Baby’s First Haircut on the Upper West Side: A Parent’s Guide
By the Kidville Upper West Side Team · Updated October 2026
SHORT ANSWER
Baby’s first haircut can happen whenever the hair starts getting in the way; there is no medical age for it. At the Kidville Upper West Side salon, 205 West 88th Street, open seven days a week, a Child’s Haircut is $41, and a first haircut goes home with a certificate, hair clippings and a sweet treat.
Some babies need a trim at nine months because their bangs are in their eyes, and some toddlers reach their second birthday with barely enough hair to cut. Every child is different. This guide covers what a pediatrician says about timing, what happens during a first haircut at the Kidville Upper West Side salon, what it costs, how to prepare your child, and how to book. Every Kidville detail comes from the salon page, checked on October 8, 2026.
When should a baby get their first haircut?
There is no set age: book the first haircut when your child’s hair gets in their eyes, looks uneven, or when you want to mark the milestone. Pediatrician Cindy Gellner, MD, of University of Utah Health, explains that cutting or shaving a baby’s hair does not make it grow back thicker; hair texture and growth rate are set by genetics, not by when the first cut happens. That takes the pressure off. The right time is simply when a cut would make day-to-day life easier.
| Common belief | What the pediatrician explains |
|---|---|
| Shaving a baby’s head makes the hair grow back thicker | Not true; all you get is a bald baby for a while |
| Cutting hair before the first birthday changes how it grows | Texture and growth rate come from genetics, not the timing of the first cut |
| A baby with very little hair has a problem | A baby with little or no hair is usually fine |
| Slow hair growth never needs a doctor | Talk with your pediatrician if there is no sign of hair growth by about age 1 to 2 |
Source: University of Utah Health, “Debunking Old Wives’ Tales: The Truth About Your Baby’s Hair” (Cindy Gellner, MD), checked October 8, 2026
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you have questions about your baby’s hair growth or scalp, talk with your pediatrician.
| Reason for the first cut | A good fit at Kidville |
|---|---|
| Bangs falling into the eyes | Bang Trim, $16.50 |
| Hair is long, uneven or hard to manage | Child’s Haircut, $41 |
| You want to mark the milestone | Book it as a first haircut for the certificate, clippings and treat |
| You expect regular trims | 5-pack of haircuts, $200 |
Source: Kidville Upper West Side salon page, verified October 8, 2026
What happens at a first haircut at the Kidville salon?
Your child picks a themed chair and something to watch or play with, a stylist does the cut, and a first haircut ends with keepsakes to take home. Kidville says its salon specializes in making time in the styling chair fun and easy for kids: they can sit back with an Amazon or Netflix show, games or toys, and choose a fun themed chair. For a first haircut, Kidville sends you home with a special certificate, hair clippings for your scrapbook and a sweet treat for your little one.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Book | Choose a date, time and stylist at the front desk, by phone or online |
| Settle in | Your child picks a themed chair and a show, game or toy |
| The cut | A Kidville stylist does the haircut or bang trim |
| Keepsakes | First haircuts go home with a certificate, hair clippings and a sweet treat |
| Good to know | The salon does not wash hair |
Source: Kidville Upper West Side salon page, verified October 8, 2026
A fire truck chair turns the styling chair into something to look forward to
How much does a kids haircut cost on the Upper West Side?
At the Kidville Upper West Side salon, a Child’s Haircut is $41, a Bang Trim is $16.50, and a 5-pack of haircuts is $200. The 5-pack works out to $40 a cut if you expect regular trims. You do not need a class membership to use the salon, and gratuity is appreciated in cash or Venmo. Book through the salon page or the front desk.
| Service | Price listed | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s Haircut | $41 | A first haircut or a full seasonal cut |
| Bang Trim | $16.50 | A quick trim between appointments |
| 5-pack of haircuts | $200 (about $40 per cut) | Families who plan regular trims |
| Gratuity | Appreciated, cash or Venmo | Not included in the listed prices |
| Class membership | Not required | Anyone can book the salon |
Source: Kidville Upper West Side salon page, verified October 8, 2026. Price per cut for the 5-pack is $200 divided by 5.
How do I prepare my toddler for a first haircut?
