“Why are some babies born without hair?” Find the answer to this and other questions about baby hair growth here.
Like other parents, you’ll be giddy with excitement when you get your first glimpse of your newborn baby.
What will they look like? Who will they most resemble? When they are born, you examine their little facial features, toes, and fingers, and finally, you notice their hair or lack thereof.
There is no way of knowing what a baby’s hair will look like or how much of it they will have. Some babies are born with a lot of it, while others are born with a completely bald head. Both are common occurrences. Everything in between is as well.
How Long Does It Take for a Baby Hair to Grow
Even if your baby has some hair at birth, you can expect it to fall out within 8 to 12 weeks. When the baby is 3 to 7 months old, his or her hair begins to regrow. Some children, however, will take longer to grow their hair.
After birth, the baby’s body adjusts as the levels of hormones transferred from the mother begin to decline. This also affects the mother, as most nursing mothers experience hair loss in the first few months after giving birth.
Why do babies lose their hair?
Some children will continue to shed hair until they are 6 months old. This should not be a cause for concern because each baby is unique, and the rate at which an infant’s hair grows can vary. If your child sleeps on their back a lot, you may notice a bald patch where their head meets the pillow.
There is no need to worry as this is a part of the natural hair growth cycle for babies, and their hair will continue to grow and change over time.
Why Are Some Babies Born Without Hair
It is due to genetics. The DNA of you and your partner determines how much hair your baby has, as well as the colour and texture. Hormones, on the other hand, play an important role. In the end, everything from a bald kiwi fruit to a lush bushy toupee is normal at birth.
Fungus is rarely the cause of baby baldness, but it can be an autoimmune condition. Both cases have treatments available.
Consult your doctor if your baby appears bald as they approach their second birthday.
Why is my baby bald on top and/or on the sides?
Do you want to know why your baby’s hair isn’t growing on the sides or on top?
You may notice some bald patches on your baby’s head when he or she is less than 6 months old. The bald spot on the back of your baby’s head is most likely caused by your baby’s head resting on that spot while lying down.
When there is friction, baby hair tends to fall out – most little cuties have bald backs because they lie on their backs so much. It is critical for the baby’s safety to sleep on their backs.
So don’t worry about the bald spots. They will fade on their own as your child learns to roll over and crawl.
Should You Shave Baby’s Hair to Become Thick
Elders believe that when you make a child bald, his hair will grow thicker. That’s why it has become the custom for some parents to shave their baby’s head.
But according to Dr Jennifer Tiglao , a paediatrician from the Philippines, this belief is untrue, because a person’s hair being thin or thick is based on genetics or hereditary, and shaving the child’s head will not help to make it thicker.
“There is no medical explanation that when you are bald your hair is thick. That is not true. Because hair is genetic. If you were born with thick hair from your parents, from your ancestors, you will have thick hair.” explained Dr Tiglao
Often, elders will insist on following this belief because “There is nothing to lose.” But also according to Dr. Tiglao, you can expose your child to the disease if you bald his hair, especially if he is still a baby and his immune system is not yet strong.
“What’s even harder when you’re bald is infection. Because you have removed the one that protects the baby’s scalp, his follicles will be irritated. Imagine that there will be folliculitis, those small wounds, so it’s still a source of infection.” she said.
How to Make Baby Hair Grow Thicker
Image source: iStock
After a certain age, a baby’s hair usually normalises. There are several approaches you can take to address your baby’s lack of hair.
If you want to speed up your baby’s hair growth, here are some pointers to consider:
1. Nourishment
One of the most influential factors that can aid in the growth of a baby’s hair is nutrition.
While breastfeeding your child, you should maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Before the age of six months, your baby only requires breast milk or formula.
After that, when your baby transitions to a more solid diet, try to include a variety of foods such as greens, fruits, cereals, and pulses to promote hair growth. Healthy meals and snacks will help to strengthen and support your child’s growing locks.
Concentrate on the nutrients that are especially important for infants. Protein, calcium, whole grains and complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B, C, and E are all important. Vitamin E, in addition to being good for the skin, has been shown in studies to aid in hair growth and is used in a variety of hair care products.
Iron is another important nutrient that promotes hair growth by preventing hair strand breakage, resulting in thicker and longer hair. Include iron-rich foods in your child’s diet, such as green leafy vegetables, beans, pumpkin, and others.
