Lil Baby Dreads: A Complete Style Guide & How to Start Locs for Your Little One

When you think of the name Lil Baby, two things likely come to mind: his chart-topping tracks and his signature, well-maintained dreadlocks. His hairstyle became a major part of his iconic look, inspiring trends and sparking conversations across the internet. This has led to the term Lil Baby dreads taking on a life of its own.

Interestingly, that search brings two distinct groups of people here: fans who are curious about the rapper’s personal hair journey, and new parents who are thoughtfully considering starting a loc journey for their own little one. This guide is for both of you. We’ll get to the bottom of all the questions, from “how did Lil Baby start his dreads?” to the big one on everyone’s mind: “did Lil Baby cut his dreads?”

More importantly, we’ll move beyond the celebrity style to offer practical, expert-backed advice for parents. If you’re looking for trustworthy tips on how to safely start and care for your child’s first set of locs, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.

The Evolution of Lil Baby’s Hairstyle: From Twists to Iconic Locs

A signature hairstyle doesn’t just happen overnight. For Lil Baby, his dreads were the result of a journey that many people with locs will find familiar.

The Beginning of a Signature Look

Like many people who start their loc journey, Lil Baby didn’t begin with fully formed dreadlocks. His look started with a common and highly effective method: starter locs. Based on early photos, it appears he began with coils or two-strand twists. This is a foundational technique where the hair is twisted into small sections, creating a style often called the “Lil Baby twist” in its early days.

This method is popular for a reason. It allows the hair to begin the natural locking process on its own terms. Over months and years, with proper washing and palm rolling, these initial twists “bud” and mature into the solid, uniform locs that became his trademark.

Did Lil Baby Cut His Dreads? The 2025 Hair Update

This is the question that has been all over social media and search engines. So, let’s clear it up: Yes, Lil Baby did cut his dreads.

Fans noticed the major change in late 2023 and early 2024 when he appeared with a much shorter style. The long, swinging locs were gone, replaced by what is now being called the “Lil Baby haircut”—typically a low, clean fade. His hair now is kept very short, marking a distinct end to his dreadlock era.

In the loc community, this is often referred to as the “big chop.” It’s more than just a haircut; for many, cutting off locs that have been grown for years signifies a major life change, a fresh start, or a new chapter. While Lil Baby hasn’t spoken extensively about his reasons, his drastic change in hairstyle definitely marked a new era in his public image.

Signature Styles: The “Lil Baby Dreads Braided” Look

When he had his locs, Lil Baby was a master of versatile, low-maintenance styling. He wasn’t often seen with elaborate, complex updos. Instead, his go-to look was functional and clean.

His most popular style was having his Lil Baby dreads braided. He would often wear them in two thick braids, either hanging down or pulled back. This is not just a style choice; it’s also a protective measure. Braiding locs can reduce daily wear and tear, keep them neat, and prevent them from getting in your face. He was also seen letting them hang freely or pulling them back into a simple ponytail, showcasing the natural weight and length of his mature locs.

Starting “Lil Baby Dreads” for Your Child: An Expert-Backed Guide

Inspired by a celebrity or simply love the look, many parents wonder about starting locs for their children. It’s a beautiful journey, but it requires care and knowledge, especially when dealing with a child’s delicate hair.

Is Your Baby Ready for Dreads? What Parents Need to Know

Before you begin, it’s important to see this as a significant commitment. A child’s scalp and hair are more sensitive than an adult’s, so gentleness is the number one rule.

• Expert Insight on Age: Most professional locticians advise waiting until your child is at least a toddler (around 2-4 years old). There are two main reasons for this. First, their hair texture is more established. Second, they are typically better able to sit still for the initial styling and future maintenance. Starting too early on fine, wispy baby hair can be difficult and may not hold the style.
• Understanding Hair Texture: The good news is that all hair textures can form locs. However, the process will look different for everyone. Tightly coiled hair might lock up quickly using the comb coil method, while looser, curlier hair may do better starting with two-strand twists or braids and take longer to mature. Patience is the key ingredient, regardless of hair type.

How to Start Dreads on a Toddler: Safe & Gentle Methods

When you’re ready to begin, always choose a method that puts minimal stress on the hair and scalp. Here are the most common and safest starter methods:

• Comb Coils: This is a fantastic method for shorter, coily hair. Using a fine-tooth comb and a bit of natural gel or cream, you gently twist small sections of hair into neat coils. This creates a look similar to the “lil baby twist” and provides a perfect foundation for the hair to begin locking.
• Two-Strand Twists: If the hair has a bit more length, two-strand twists are an excellent option. You simply divide a small section of hair into two and twist them around each other from root to tip. This method is often quicker and puts very little tension on the scalp, which is a big plus for a wriggly toddler.
• Palm Rolling: This isn’t a starter method, but it’s the most important technique for maintenance. Once the starter locs are in, you’ll periodically (not too often!) roll each loc between your palms. This helps the new growth at the root begin to lock and keeps the dreads in a uniform, cylindrical shape.

