If you planned on grabbing the first baby hair brush off the shelf to untangle your baby’s luscious locks, you might have been surprised to discover that baby brushes now come in more styles than ever before. And the different types and bristles all serve unique purposes — some for untangling, some for gentle styling, and others for dealing with cradle cap.
This can make it confusing when you’re trying to determine which hair brush is best for your baby. But we’ve spent more time than we ever imagined was possible reading all about baby hair brushes, and we’ll explain the differences to help unlock this mystery for you.
To make it even easier, we’ve included our reviews of the best baby hair brushes for all purposes. We’re confident you’ll love these brushes and will find the best one for your keeping your baby’s hair healthy while protecting their tender scalp.
- All-natural ingredients
- Helps with cradle cap
- Donates to charity with each purchase
- Easy to clean
- Big, ergonomic, and BPA-free
- Has both wide & fine teeth
Product Reviews
Of the many baby hair brushes we tested, these ones were the best for their intended purposes.
DermFrida SkinSoother Hair Brush
Best for Cradle Cap
This multifunctional bathtime tool will allow you to keep your baby’s scalp and skin healthy without the need to purchase multiple products. It’s soft enough to brush and clean your baby’s skin as well as their scalp.
We were blown away by how well it clears up cradle cap and eczema while gently cleansing the hair and scalp. Our babies loved the gentle massaging motion that also helps to exfoliate the skin and stimulate blood flow.
With this product, you do not need to use a baby washcloth, nor do you need to bring your baby’s regular brush into the bath and expose it to extra moisture and grime.
The silicone material does not absorb water and needs no dry time. It is also antibacterial, so you can be sure it remains safe to use and will not spread germs.
This ergonomic brush fits between your fingers, making it so easy to use, and you even get an extra replacement brush with your purchase.
Not only is it comfortable for you to use, but it’s comfortable for your baby as well. You’ll enjoy knowing they’re clean, and they’ll enjoy their relaxing head massage.
Pros
- The ergonomic design is comfortable for parents to use.
- You get two brushes in a pack.
- It is antibacterial.
Cons
- It is not meant for daily grooming.
- It is one of the more expensive baby hair brushes.
- It is relatively small.
Our Ratings
Royal Infant Natural Wooden Baby Hair Brush
Best All Natural Brush
We love how good this all-natural brush is for our babies and the environment. The wooden handle is made from beech wood, and the soft bristles are made from goat hair. Together, they form a premium brush that detangles hair, stimulates the scalp, and increases circulation.
The natural materials help to ensure your baby’s skin and scalp are irritant-free. This brush is also good for treating cradle cap.
Our least favorite thing about this brush is that the bristles shed, but this is totally normal for goat-hair brushes and lessens with time. To minimize and prevent the shedding, you can rub the brush on your hand or a microfiber towel. This will remove any loose bristles and ensure your baby doesn’t end up with a head full of goat hair.
Another reason we love love this brush is that Royal Infant donates 5% of their sales to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.
Pros
- All-natural ingredients prevent irritation.
- Helps with cradle cap.
- The company donates to charity with each purchase.
Cons
- Bristles may shed.
Our Ratings
Safety 1st Easy Grip Brush and Comb
Best Budget Baby Hair Brush
You can’t get a much better value than this Safety 1st brush and comb set. You get two products for less than the price you’d pay for a single brush from most other manufacturers.
The brush has a chunkier handle than many other baby brushes, making it easier for you to use comfortably. The comb also has different types of teeth, along with a wide-tooth section with features that will aid in detangling. We found the comb to be useful well after our little ones had outgrown the “baby brush” stage.
The brush itself has thicker and denser bristles than many of the other brushes we tested. It stays soft on your baby’s scalp and will not cause damage, continuing to be effective as your baby’s hair grows. Many moms found that it helped to clear up their baby’s cradle cap when they used the brush in the bath and applied enough friction.
Pros
- Dual-density comb.
- Easy-grip handles.
- Good quality set for a great price.
