Monday, April 29, 2024

Baby Hair: Why It Falls Out and How to Help it Grow

why do babies lose their hair

Losing their early tresses—whether completely or in patches—is just part of the adjustment their little bodies make as they begin life out in the big wide world, unattached to mama. But there are other things, including losing that extra-luscious hair you might have gained during the peak of your pregnancy. Once born, you examine their little face features, toes, and fingers, and not lastly, you’ll notice the hair (or the lack of it). This is why, for example, dark-haired parents may produce a fair-haired child due to an unexpressed blond hair gene.

How do I know which type of hair loss I have?

But most likely, none of the serious causes listed for telogen effluvium — like physical or emotional stress, chronic illness, and anemia — are behind your baby’s hair loss. If there's ever a concern about your baby's health, including hair growth, you should discuss it with their healthcare provider. Some childhood conditions may contribute to hair loss as your baby grows older. Closer to your baby's first birthday and beyond, the new hair that comes in will be stronger and thicker. Luckily, the exogen phase is usually followed rather quickly (or even simultaneously) by new hair growth. But the baby hair that grows in may be nothing like your little one’s newborn locks.

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In other cases, their hair fall is prominent leaving your little one bald. Of course, it is just the old hair falling out to give space to newer hair. Your immune system attacks the follicles from which hair grows. About 1 out of every 1,000 children has the localized version called alopecia areata. If you notice that your baby has bald patches, observe the way they sit and sleep. If they always sleep in the same position or tend to sit with the back of their head against a baby seat, they may lose hair in that area.

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Depending on your child’s age, the dermatologist may allow the use of hair growth stimulators such as minoxidil and anthralin in addition to steroids. So when you see tufts of hair on your baby’s pillow a few weeks after birth, don’t panic; what you’re seeing is part of the natural hair cycle. Having your baby sleep on their back may seem to be the root problem, but the friction between the scalp and the pillow is only just aiding the hair shedding, not causing it. By the time your baby is born, most of the hair follicles in the front have finished shedding, and are already actively growing (anagen). In some babies, the hair in the back doesn’t enter the shedding process until a few weeks after birth.

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On the whole, it’s important that you speak with your doctor about any symptoms you’re experiencing. A dermatologist can provide a proper diagnosis, and select a personalized treatment that will help restore health to you hair and scalp. Understanding the underlying cause of your hair loss is absolutely necessary in determining the best approach to halt and reverse any further damage to your hair and scalp. So, as the pregnancy hormones get flushed out of your little one too, they’re susceptible to many of the same sorts of changes, including losing some of that lovely hair—just like you. And for the many with hair, it’s completely normal for them to lose it. Children with thicker, curlier hair tend to go through more phases of losing and gaining volume as these new terminal hairs replace the old ones.

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For babies, it could happen due to surgery, high fever, or even emotional stress. You might notice loose strands of hair after stroking your baby's head, shampooing their hair, or on their crib sheets. Especially for first-time parents, this type of infant hair loss can be disconcerting. Seeing loose baby hairs, or even a little clump of them, may make parents wonder if something's wrong—but in almost all cases, this is a normal process. This type of baby hair loss is called friction alopecia or neonatal occipital alopecia.

Stick to soft headbands that won’t pull too tight or cause discomfort. This scalp infection spreads when kids share personal items such as combs and hats. It’s also known as ringworm of the scalp, although it’s caused by a fungus. Instead, continue practicing safe sleep habits, even if you’re worried sleeping on their back is causing them to lose more hair. None of these symptoms indicate a life-threatening illness, but it’s important to consult a doctor for further advice if you observe them in your baby.

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This is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. The patches are smooth and without any signs of broken hairs. Though not common, 1 in 5 people can get it if a family member has the same condition.

Hair Loss

For a long time, experts thought this supported the friction theory. Six months is about when babies start sitting upright and putting less pressure on the back of their heads throughout the day. It makes sense why experts believe that pressure causes hair loss since hair loss resolves around the same time that pressure and friction on the back of the head naturally decrease.

why do babies lose their hair

Mention your baby's hair loss to his doctor, especially after your baby's 6-month birthday. Chances are the hair loss is normal, but their doctor can make sure that there isn't an underlying medical condition and help with treatment if there happens to be a problem. If your child has ringworm, for example, an antifungal medication will be prescribed. Parents are sometimes surprised to discover that when a baby grows a new head of hair it's a completely different color and texture than what he was born with. BabyCenter reader Julie's son Will was born with a full head of thick black hair.

why do babies lose their hair

The onset of labor alerts a baby's body to start producing hormones that are crucial for life outside the womb. Some hormones help the baby's arteries and veins develop, ensuring that the organs receive ample blood during labor and after the umbilical cord is cut, Timberline told Live Science. To help clear up your baby’s scalp, wash their hair only with gentle shampoos. Avoid using anything with chemicals that can dry out their skin even more. In addition, use our Cradle Cap Cream to keep their head moisturized.

Now that you and your baby are no longer sharing the same hormones, both of your hair growth cycles are resetting. That means that as you may be finding lots of strands in your hairbrush, you're also spotting tiny fallen newborn strands. Baby hair will change a lot throughout the early months and years of childhood. Take comfort knowing that newborn hair loss and baby hair regrowth isn’t typically a cause for concern. However, if you have questions about baby’s hair, don’t hesitate to flag them with your pediatrician—even if they don’t bring up the topic. “Baby scalp care is often overlooked, and not frequently discussed in the doctor’s office,” says Benjamin.

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