Welcoming a newborn brings endless questions — one common one is: “When can babies use shampoo?” According to dermatologists, you should wait until your baby’s umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed before giving a full tub bath or hair wash. Until then, gentle sponge baths are enough.
Once the cord falls off, you can begin shampooing — but not every day. For most babies, bathing (and shampooing hair) 2–3 times a week is enough.
Newborn and infant skin is thinner, more delicate, and more prone to dryness than older children or adults. That’s why experts recommend mild, fragrance-free, tear-free baby shampoo, avoiding harsh soaps or adult shampoos which may strip natural oils and harm the skin barrier
How often should you wash baby hair?
According to the guidance of American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), most babies only need two to three baths per week — including washing hair — as long as diaper area and skin folds are kept clean between baths.
If your baby’s scalp looks greasy, dirty, or if you’re dealing with a common condition like cradle cap (dry flaky scalp), shampooing once or twice a week with a gentle shampoo may help.
Bathing or shampooing daily isn’t needed for most newborns — and may even dry out their scalp and skin.
What kind of shampoo is safe for babies?
When choosing a shampoo for your baby’s first hair washes, pick one that is:
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Mild and tear-free — gentle cleansers, not harsh sulfates or strong detergents.
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Fragrance-free or very mild fragrance — less likely to irritate sensitive skin.
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pH-balanced or near-physiological pH — helps preserve the infant skin barrier and natural moisture.
So, using a mild, tear-free baby shampoo once or twice a week is unlikely to harm — and may help keep skin and scalp clean, especially if there’s buildup or cradle cap.
Why Indimums Baby Shampoo is a good pick?
If you want a baby shampoo safe for early hair washes, Indimums Baby Shampoo works well for several reasons:
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Reetha (Soapnut) & Shikakai Based Formula
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It’s formulated to be gentle on infant skin and scalp, avoiding harsh surfactants.
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It’s likely tear-free and pH-balanced, minimizing risk of irritation.
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It fits the recommendation of using mild shampoo only occasionally, making it suitable for newborn-to-infant scalp care or cradle-cap management.
How Indimums compares with other shampoos
| Feature / Need | Indimums Baby Shampoo | Typical Generic Baby Shampoo | Regular Adult Shampoo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safe for newborns (post-umbilical stump) | ✅ Yes — gentle, tear-free, baby-friendly | ✅ Often yes, but depends on brand/formula | ❌ Not recommended — too harsh for infant skin |
| pH-balanced / gentle cleansing | ✅ Formulated for babies | Varies (some mild, some less so) | ✖ Usually alkaline or strong detergents |
| Fragrance-free / hypoallergenic | Ideal — minimal or no fragrance | Mixed (many have fragrance) | Often strongly fragranced/perfumed |
| Tear-free & gentle on scalp | ✅ Yes (designed for infants) | Many yes, but check label | No — tends to sting if gets in eyes |
| Good for cradle cap / sensitive skin | ✅ Yes — mild enough for weekly use | Maybe (depending on shampoo) | No — may irritate scalp or dry skin |
| Strips natural oils / dryness risk | Low — formulated to preserve oils | Variable | High — likely to strip oils and dry scalp |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can I use shampoo on my newborn’s hair?
A1. Yes — but only after the umbilical cord stump has fallen off and healed; until then, stick to sponge baths with plain water or a washcloth.
Q2. Is it safe to use shampoo on a 2-month-old baby?
A2. Yes — for many babies, shampooing the hair once or twice a week with a mild, tear-free baby shampoo is perfectly safe. Dermatology sources like AAD recommend bathing (and hair wash) 2–3 times per week.
Q3. What is the safest shampoo for babies under 1 year?
A3. A pH-balanced, tear-free, fragrance-free baby shampoo with mild surfactants is safest. Products like Indimums Baby Shampoo — designed for infants — are ideal.
Q4. How often should I wash my baby’s hair?
A4. Usually once or twice a week is enough — unless the scalp is very dirty or you’re treating cradle cap. Bathing more often may dry out delicate baby skin.
Q5. When to switch from baby shampoo to regular shampoo?
A5. Switch only when your child is older — usually after toddler age, when scalp and skin are more mature. Until then, keep using gentle baby-safe shampoos.
Q6. Is shampooing too often bad for babies?
A6. Yes — frequent shampooing can strip natural oils, disturb skin pH, and dry out the scalp. Mild, occasional use is best.