Safety First: This cannot be stressed enough. Never use harsh chemicals or heavy waxes on a child’s hair. Avoid using tight rubber bands at the root or tip, as they can cut into the hair and cause severe breakage. Most importantly, ensure that the styles are never tight. Pulling too hard on the scalp can lead to a condition called traction alopecia, which is hair loss that can become permanent. The goal is a happy child with healthy hair.

The Ultimate Care Routine for Your Child’s New Locs

Once the starter locs are in, the real journey begins. Proper care is what ensures they mature into healthy, beautiful dreadlocks. Don’t worry—it’s less complicated than it sounds.

Washing and Moisturizing Baby Dreads

Clean locs are healthy locs. The key is to wash them correctly and not too often, especially in the beginning.

• Washing Schedule: For new starter locs, you’ll want to be gentle. Aim to wash them every 1 to 3 weeks. If your child plays outside a lot and gets a sweaty scalp, you might lean closer to every week. If their scalp is dry, stretching it to two or three weeks is fine.
• Product Choice: This is critical. Use a residue-free shampoo. Regular shampoos leave behind conditioners and silicones that can get trapped inside the loc, leading to buildup. For moisturizing, stick to light, water-based sprays. You can even make your own with distilled water and a few drops of a natural oil like jojoba or rosewater. Avoid heavy oils, thick creams, and waxes, as they will only attract lint and create buildup.
• Drying is Key: After washing, you must get the locs completely dry. Damp locs can develop a mildew smell over time. Gently squeeze the excess water out with your hands, then pat them with a microfiber towel (it leaves less lint than a cotton one). Let them air-dry the rest of the way.

Nighttime Care to Protect Your Investment

What happens at night is just as important as what you do during the day.

• Cover Up: Have your child sleep in a silk or satin bonnet or loc cap. If they won’t keep a cap on, a satin pillowcase is the next best thing.
• Why It Matters: Cotton pillowcases act like Velcro, pulling at the hair and leaving behind lint that gets permanently embedded in the locs. Satin and silk are smooth surfaces that allow the hair to glide, which prevents friction, reduces frizz, and helps the hair retain its moisture.

Retwisting: How Often and How To Do It Safely

Retwisting is how you maintain the neatness of the parts and encourage the new growth to lock.

• Frequency: A healthy retwist schedule is about every 4 to 8 weeks. Doing it more often than that puts constant tension on the roots and can lead to thinning and breakage.
• The Golden Rule: Don’t Overdo It. The most common mistake is twisting the hair too tightly. The loc should be snug, but there should be no visible pulling or tension on the scalp. This is crucial for preventing permanent hair loss.
• Expert Tip: For the first few retwists, consider taking your child to a professional loctician who has experience with children’s hair. They can establish a healthy foundation and teach you the proper technique for safe at-home maintenance.

People Also Ask: Quick Answers to Your Top Questions

Let’s tackle some of the most common questions about Lil Baby’s hair and the loc journey in general.

Do Lil Baby still have dreadlocks?

No, Lil Baby no longer has dreadlocks. As of recent updates, he cut his signature locs in late 2023. His current hairstyle as of 2025 is a short, low-cut fade.

How many dreads does Lil Baby have?

While he had them, the exact number was never publicly stated. Lil Baby’s dreads were of a medium thickness. The total number of locs a person has depends completely on the size of the sections they start with, their individual hair density, and the size of their head. This is why one person might have 80 locs and another might have 150.

What is the name of Lil Baby’s hairstyle?

This depends on which era you’re asking about! His iconic long hairstyle was known as dreads or locs, which he often wore styled in braids. His current hairstyle, after the cut, is a low-cut fade.

Conclusion

From tracking the evolution of a famous rapper’s hairstyle to understanding the delicate process of starting locs for a child, the world of dreadlocks is rich and personal. We’ve cleared up the questions around Lil Baby’s hair, confirming that he did cut his iconic locs for a new, shorter style. More importantly, we’ve provided a clear, expert-backed roadmap for parents, focusing on the safe, gentle methods required to begin a healthy loc journey for a little one.

Ultimately, the journey is about more than just hair. Whether you were inspired by a celebrity’s signature look or are embarking on a personal journey with your child, the concept of Lil Baby dreads highlights a beautiful and unique form of self-expression. With patience, care, and the right knowledge, you can ensure that this journey is a healthy and happy one from the very first twist.

Disclaimer:

This article is for informational and educational purposes only. The information provided is based on general knowledge and best practices in the loctician community. Always consult with a professional hairstylist or loctician who specializes in children’s hair before starting or performing maintenance on your child’s locs to address their specific hair needs and ensure their safety.