[StorkWatcher]

(HBV - I know you'll have great input here!!!)

Well, I think I'm going to do it. I think I have the nerve worked up to give my son his first haircut.

Maybe.

I didn't want to, as I wanted him to have those sweet, ducky curls for a year or so. But the babe's hair doesn't really seem to want to curl. It's babyfine (go figure) and not overly thick. He is getting a little too close to a mullet in the back. The part I really want to trim are the wisps that are growing down over his years. There are just a few, but they stick out straight over his eartops and look scraggly.

So - the tips I've gotten from co-workers so far, are:

Don't do it when the hair is really wet, because it shrinks A LOT when dry.

Hold the hair out away from the head between 2 of your fingers and snip vertically, just like a hairdresser would.

It seems I remember my mom using blunt-edged scissors on us, but I couldn't find anything like that at the store. I am very afraid of using the sharp, hair cutting scissors, as I don't want to poke him if he suddenly moves.

Anyone else have hints?

[Lovebug]

DS is going to be 3 next week and has been going to the barber since he was 8 mos old! Yes, I said it...8 mos old. His hair grows RIDICULOUSLY fast and he gets a haircut about once a month. So no home tips from me, but good luck and once you cut it, you will love it for sure!

Hugs, Renee

[StorkWatcher]

I have just been so reluctant to cut any of it - I don't want him to look like a big boy yet! But I also don't want him to look like a ragamuffin.... I had SO hoped for sweet little curls until he was 2 or more...

At least his bangs aren't too long yet, so if I botch it, perhaps it won't be too notice
able.

[ajjhmf]

Here's my advice.....

Cut the hair damp, but not soaking... it does shrink, so account for that

Do the cut in a stool or box or something like that in front of the TV... this keeps them kinda still and then there is no back of a chair for them to slide down against.

Take just a little off the first time so yu can get the feel of it. A few small haircuts more frequently work well for getting kiddo used to it.

Good luck!

[HBV]

Stork: You are brave to do it yourself! I just take H to the girl who cuts mine, but if you are going to do it yourself, here's what she does: she uses the layering shears that hairdressers use on grownups. They have a blunt edge, which is safer for Mr. Wiggleworm, and the cut is MUCH better, because it's softer---no hard lines or uneven bangs.

If you're going to keep cutting it yourself, maybe it would be worth investing in a pair of those---you should be able to get them from a beauty supply place. I just feel so much better seeing her use those than sharp scissors. At 16 months, H is getting his 7th haircut next week! It grows like weeds.

Don't fret---Baby A will look so cute when you're through!

Would it be worth taking him to your hairdresser and having her do it for this first cut so you could check out the technique? When we took H for his first one, we took the videocamera and champagne to the salon to toast the event. I know, we are dorks. What can I say?

[StorkWatcher]

I might give those a try. I don't have a regular hairdresser (long story short - I usually only have mine cut once a year, and do it at a walk-in type place.)

I could take him back home sometime, and go the gals who do my mom/sisters/nieces. They're dolls! And they would have a BALL cooing at him the whole time....

But I might go ahead and try those layering shears.

[kimmom]

I cut my whole families hair. I use a pair of cheap hair cutting shears ($10) and clippers for my stepson. I was surprised the first time I cut my husbands. It looked better than the cut he usually got, and it gets better everytime! My baby girls hair sounds like your sons, its just kind of fuzzy instead of curly. My advice is the same as before, dampen, hold with two fingers and cut. The worst that can happen is that your little on will have to wear a cap to the barber and get it (not fixed) improved. Let us know how it went!!

[kelceesmom]

Stork,
I use a pair of mustache scissors when I trim Kelcees hair. They are small, sharper, but not to sharp like the sheers. I usually give her something she likes like a dum dum and that keeps her occupied for a couple of minutes. Her hair is usually pretty much dry but not completely so that it doesn't have fly aways and I miss a whole bunch.

[Russiaknight]

The recent trick I found with cutting my son's baby fine hair is to do it at bathtime...I keep his head dry until the end and then cut his hair. He is occupied with his toys, likes his hair being cut and there is no mess afterwards. Of course this is all contingent on how active your child is in the bath...