Baby in hairdressers

[thefruitwhisperer]

Im being unreasonable Im sure, but hes new Im only just learning where is and is not appropriate to take a baby!

Hes well behaved and I purposely booked a time when he has his nap. But when I asked they said I cant take him in with me

Is that normal or are they just being mean?! Ive seen babies in salons before!

[squeakytoy]

Babies cry, need feeding and need nappies changing. None of which can easily be dealt with while you are in the middle of someone cutting your hair.

Would you take a baby with you on a driving lesson?

A hairdresser wants to concentrate on the job she is trying to do, not have to keep stopping and starting if the baby needs attention, and other customers are entitled to a bit of peace too are they not?

[vmcd28]

Hammy, you're right - my baby isn't surgically attached to me. But we don't all have baby-sitters on tap.

Although I suppose I could go for a haircut and leave the baby in the car. Obviously I'd leave the window open a little.

[LittleOneMum]

I don't think that anyone is right or wrong here - just go to a salon which allows it. My salon doesn't allow children under 14 because it is a grown up, pampering, child free experience - that's how they sell it. if I wasn't happy with it I would go to one that does allow babies. Simple.

[vmcd28]

Squeakytoy, I do see your point but a driving lesson isn't the same as a haircut. And there are ways to plan ahead to minimise distuptions - ie feed and change them just before you go, and have a quick 5-min walk in the hope they fall asleep. Not many full-up babies will cause chaos in the short time you'll be there.

And the argument about it disturbing other customers - would you be happy at restaurants banning babies too?

[Hammy02]

Plenty of restaurants do ban babies. Not everyone is happy to be around babies at times when they expect peace and quiet.

[squeakytoy]

I will be honest VM, if I went to a restaurant at night, and there was a baby crying, no, I wouldnt be happy. If I went to a family friendly establishment then I would expect it, and it would be my choice to go there. But not in a restaurant that is not geared towards children.

Many parents like to go out to have some adult time, and having left their own children with a sitter, prefer not to have their night interrupted by other peoples children.

[vmcd28]

Squeakytoy, yes I completely agree - I don't always want a family-friendly night out either. It was probably a rubbish example :)
But my point is that the OP suggests that it had never crossed her mind that her hair salon was the type that banned babies - I.e it is not a top-end spa type of place. I am well aware of how irritating it would be to go to an up-market place for some pampering if there was a crying baby.

Fwiw I have a mobile hairdresser come to me :)

[bonkers20]

It's never occured to me to ask whether I could take my DS. I took him many times when he was a babe in arms. My responsiblity. I hate it though. Goodness how I wish I could have 1 1/2 hrs to myself to get a hair cut! It's not possible though so he comes with me. I have been there for years though so they do know me. I can't take him now though (nearly 2) as he's just cause chaos. Needless to say my hair is long and wavy and lusious a bloody mess.

[NorbertDentressangle]

I never took either of mine to the hairdressers with me when they were babies. TBH its always been an hour or so to myself without having to worry about them crying or needing to be fed/changed.

Thinking about it, I can only recall seeing one baby there over the years and that one was screaming the place down. As the Mum was having her hair coloured at the time it wasn't even easy for her to deal with the baby either.

On the other hand the salon that we take the DCs to always has children around. Even the stylists seem to return after maternity leave with their babies occasionally in tow.

I think you need to look at each salon individually and gauge which would find it acceptable.

[UKSky]

Didn't read all of the responses, but I have always taken by DD with me. For a full colour, cut and dry. I'm there for about 2 hours. They have never had a problem and actually go out of there way to make sure DD is OK. If she needs a feed, and I'm having my haircut they stop and let me get on with it.

Thankfully, she's actually really good and loves going as there is so much to look at and so many ladies to smile at. Also the chap who owns the place has 4 young children, which I think helps too.

[thefruitwhisperer]

Ive booked another salon where the ladies are lovely and are happy for me to bring him in. Its a quiet day, he'll be napping and it will only take 40 mins to get it trimmed.

I agree however, if I were taking him to the day spa in the town that would be totally inappropriate. But this place is just a salon on the high street!

[beanlet]

Well my baby had to have his first haircut at 2.5 months, so I think the salon are being absolutely bloody ridiculous, frankly.

A shout out for Tony and Guy - they even refused to charge us, and did a beautiful job!

[elphabadefiesgravity]

They are being mean. If I hadn't been able to take the children to the hairdressers when they were babies then I would not have had my hair cut for 3 years. It never even occured to me to ask if I could take them to be honest, I just did.

[thefruitwhisperer]

I asked because its new to me and I suddenly thought, hang on, what if Im not allowed!

Lucky I asked because it seems Im actually NOT allowed!

[thefruitwhisperer]

I did consider that but it turns out my mobile hairdresser friend is as expensive as this salon, even with discount!

[igetmorelovefromthecat]

My ex DP let me down last time I got my hair coloured and cut so I was left with DD2 who was 6 months. I rang the salon and they said it was fine to bring her. She LOVED it. She got loads of fuss from people, happily sat on my knee the whole time beaming at whoever would look at her and looking in all the mirrors. So was no prob at all and I think your salon is BU TBH.

Recently I found about a salon in my local town that has a free creche with qualified childcare people. Prices for the salon are very reasonable too. Brilliant idea! I have a gift voucher from a friend and can't wait to try it out.

[MsHighwater]

It would never have occurred to me that there would be a problem taking dd to the hair salon when she was a baby. Am rofling at the idea that someone else's "right" to peace and quiet in the hairdresser's means the OP should have to find a babysitter for a visit to get her hair done!

I was going to say that, in your shoes, OP, I would take my custom elsewhere but it seems you've already done that. Good for you. Just make sure all your parent friends know about it so they can go elsewhere too. :-)

[BexieID]

I've always had to take Tom and now Erin. There is a waiting area bit that Tom sits at and Erin is in her buggy. I would never get a haircut if I couldn't take them, and no mobile hairdressers here either. I'm desperate fr a cut now, but Tom has Chicken Pox, so he's obviously not at nursery.

I had to take Erin with me for Drs appt and Tom when Erin had her MMR jags. Although MIL would most likely take them, it's hassle driving them the 4 miles and back to her house for a 30 min appt, iykwim. I deffo wouldn't take them to opticians though!

[HeathcliffMoorland]

I'm not really one to think babies should be allowed anywhere and everywhere.

However, YANBU at all.

[Knackeredmother]

Always took mine as had no choice, I never asked and just breast fed under the gown if they woke.
I'd go somewhere else.

[thefruitwhisperer]

Im back! Had a lovely cut, he slept almost all of the way through, as I predicted, and when he did wake at the end the girls sat with him while he grinned, coo-ed and blowed bubbles! He loved it I think! All the old ladies coo-ing over him!

[zebedeethezebra]

YANBU at all, however what is the salon like, is there room for the pram to be? My hairdressers is tiny and there was never any way I could have got DS's pram in there. So he stays at home with dad whilst I get my hair done.