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Fact: Shaving a Baby’s Head Does Not Make Hair Grow Thicker
It sounds strange, but I hear a lot of old wives' tales about children and their hair. We'll tease out the truth on these hair tales on today's Scope.
Parents often tell me that they shave their baby's head because it will make their hair grow in thicker. Unfortunately, that's not true, and all you'll have is a bald baby. Hair texture and growth rate are determined by genetics, and the only time a person's hair will change is if they've had chemotherapy.
Fact: A Baby’s First Haircut Does Not Determine Their Hair
Then there's the opposite. If you cut a baby's hair before their first birthday, it will give them bad hair. No, got to stick with genetics on this one, not the timing of your baby's first haircut.
Fact: Carrots and Bread Crusts Do Not Make Hair Curly
Another one is that eating carrots or the heels or crusts of bread will make your child's hair curly. If only this one were true. Again, back to genetics. Eating healthy food will make your hair look good, but it has nothing to do with curls. There is one positive truth about eating the crusts of bread, though. It actually contains eight times the antioxidants of any other part of the bread.
Fact: Squeaky-Clean Hair Is Not Healthy Hair
Then there's the thought that you should wash your child's hair until it squeaks, hence getting it squeaky clean. Forget this one. Shampooing your child's hair until it squeaks strips the hair shafts of natural oils and can make it dry and frizzy. Stick to lathering just once and rinsing thoroughly with a shampoo that is made for children, and it is safe if it gets into their eyes, which you know it will.
Fact: Bald Babies Are Usually Nothing to Worry About
Finally, there's the old wives' tale about how if your baby comes out with a full head of hair, that would explain all the heartburn you had during pregnancy. Surprisingly, researchers have found this one to be true in some cases, although they're not really quite sure how. Wasn't the case for me; I had bad heartburn and two bald babies. So this one too, really, should be taken with a grain of salt.
And if your child has no hair, that's okay, as long as they're not over the age of, say, one or two, and don't have any evidence of any hair formation. If that's the case, then you'll want to talk to your pediatrician.
updated: August 11, 2026
originally published: March 6, 2017
Sorting Fact From Fiction So Parents Can Worry Less and Trust More.
The Truth About Your Baby's Hair
Will shaving your baby’s head make their hair grow back thicker? Does cutting their hair before their first birthday cause bad hair? And can eating carrots or bread crusts actually make your child’s hair curly?
Burping Babies After Feeding
Many parents worry that if their baby does not burp after a feeding, they will end up with gas, colic, or an upset stomach. Learn when burping babies may help and when it does not.
Summer Safety Tips for Your Kids
Summer fun comes with its fair share of advice, but not all of it holds up. Learn how to keep your kids safe with tips rooted in real science, not old wives' tales.
What You Should and Shouldn't Be Feeding Your Baby
Many feeding habits are rooted in outdated advice rather than current science. Learn more about common baby feeding myths and what today's medical experts recommend instead.
Common Misconceptions About Your Baby's Teething
Many parents link fevers, diarrhea, and even ear pulling to teething. Learn how to tell when your baby's fussiness might be connected to more than just new teeth.
Why Your Child Isn’t Actually on a Sugar High
For decades, parents have blamed sugar for their children's wild energy, but research tells a different story. Learn smart strategies for managing sugar in your child's diet while promoting healthy habits.
5 Myths About Treating Acne
In the battle against your child's acne, parents often wonder about the efficacy of treatments. Learn five realities and misconceptions surrounding the treatment of childhood and teenage acne.
4 Myths About Toddlers
Many parents have heard traditional beliefs or old wives' tales surrounding raising children. Learn about the veracity of these toddler tales, providing clarity on what holds and what remains a myth in the realm of child development.
10 Myths About Diabetes
You have probably heard the old wives’ tale, “Do not let your child eat sugar, or they will get diabetes.” Learn the common myths and what parents should know regarding their child's diabetes.