Presenting… Baby Bangs
As baby photographers will tell you, there are a lot of props out there on the market for photographing infants. And, as is the nature of portrait photography, many of these props have a life cycle of a couple years and then, it’s on to the next Big Thing. Or, since it’s babies, Little Thing.
Putting things on babies’ heads and bodies is not new, but there’s a product out there now that puts all those bows and knit hats and tutus to shame…
It’s called “Baby Bangs,” and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
“Baby Bangs” are tiny headbands to which monofiber lifelike hair is attached, turning a sweet little bald head into a thick dome of hair.
They are baby wigs.
My friend, Kevin, shared this with me today, and for the life of me, I couldn’t form words. I sat at the computer, hands poised over the keyboard, speechless. And as you’ve probably surmised by now, it takes a lot to render me speechless.
The company bills the product as a “new hair accessory/enhancement,” but my question is…why do babies need enhancing? I understand that baldness affects millions of people and can be caused from anything from illness to genetics and for many, a wig is crucial to regaining confidence and self-esteem.
But, babies?
Do they feel better out and about in public because they now have bangs? Do they even know they are bald? Is this really an issue?
Now, to be fair, it doesn’t appear that these baby wigs are harmful in any way and I can see the cuteness in the pictures (that little red wig is pretty adorable) but still, what will Sally think when she looks back on pictures of herself as a baby with a wig on? I’m thinking Sally is in for some pricey counseling and hours on a therapist’s couch to discover why her parents didn’t love her bald head just as it was.
And what about baby Timmy? The website says “Baby Bangs” are made exclusively for little girls — what if baby Timmy wants to rock out a Justin Bieber look? Should he be forced to bear the shame of a bald baby head? Is he destined to be the laughing stock of his Mommy and Me group?
Where does it all end? I worry this could set a bad precedent. Today, it’s wigs, but what about tomorrow? If somewhere down the road you begin to see other pint-sized baby enhancements: baby press-on nails, baby collagen injections, baby Spanx…don’t be surprised.
