A baby hair brush is a small, soft tool for smoothing fine hair, and the right one depends on its bristles, its handle and how much hair your baby has. Soft bristle brushes, fine and wide-tooth combs and silicone scalp brushes each do a slightly different job. This guide explains each type so you can choose a single piece or a set; for anything that worries you about a baby's scalp, ask your doctor.
What a baby brush is for
A baby brush smooths and tidies hair, for example after a bath or before heading out the door. It is a grooming tool, not a treatment. The head is small, the handle is short and the bristles are softer than on an adult brush, so the whole thing suits a small head.
A baby with very little hair may not need a brush yet, so it can wait until there is hair to tidy. If you notice flaking, crusting, redness or bald patches on a baby's scalp, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about it before you buy anything for it. A brush will not answer that question.
Soft bristle brushes
This is the classic baby brush: a small head with closely set, soft bristles. The bristles may be natural or synthetic, and the product description should say which. Look for bristle ends that feel soft and rounded when you stroke them across the inside of your wrist.
- Give the bristles a gentle tug. They should be firmly set, not loose.
- A small head is easier to control around the ears and the back of the neck.
- Check the handle length in the description, and pick one that feels steady in your grip.
Wooden-handled and bamboo-handled brushes
The difference here is the handle, not the job. Wood and bamboo handles have a natural look, and the weight and grip vary from brush to brush, so check the dimensions in the description. They also need different care from plastic: wood and bamboo do not like sitting in water, so wipe the handle clean instead of soaking it, and let it dry before you put it away.
Check that the finish feels smooth, with no rough spots or splinters, and follow the care notes that come with the brush.
Baby combs: fine and wide tooth
A comb is for parting, shaping and working through hair, and the tooth spacing is what sets the types apart.
- Fine-tooth combs have closely spaced teeth and suit fine, short hair and neat partings.
- Wide-tooth combs leave more space between the teeth, which makes them a common choice for thicker, longer or curly hair.
With either kind, check that the teeth are rounded and smooth at the tips and that there is no rough seam running along the comb. If hair is tangled, comb gently from the ends upward, a little at a time, and stop if the baby seems uncomfortable.
Silicone scalp brushes: what they are
A silicone scalp brush has soft, flexible silicone nubs or bristles instead of traditional bristles. Many are small and round and sit in the palm; some slip over the fingers, which the product page will show. Silicone rinses off under the tap, so these are often used in the bath to work wash through the hair.
Look for nubs that bend easily under your thumb, a one-piece shape with no seams or hollow spots where water could sit, and a grip that still feels secure when wet. It is sold as a washing and tidying tool, so scalp concerns still go to your doctor or nurse.
Cleaning and drying brushes
- Pull stray hair out of the bristles or teeth after each use. A comb works well for this.
- Wash in lukewarm water with a little mild soap, unless the care notes say otherwise, then rinse well.
- Shake off the water and let a brush dry bristle-side down on a clean towel, so the water drains away from the base.
- Wipe wood and bamboo handles rather than soaking them.
- Keep the baby's brush and comb separate from the rest of the family's.
Brush and comb sets vs single pieces
A set, often a brush and a comb, is convenient for a registry or a gift because the pieces arrive matched. Single pieces suit you if you already own one tool or want a particular type, such as a wide-tooth comb on its own. Check the product description for exactly which pieces are in a set, since sets differ from one to the next.
Whichever way you buy, here is what each piece is made for and how to care for it:
| Type | What it is made for | Care note |
|---|---|---|
| Soft bristle brush | Smoothing and tidying fine hair | Remove hair, wash gently, dry bristles down |
| Wooden or bamboo handle brush | The same job, with a natural handle | Wipe the handle; do not soak it |
| Fine-tooth comb | Partings and neat finishing | Rinse and dry fully |
| Wide-tooth comb | Working through thicker or longer hair | Rinse and dry fully |
| Silicone scalp brush | Working wash through hair at bath time | Rinse under the tap and air dry |
If you are putting a gift together, a brush set pairs easily with something the parents will use every day, such as baby wipes or baby diapers and training pants. For diapers, the diaper sizing guide helps you avoid guessing at the size.
Shop this guide
- Safety1st Cradle Cap Brush and Comb (ships via Amazon)
- Dr. Brown's Soft and Safe Baby Brush and Comb (ships via Amazon)
- Yoofoss Baby Brush and Comb Set, 4 Piece, Wooden, Goat Hair (ships via Amazon)
- Baby Nail Trimmer Electric, Safe Nail File, 6 Grinding Heads, Blue (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Baby Health & Grooming
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Does a newborn need a hair brush?
Not necessarily. Some babies have little hair at first, and a brush is a tidying tool, so it is optional until there is something to tidy.
Can I use my own brush on the baby?
Many adult brushes are larger and firmer than a baby brush. A baby brush is sized for a small head and made with softer bristles, and keeping one just for the baby is simple hygiene.
How often should I brush?
There is no fixed schedule. Brush gently when the hair needs tidying, such as after a bath, and keep it short and calm.
My baby has flaky patches on the scalp. Will a brush help?
That is a question for your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, and their advice should guide what you do. Choosing a tool on your own will not replace it.
Not sure whether a set or a single piece suits you? Message us through the contact page and we will help you choose.