6 Safety Tips And Measures For Baby Mundan That Every Parent Must Know

Probably the oldest after-birth tradition of the Hindu religion, tonsuring, commonly known as mundan, has been associated with countless mythical beliefs right from the beginning. Some parents believe that tonsuring helps prevent the child from an evil eye. Others also believe that it helps get rid of the birth fluids and relaxes the baby during their teething phase. But the most popular belief is that mundan encourages the growth of healthier hair. Tonsuring is beneficial for curing hair diseases like Piedra and Pediculosis. So, if you choose to hold a baby mundan ceremony, you must first know what baby mundan exactly is and when mundan should be done.

What Is Baby Mundan?

The act of shaving the baby’s first hair on the head, known as Mundan, Tonsure a ceremony in English. The baby’s first hair removal ceremony is considered significant and mandatory in Hindu tradition. Under the mundan ceremony, a barber is assigned to shave the baby’s hair at the tonsure ceremony.

Why is the Baby Mundan Ceremony Done?

Scientific reason: When a child is born, it usually has very fine hair on its scalp throughout the foetal stage. Such hair strands are frequently weak, and the density of hair on a newborn’s scalp is sparse unless genetics strongly contradicts this. The child’s head is shaved once its fontanelles are closed to stimulate dormant hair follicles. Early in life, these latent follicles are thought to be more responsive to stimuli than later. As a result, Mundan has a comparable effect on a child’s bald pate as derma rollers would on an adult’s bald pate.

Religious reason: Under the baby’s first hair removal ceremony, the mundan is one of the Shodasha Samskara, or 16 purifying rituals, in Hinduism. The tradition cleanses the newborn of any negativity from a previous life while encouraging mental and spiritual growth.

Is Mundan Good for Babies?

As per Hindu scriptures, Mundan Sanskar is important in a child’s development. It relieves inner body heat, keeps the head cool, and stimulates nerve and brain growth. It is also thought to be beneficial in lowering headaches induced by the eruption of a baby’s first teeth.

Post Baby Mundan Child Head Care Tips

The head is cleansed with holy water after the mundan ceremony. After that, turmeric and sandalwood paste is applied to repair the cuts produced by the process.

Can Mundan Done At Home

The baby’s first hair removal ceremony, mundan, has its unique set of customs for each household. Some people do it at home, with the priest and family members present to bless the infant. Others may request that the barber come home once their priest has given them a favourable time. Nowadays, many parents prefer to take their children to a salon or a beauty parlour.

Tips for Safe Mundan Ceremony

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Here are some impressive safety tips that will guide you on your first time.

1. Hire a Professional with Sterilised Equipment

A baby tonsure ceremony is usually performed in the first year. Your baby’s head is still in its developmental stage during this time, and it is soft and susceptible to cuts and wounds. To avoid making the activity painful for your baby or causing them any discomfort, ensure that you hire someone experienced in their work. Also, ensure that your barber uses sterilised instruments for performing the tonsure ceremony, for most of the blood infections are transferred via unsterile blades.

2. Dress for Comfort, Not the Occasion

As a parent, the baby mundan ceremony may be exciting for you as you are surrounded by your loved ones who have come to support your baby on this unique occasion. So, you may decide to dress your little one in fancy outfits, but these may not necessarily be comfortable. Babies tend to get anxious during special occasions and family get-togethers as they do not feel comfortable around many new faces. And uncomfortable clothing may add to their irritation. Therefore, whatever you plan to dress up your baby in, make sure that it will allow them to move and breathe easily.

Post-Mundan Bath

After the ceremony:

1. Arrange for a bath for your infant.

2. Ensure that the water is neither too cold nor too hot, as it may cause them sudden discomfort.

3. Wash off all the stray hair and wipe their head clean.

4. Gently rub some coconut oil on your baby’s head.

In many parts of India, sandalwood paste is used during the post-tonsure ceremony, a natural antiseptic. However, coconut oil largely remains a good way of ending the tradition because it is anti-inflammatory, works excellent on cuts (if any), and is also suitable for babies.

1. Allow Your Child to Rest Well

The baby mundan will be an overwhelming experience for your child so expect a lot of crying, irritability, and restlessness, even if your baby is not usually like that. The best thing to do is to feed them generously and allow them to rest to their heart’s content. Too many forced interactions with the relatives may also add to their agitation, causing them to be cranky, so refrain from doing that.

After Mundan Care

After the mundan ceremony is done, make sure you do specific steps to ensure your baby’s scalp health is good. For that, follow these procedures, and you’re all good to go!

• Avoid Cold Water

Make sure the water isn’t too cold or too hot after the mundan ceremony, as this could cause them to get uncomfortable.

• Take Care Of Baby’s Scalp

Wipe their head clean and wash off any stray hair. After that, gently massage some coconut oil into your baby’s scalp.

• Use Sandalwood

Sandalwood paste is used post-tonsure ceremony in India because it is a natural antiseptic. So must use sandalwood.

The mundan ceremony has a lot of importance and worth, which is why many families continue to include it in their traditions even today. Apart from spiritual grounds, this practice has its perks and benefits for the child. Follow all of the necessary processes and safeguards to ensure that the mundan ceremony is a safe and enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Related Articles:

Why I Don’t Believe In Mundan Ceremony: Here is a story of an anonymous narrating why they don’t believe in mundan rituals. Check that out here!

How Family Traditions Help Form Stronger Bonds: Must know how you can strengthen the bond in your family and lead a good and blissful lifestyle ahead.

Why Telling Kids About Family History Matters: A research shows that the kids who know intimate details about their family history are more rooted and possess a better understanding of the world than their counterparts who don’t. So you must know more reasons behind telling your kids about your family history.

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