Why Doesn't `:first-child` Select the First `` in a ``?

Incorrect Interpretation of CSS Selectors

When attempting to style the first

element within a

with the class name detail_container, you may encounter unexpected results. This issue arises due to a misunderstanding of how the :first-child selector operates.

The CSS you have implemented is attempting to select the first

element that is also the first child of the detail_container

. However, if the first element within this

is a

, the :first-child selector will not match the

, even if it is the first

within the

.

Correct CSS Selector Usage

To select the first

element, regardless of its position within the detail_container

, you should use the :first-of-type selector instead. This selector will select the first

element that is a direct child of the specified parent element.

.detail_container h1:first-of-type {
  color: blue;
}

Alternatively, for greater browser compatibility, you can assign a class to the first

and target that class in your CSS.

.detail_container h1.first {
  color: blue;
}

By understanding the nuances of CSS selectors, you can ensure that your styling rules target the desired elements accurately.