Your baby's hair is falling out and you're worried. In the vast majority of cases, this is completely normal and temporary. Here's what SA moms need to know about baby hair loss.
You noticed it in the bath. Or on the cot sheet. Or in your hands after gently running them through her hair. Your baby's hair is falling out. Before you worry, here's what you need to know: in the vast majority of cases, this is completely normal, completely temporary, and nothing you've done or haven't done has caused it.
Why Baby Hair Falls Out
Newborns are born with a full growth cycle of hair that they developed in the womb. In the first few months of life, this hair — called lanugo or vellus hair — is shed and replaced by the baby's permanent hair. This process is entirely natural and happens to most babies to some degree.
The shedding typically begins between one and six months and can be quite dramatic in some babies. A baby who was born with a full head of dark hair may be nearly bald by three months. This is not a problem. It's biology doing exactly what it should.
The Friction Factor
You may notice that your baby is losing more hair at the back of the head than anywhere else. This is almost always caused by friction — the back of the head rubs against the cot, the car seat, the pram, and the floor during tummy time. This is also normal and resolves naturally as the baby becomes more mobile and spends less time lying flat.
Placing a soft satin or silk pillowcase on the cot mattress reduces friction on a baby's hair and scalp. It's a small change that can noticeably reduce the friction-related hair thinning at the back of the head, and it's completely safe and baby-friendly.
What the New Hair Looks Like
The new hair that grows in after the newborn hair sheds can look completely different to what the baby was born with. A baby born with dark hair might grow in with fair hair. Straight hair might come in wavy. The texture, colour, and curl pattern of the permanent hair is often a complete surprise — and it may continue to change throughout early childhood.
When to See a Doctor
Baby hair loss during the first year is almost always normal. However, see your paediatrician if the hair loss is accompanied by a rash or inflammation on the scalp, if there are patchy areas of complete baldness that don't resolve over time, if the baby seems unwell or the loss is dramatic and sudden after the normal newborn shedding phase, or if you have any concern that something else may be going on.
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