Are there any specific food recommendations for pregnant women to promote thick hair? As we know, one of the most important things a pregnant woman can do during pregnancy is to consume healthy foods for optimal physical and brain development of the baby. What a pregnant woman eats during the nine months of pregnancy will significantly impact the baby’s health.
In this regard, there are several foods that can help baby’s hair growth too,you know, Good.
If you’re a mom-to-be and want to know how you can grow thick baby hair during pregnancy, here’s all the information you need.
When Does Fetal Hair Start to Grow?
Baby hair begins to grow in the mother’s womb when the pregnancy is between 14 and 15 weeks old, as quoted from the Parenting Firstcry page.
A baby’s hair growth in the womb occurs in two cycles: after the first growth, it falls out and then grows back. All follicles are present now, and no new follicles grow after the baby is born.
Meanwhile, according to the Baby Center website , at 22 weeks, hair will appear on your baby’s head—and it may grow like a weed. Once hair begins to grow, the cells that produce melanin kick into gear and begin adding rich color to the strands.
In addition to the hair on the fetus’s head, around 20 weeks of gestation, fine hair begins to grow from these follicles on the eyebrows, upper lip, and chin. At 22 weeks, hair called lanugo is also visible on the fetus’s back, shoulders, ears, and forehead . This fine hair helps hold vernix (an oily substance that protects your baby’s skin from constant exposure to amniotic fluid) in place.
Lanugo covers the entire body, and most of it is lost before birth. Some premature babies are covered with a lot of lanugo because they are born before this fine hair normally falls out. The lanugo a baby has at birth usually falls out within the first few weeks of life, although it can persist for a few weeks longer.
Factors Affecting Baby Hair Growth
Fetal hair also requires nutrients to grow properly, so pregnant women should receive adequate nutrition. This is important not only for the baby’s hair but also for overall health and proper development.
The hormone estrogen is responsible for your baby’s hair growth.
If you want your little one to have thick and strong hair, you need to consume certain foods in your daily menu regularly.
To support your baby’s hair growth and development, eat well during pregnancy and take prenatal vitamins .
Foods for Pregnant Women that Support Baby’s Hair Growth
The hormone estrogen is primarily responsible for hair growth in the fetus. Your doctor may recommend a number of superfoods for pregnant women to ensure good child health.
Certain foods are recommended for promoting thick fetal hair growth. If you want your child to grow up with thick hair, you should consume these foods during pregnancy. This is the best time to start nourishing your baby’s hair.
Egg
Protein helps hair growth, and eggs are a rich source. Therefore, including eggs in your pregnancy diet can help your baby’s hair growth. According to the Parenting Healthy Babies website, eggs contain zinc, which is responsible for promoting hair cell reproduction. This nutrient promotes stronger hair tissue growth and can improve hair follicle strength.
Additionally, certain glands attached to hair follicles secrete oil. The zinc in eggs nourishes these glands and prevents hair loss in babies.
Fish: Food for Pregnant Women to Grow Thick Hair
Parenting Firstcry explains that fish contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are known to promote hair growth. One type of fish recommended is salmon.
Salmon is an essential food for your baby to have healthy, thick hair. Salmon provides fatty acids to the hair, which promote healthy hair growth.
Although fish can help hair growth, you should be cautious about including it in your diet during pregnancy, as not all fish are safe to consume. If you want to eat fish during pregnancy, it’s best to check with your nutritionist or gynecologist first.
Peanut
Nuts are a healthy snack that should be part of your daily pregnancy diet. Eating nuts and dried fruit will give you energy and also benefit your baby’s health. Nuts are also rich in fiber, minerals, and protein, all of which are good for hair growth.
The Babygaga website recommends consuming nuts like almonds and walnuts during pregnancy. These nuts contain important vitamins, such as biotin, which is essential for your baby’s hair.
These nuts are great as a healthy snack. In fact, almonds can also provide you with energy with their fiber, minerals, and protein, all of which are great for promoting hair growth and even brain development for your baby.
Avocado
Besides strengthening and thickening your baby’s hair, you also need to ensure that your little one doesn’t experience hair loss. Vitamins B and E are needed in good proportions during pregnancy. Avocados provide both of these vitamins and help maintain strong, beautiful hair that lasts, according to the Parenting Healthy Babies website.
It’s common for babies to experience hair loss. You can prevent this by being careful about what you eat in the days before giving birth.
Oyster
Oysters are a recommended food during pregnancy to help the fetus develop healthy, thick hair. Oysters provide the mother with protein, fatty acids, iron, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C, which are then distributed to the fetus. These nutrients are essential for maintaining healthy fetal hair growth.
However, you need to pay attention, oysters are seafood, so consult your doctor before including them in your diet.
Foods for Pregnant Women to Promote Thick Hair: Yellow and Orange Fruits
Fruits rich in vitamin A are also known to increase hair growth. So, include yellow fruits in your diet, Bun.
Sweet potato
Doctors often recommend sweet potatoes for pregnant women. This food contains beta-carotene and vitamin A. These nutrients strengthen hair and prevent the fetus’s hair from becoming brittle and dry.
To ensure your child’s hair is healthy, make sure you include sweet potatoes in your daily diet. Besides being delicious and filling, sweet potatoes will also strengthen your baby’s hair.
So, here’s a list of foods pregnant women should eat to ensure their baby’s hair is thick and healthy. Have a healthy and happy pregnancy, Mom!
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Republished with permission from theAsianParent Indonesia