Cons
- The brush bristles tend to bend over time.
Our Ratings
FridaBaby Head-Hugging Brush and Comb Set
Best Brush & Comb Set
This soft, head-hugging baby hair brush and comb set by FridaBaby is by far the coolest set we’ve used. You can tell a lot of work went into its unique, flexible design.
It has two straps that slip over your hand so you can hold the silicone base against your palm, preventing you from dropping it if your baby is being extra wiggly. The flexible base molds to your baby’s head shape while you massage and stimulate their scalp and smooth their hair.
If your baby’s hair is long enough to get tangled, begin the grooming process by moistening your baby’s hair, then combing it with the easy-to-grip, oval-shaped plastic comb. To use the hair brush, simply strap it onto your hand and brush from the scalp to the tips of your baby’s hair with the soft, nylon bristles. This will distribute oils naturally, leaving your baby’s hair soft and shiny.
One of our favorite features about this set is that it all snaps together into the keep-clean case. The case prevents the accumulations of bacteria and keeps all pieces in one place.
To sanitize the set, simply wipe with rubbing alcohol and allow it to dry.
Pros
- Molds to your baby’s head shape for ease and comfort.
- Items snap together into a convenient keep-clean case.
- The brush straps to your hand, and the comb is an easy-to-grip oval shape.
Cons
- The case doesn’t have any drain holes, so the items should be totally dry before storing.
- Pricier than other sets.
Our Ratings
Disney Minnie Baby Hair Brush & Comb Set
Cutest Baby Brush
This adorable brush and comb set is decorated with every little girl’s favorite mouse, and the pink and white polka dot design will capture their attention while you go about taming their mane.
This brush has ultra-soft bristles so it will be gentle on your baby’s scalp. However, because of the softness of the bristles, it won’t do much to help exfoliate the scalp if your baby has cradle cap.
The comb has both fine and wide teeth, so you can choose the side that works best for your baby.
The plastic brush is easy to clean and won’t harbor bacteria. And it has a thick handle so it will be easy for your baby to grip if they want to play with it.
And even after your little one has grown and no longer technically needs a “baby brush,” you can give this to them to continue to use as a toy. Since it won’t pull or damage their hair, you can let them play and brush their hair to their heart’s content without worrying about them getting hurt.
Pros
- Cute and fun design.
- It can be used as a toy for older kids.
- Wide- or fine-toothed comb and soft brush are great for all hair types.
Cons
- It may trap bacteria where the bristles are attached to the brush.
- The design may not appeal to all kids.
- Some people found it was difficult for an adult grip.
Our Ratings
Does My Baby Need a Hair Brush?
There are several reasons you’ll want to use a hair brush on your baby’s sweet locks.
- Grooming: This is the most straightforward use of a baby brush. Some babies have more hair than others, but their scalps are much more sensitive than adults’ scalps. If your little one was blessed with enough hair that it needs to be groomed to look neat and tidy, you’ll want to opt for a soft-bristled baby brush rather than a plastic-bristled brush so you don’t damage their scalp.
- Scalp health: Brushing helps to stimulate blood flow to the scalp. While that doesn’t mean it will help your baby’s hair grow, it does help the scalp remain healthy. Brushing can also help to prevent and treat cradle cap (1).
- Stimulating: Have you ever had a scalp massage? They are so relaxing! While brushing your little one’s hair, the gentle bristles may have the same effect on your baby. Brushing your baby’s hair and scalp can be relaxing and stimulates their neurological system. Plus, it’s an excellent time for bonding.
Types of Baby Brushes
There are two main types of brushes for babies.
1. Soft-bristled
These brushes have ultra-soft bristles. They mainly smooth the hair rather than detangling as the bristles don’t comb through the hair like a regular brush. They are exceptionally gentle on your baby’s scalp and perfect for grooming ultra-fine baby hair. Some are made of synthetic fibers, while others may be made of natural animal hair, so make sure you read the label if you prefer one type of bristle over the other.