Keep it short, familiar and on a good day: book a time when your child is usually rested and fed, and talk about it beforehand in simple words. A first haircut is new sounds, a cape and someone touching their head, so a little preparation goes a long way. Kidville’s setup already helps, with a themed chair and a show or toy to focus on. Here are a few simple ideas for before, during and after the cut. If your child already dreads the chair, our guide for a child who hates haircuts goes deeper.
| When | Ideas that may help |
|---|---|
| Before | Talk about the haircut in simple words, and book a time of day when your child is usually rested and fed |
| Arriving | Let your child look at the chairs and pick one; bring a favorite comfort item if it helps |
| In the chair | Use the show, game or toy as the focus, and stay close and calm |
| After | Celebrate with the certificate, keep the clippings, and enjoy the treat |
Source: Kidville Upper West Side salon page (chairs, entertainment and first haircut keepsakes), verified October 8, 2026; preparation ideas are general suggestions
The first haircut certificate is one of the keepsakes Kidville sends home
Possible downside: The Kidville salon does not wash hair, so if you want a full wash with the cut, plan a bath at home before or after the appointment.
How do I book a first haircut at Kidville Upper West Side?
Book online, call the front desk, or stop by. Online, you choose the date, time and stylist, sign in or create an account, and select who the haircut is for; new clients are asked to sign a waiver and share contact details. Then watch your inbox for the confirmation email. When you book, mention that it is a first haircut, and see the salon page for current availability.
| Visit detail | Kidville Upper West Side salon |
|---|---|
| Address | 205 West 88th Street, New York, NY 10024 |
| Phone | 212-362-7792 |
| mayor.uws@mykidville.com | |
| Days | Open seven days a week; salon hours are subject to change |
| Membership | Not needed to visit the salon |
| Nearest subway | 86th Street station (1 train) |
| Strollers | Stroller check on the main level |
Source: Kidville Upper West Side salon and contact pages (nearest subway from the MTA station map), verified October 8, 2026
While you are there, take a look at the classes. Our guide to mommy and me classes on the Upper West Side covers the music, gym and art classes you take together with your baby or toddler, and our kids classes by age guide shows what fits each stage.
Baby’s first haircut: FAQ
When should I cut my baby’s hair for the first time?
When it starts getting in the way, such as bangs in the eyes or uneven ends, or when you want to mark the milestone. There is no medical age for it. A University of Utah Health pediatrician explains that hair texture and growth rate come from genetics, so the timing of the first cut does not change how the hair grows.
Is 9 months too early for a haircut?
Not by any medical rule. If your baby’s hair is in their eyes or uneven at 9 months, a trim can help. A Bang Trim at the Kidville Upper West Side salon is $16.50 and a Child’s Haircut is $41. Call 212-362-7792 to talk through what your baby needs and to choose a time when they are usually rested.
Can I cut my 3 month old baby’s hair?
You can, but cutting will not make the hair grow back thicker or faster; a University of Utah Health pediatrician explains that hair texture and growth rate come from genetics. If you have questions about your baby’s hair or scalp, ask your pediatrician. For a professional trim later on, the Kidville salon is open seven days a week.
What are some good ideas for a first haircut for a toddler?
Make it an event. Book a time when your toddler is rested, let them pick a fun chair, and bring a comfort item. At the Kidville Upper West Side salon, kids choose a themed chair and a show, game or toy, and a first haircut goes home with a certificate, hair clippings and a sweet treat.
Can I give my 2 year old a haircut?
You can, but a wiggly 2-year-old can make even a quick trim tricky. The Kidville salon is set up for kids that age: at Kidville Upper West Side, a Child’s Haircut is $41 and a Bang Trim is $16.50, with a themed chair and a show to watch while the stylist works.
Do I need a Kidville membership to use the salon?
No. Kidville says a class membership is not needed to visit the salon, so any family can book a haircut. You can book online, call 212-362-7792 or stop by the front desk. Gratuity is appreciated in cash or Venmo, and the salon does not wash hair.
The bottom line
Baby’s first haircut has no right age, so book it when the hair gets in the way or when you want the milestone, and make it easy with a kid-friendly salon. At Kidville Upper West Side, a Child’s Haircut is $41, the salon is open seven days a week, no membership is needed, and a first haircut goes home with a certificate, clippings and a treat. The simplest next step is to book a time when your child is rested and let them pick the chair.
Ready for the big day? Book your child’s first haircut at Kidville Upper West Side, 205 West 88th Street, New York, NY 10024. Call 212-362-7792 with questions.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Kidville Upper West Side Team runs the Kidville location at 205 West 88th Street, New York, NY 10024, home to music, gym, art, dance and STEM classes, Kidville University, Camp Kidville, an indoor playspace, birthday parties and a kids salon for children from birth to age 6. Every age, price and schedule detail in our guides is checked against Kidville’s own published pages.
Sources
Every Kidville price and detail in this guide comes from Kidville Upper West Side’s own pages, checked on October 8, 2026. Hair growth guidance comes from a University of Utah Health pediatrician.
Kidville Upper West Side: Salon
Kidville Upper West Side: Contact
University of Utah Health: Debunking Old Wives’ Tales: The Truth About Your Baby’s Hair