Aqeeqah and shaving the head

Assalamu Alaikum,

I would like to perform Aqeeqah for my children and I have two questions:

1. Can money be given as charity to the needy instead of cutting goat for performing aqeeqah?

2. Is shaving of head mandatory after performing aqeeqah and if the child is a girl should her head also be shaved?

Shukriya,
Your brother in Islam
. Asif.