2. Massaging bristles
These types of brushes are used more for scalp care than for regular grooming. They are a little more firm, and the bristles may be made of plastic, rubber, or silicone. However, they aren’t the best for longer hair as they can catch the hair and pull.
Buying Guide
When purchasing a baby hair brush, look for the following:
Purpose of Brush
A soft-bristled brush is the best option if your baby’s wild hair needs to be tamed. If you’re primarily concerned about scalp health or cradle cap, we recommend that you pick one with a little more firmness to massage their scalp.
Types of Fibers
If you like the idea of natural fibres over plastic fibers, look for wooden-handled brushes made with goat hair or boar bristles. These may feel nicer on your baby’s sensitive head and are better for the environment.
Ergonomic Handle
For some reason, baby hair brushes tend to have tiny handles even though grown-ups are the ones using them. Pay attention to the design of the brush, and pick one that will be comfortable for you to use.
Material Construction
Wooden brushes may seem natural and wonderful, but they can be more difficult to clean since generally wood shouldn’t be submerged in water for long periods of time. If you plan to use your baby’s hair brush in the bathtub or intend to clean it regularly, it may be best to opt for a plastic handle.
When Can I Start Brushing My Baby’s Hair?
You can start brushing your baby’s hair right away. Some moms are afraid of hurting their baby’s “soft spot,” particularly immediately after birth (2). However, it is actually a lot stronger than it seems, so you don’t have to worry about harming your baby by brushing with soft bristles.
Brush for aesthetic grooming as often as necessary. If your baby doesn’t have hair initially, brush their scalp every time you bathe your baby.
You may notice the amount of hair your baby has varies from month to month, so their grooming needs may change. If your baby is born with hair, they’ll likely lose it after a few months due to hormonal changes. They may also rub a bald spot on the back of their head where it rubs against the mattress while they’re sleeping.
When your baby’s hair starts to regrow, you may notice it’s an entirely different color or texture than what they were born with.
How to Brush Your Baby’s Hair
You’ll use different techniques to brush your baby’s hair depending on whether you’re doing it for grooming or to keep their scalp healthy.
How to Brush Your Baby’s Hair for Grooming
- Use a soft-bristled brush.
- Brush your baby’s hair forward.
- Make a part on one side of their head. You may find that one side parts easier than the other.
- Sweep the hair in the front away from the part.
- If you have a girl, avoid using clips, headbands, or elastics too frequently, as they can pull and break the delicate hair strands (3).
How to Brush Your Baby’s Hair for Scalp Health
- When you bathe your baby, massage shampoo and water into their scalp.
- Rinse the shampoo so you have a clear visual of the scalp.
- Brush the hair in the opposite direction of how it is growing.
- If you see spots of cradle cap, give them extra attention. However, don’t expect to fully get rid of all cradle cap spots in one session.
- Rinse your baby’s hair again to remove skin flakes that have fallen off. Shampoo again if necessary.
- Do not avoid washing and brushing the soft spot.
FAQs
How Often Should You Brush Newborn Hair?
Brushing a newborn’s hair gently every day to stimulate the scalp and prevent cradle cap is good. Ensure the brush bristles are soft.
Does Brushing Baby’s Hair Stimulate Growth?
While brushing won’t necessarily make hair grow faster, it can help distribute natural oils and keep the scalp healthy.
When Should Hair Brushing Be Avoided?
If the baby has a scalp condition, like a cradle cap, be gentle and consult with a pediatrician on care. Also, avoid brushing right after a bath when the hair is very wet.
How Often Should You Replace Your Baby Hairbrush?
Replace when the bristles show signs of wear or if the brush becomes dirty or moldy.
The Bottom Line
Our top pick for the best baby hair brush is the FridaBaby DermFrida SkinSoother. It is made of 100% silicone, so it will not harbor bacteria. Its multifunctional properties allow you to also use it in place of washcloths, which need regular laundering. It effectively prevents and treats cradle cap and fits easily between your fingers, so you don’t even need to grip it.
