A baby has a very tender scalp and hence you cannot use harsh products on the child’s head. Some babies are also allergic to products that are formulated for children and those that contain fragrances. There are a few precautions that you can take to ensure that your child does not have an allergic reaction to any products.Most babies suffer from cradle cap; this is a condition where the dry skin from the scalp begins to shed. It is very similar to dandruff in grown ups. It you notice the child’s scalp getting dry or flaky then you must use coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil on the child’s scalp to prevent the skin from peeling. If this condition occurs then you need to massage the scalp with warm oil daily and give the child a warm bath. This will ease the scalp condition. You must also avoid brushing or combing the infant’s hair till the condition clears.

Do not wash the child’s hair daily; this will cause the hair to get dry as the water will strip the natural oils from the hair. An infant’s hair can be washed once or twice a week.

Do not apply shampoo directly on the child’s scalp. Pour a few drops of the shampoo on your palm and mix it well so that it forms a lather. Move your palms over the child’s head to spread the shampoo evenly. Do not pour water with force on the child’s scalp as it may frighten the child.

If your child is sensitive to or has an allergic reaction to shampoo then you can use soap to wash the child’s hair. Glycerin based soaps are the safest products to use on the scalp and they help to condition the hair as well.

Massaging the child’s scalp regularly will ensure that the scalp is well conditioned; this will prevent cradle cap and dry scalp. Avoid using products that have chemicals in them as they may harm the baby.