in the hair cutting process.
Wrap a bath towel around the toddler's neck like a bib so that the cut hair doesn't slip through her dress and cause itchiness.
Comb some of the toddler's hair and get your hold on her little tuft using your middle and index fingers. Pull the hair gently until it stretches to the desired length and cut just above your finger. Sometimes, allowing your toddler to comb her own hair for a while helps to make her enthusiastic about the whole process.
Start the process by cutting the bangs so that the hair does not fall on your toddler's face. You can follow this up by cutting the hair behind the neck and back of the head to the desired length.
Tie a hair tape across the bangs and cut evenly above it.
Give your toddler a mirror to admire herself after the haircut and tell her that she looks lovely.
Treat your little toddler to a warm hug at the end of the process and congratulate her for being a brave kid.