1st haircut was an experience... when get better?

NewlyWeds13 · July 2011

My son was born with a lot of hair and it had grown pretty long (especially in the front and sides). We waited until he was 1 to take him and we just took him last night.

It was not the best experience. He cried very loudly, would not sit still (even while we were holding him) and we ended up having to have him sit on my lap and read, while husband gentley held his head and stylist cut. We could not even get it that short as she would not touch the clippers because he was all over.

So-- does this get better? How did you get your 1 year old boy (who is super active and runs everywhere and never sits still) to get their hair cut. I am already dreading the next trim, which will likely need to be in a month or so.

TIA!

Blackvelvet · July 2011

I have taken to cutting his hair while he sleeps and it looks horrible but it is shorter he will not sit still and screams when he see scissors

Lizard2022 · July 2011

DS didn't have a ton of hair so he didn't get his first haircut until about 18 months. We took him to snip-its, its a kids hair cutting place. They had a video for him to watch, animal cookies to snack on and lots of things to distract him. He even got the clippers. The stylist was used to kids too and was quick. I'd see if you can find a hair salon just for kids in your area.

MNgirl326 · July 2011

We went to a place called Kid's Hair, I think its a national chain.

They had special chairs for him to sit and and be belted in, tv's with cartoons, the receptionist came over and blew bubbles to entertain him, the stylist was quick and it was had fun cheerful decorationg.

I think that really helped because we didn't have any issues.

jaxmom1 · July 2011

I'm probably not much help. A very good friend is a hair stylist and LO knows her very well. She sat him on the counter and let him play with some of her "tools" while she snipped away. He watched himself in the mirror.

Dreamsicle23 · July 2011

DS has been twice and both times he screamed so bad I thought he was going to either pass out or puke. I really hope it gets better soon, because there's no way he's going back to the scraggly baby look.

JillAly · July 2011

My son cried, kicked, screamed and was a nightmare for the first 2 years. No matter what we did to distract him, it didn't work. We tried everything! The only thing that worked was time. By age 2, he was used to going to the hair place (we went to a kids place). By age 3, he loved going. When I suggested that I cut his hair myself, my son cried because he loves it so much now.

Just give it time. It's scary having someone come near you with sharp scissors. Hair salons can also be loud with all the hairdryers and usually are super bright. That is a lot of stimulation for a one year old.

some of the things we tried (maybe your LO will like it more than mine) was watching me get a (pretend) trim, cartoons, lollypops, balloons, watching other kids, a toy at the end of the haircut, sitting on my lap during the haircut (this worked the best) and bubbles to distract during the haircut.

RootBeerFloat · July 2011

DS did fine w/ haircuts from about 1 to 3. Then it went downhill... lots of screaming kicking, and crying etc. He's 4.5 now and hates going to the barber shop (or SuperCuts or kids' salon, all of which we've tried). So we do haircuts at home with H's clippers.

southernsweetieal · July 2011

i dont have a son but dd has been having her hair trim mainly bangs since about 6 months old and ive had to do them 3 times so far and they grow so fast. First time was easy now i have to hold her down and no matter how good we have her held she finds a way to move. she crys and screams like im murdering her just to trim her bangs. Im not taking her to a stylist to even up the rest of her hair until she almost 2 and will listen some what not to move.

KristinKD · July 2011

Did you take him to a kids' place?

I didn't take DD1 until she was 3, so by that point it was a breeze to sit her down on an animal chair in front of cartoons. I know it would be hard with DD2 now since she has no interest in cartoons yet but fortunately it'll be a while before she's ready for a haircut. lol.

Brit710 · July 2011

It makes me feel better to hear these freak outs are normal.

DS has been 3 times to Snip-its (he is only 12 months). Each time he screams bloody murder. I even tried shoving the sucker in his mouth during screams hoping he would taste the sugar and he would calm down and eat it. Nothing works.

Torani · July 2011

We took DS to a kid's salon. He got to sit in a firetruck, complete with steering wheel and bell, watch a movie, and I got a bottle of bubbles to blow at him. He barely even noticed the haircutting. If you don't want to pay for the kid's salon (DH almost choked at the $20 price), ask if you can bring bubbles to blow, as there were the BEST distraction.

melody921 · July 2011

DS cried like he was being tortured during his first haircut (a little after 1 year). But we just took him for his second, and he was great. The hairdresser gave him his own comb, and encouraged him to comb his hair, and look in the mirror. And she kept telling him he was doing great, and he did! I was very relieved. Oh, and he is NEVER still otherwise.

iumegan716 · July 2011

DS has had 2 haircuts. The first one went pretty much as you describe, though the barber used clippers so I think the noise was a big issue. The second one went a lot better, though still not great. We just took him to Super Cuts and the woman was really fast and did a good job. She used scissors and DS sat in my lap. As long as DH & I were singing to him, he didn't fuss. We're taking him again this weekend, so I'm hoping it will be better.

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