Almonds are high in protein and essential amino acids. To encourage hair growth in your toddler, give him or her 2-3 almonds per day. You can also massage your baby’s head with almond oil.
2. Wash regularly
To reduce dirt accumulation and keep the scalp clean, wash your baby’s hair with mild baby shampoo once every two days, or more often, depending on the weather and your child’s physical activity. To keep your child comfortable, always use lukewarm water that is neither too hot nor too cold.
Using a tear-free baby shampoo would be a godsend in this situation. It will improve blood circulation as well as the hygiene of the baby’s scalp.
3. Apply conditioner
If your child’s hair is too curly and bushy, you can use a conditioner. A child-friendly conditioner can not only make hair easier to manage, but it can also provide essential nutrients to the scalp. It also aids in the removal of flakes.
It is a good idea to experiment with natural conditioners such as egg, hibiscus, and yoghurt. They are free of harmful chemicals that could harm the baby and work wonders on softening hair. To be safe, consult your child’s paediatrician first if this is okay since these home remedies have not been proven safe for baby.
4. Try aloe vera on baby’s hair
Everyone knows that aloe vera is great for the skin, but it can also support hair growth. For best results, apply aloe vera juice directly to your child’s scalp or mix it with shampoo or conditioner.
5. Use a soft towel
Rubbing your baby’s hair dry with a rough towel can cause hair follicle damage, resulting in thinning and hair loss. Instead, gently rub your baby’s wet hair with a soft towel to avoid causing any damage to his or her skin or hair.
ALSO READ:
All You Need to Know About Baby Cradle Cap and What Causes It
This 8-week-old baby’s incredibly thick head of hair is turning heads everywhere
6. Grooming
Simply running a soft brush over your child’s scalp can help improve hair growth. It can also improve blood circulation in the scalp.
Baby activities such as lying on their back, tummy, twisting, and so on can all contribute to entangled hair. Gently detangle your hair with your fingers or a soft baby brush.
You can also cut your child’s hair to keep it neat. Cutting or shaving the hair, on the other hand, does not guarantee increased growth. Cutting the hair can only help to make it look neater and thicker and lusher.
7. Oiling and massaging
Oiling and massaging improves blood circulation and provide the moisture required for healthy hair growth. For best results, use pure and organic coconut oil, or any other oil of your choice.
Massage your baby’s head with oils such as coconut oil or sesame seed oil on a regular basis to stimulate hair growth and increase blood supply. For best results, gently massage the head in a circular motion.
8. Tummy time
Younger babies are prone to developing bald patches on the back of their heads because of spending so much time sleeping on their backs.
If your baby sleeps on his or her back all day, he or she may develop hair loss or a flat head. You can eliminate this problem by changing your baby’s posture on a regular basis. Make them lie on their stomachs for a few minutes every day.
If she can’t yet sit up on her own, give her plenty of tummy time and keep her upright while you play or read books.
9. Try different products
Hair comes in a variety of styles and textures. While one shampoo and conditioner may be appropriate for curly hair, it may not be appropriate for straight hair.
Furthermore, products aimed solely at babies are free of chemicals and safe to use. Rather than sticking to a single product, try a variety of them until you find one that is ideal for your child’s hair.
Purchase sachets of various shampoos and conditioners and alternate between them each week. You’ll eventually figure out which one is best for your child.
When to Cut Baby’s Hair
The best time to cut a baby’s hair is typically around six months of age. At this stage, most babies have developed enough hair for a haircut, and it’s a good time to tidy up any uneven or straggly hair.
However, every baby is different, and some babies may have more hair earlier or later than others. It’s essential to consider your baby’s individual hair growth and needs before deciding on the best time for a haircut.
Additionally, it’s crucial to choose a kid-friendly and skilled hairdresser who can provide a stress-free and enjoyable experience for both the baby and the parents.
When to Be Worried About Baby’s Hair?
If your baby’s hair continues to fall after 6 months, consult your doctor to rule out other issues such as nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune diseases, or fungus. Allergies and other skin problems can be indicated by red patches or oozing skin of any kind.
Do not be concerned if your baby is born with little or no hair, or if they lose nearly all of it within the first few months of life. Keep them out of the sun, especially if their scalp is exposed.
Enjoy every day with your baby and the magic of those first few months without allowing the hair dilemma to affect how you feel.
Image source: iStock
Here at theAsianparent Singapore, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Singapore is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend consulting your doctor for clearer information.