How to care for your newborn’s hair?

IN THIS ARTICLE

1. When do babies grow hair?
2. Why do babies lose their hair?
3. How to make baby hair grow?
4. How to care for your newborn’s hair?

While some newborns are born with flawlessly coiffed locks, many begin with a spiky mohawk, tufted patches, or the scraggly comb-over of a young Homer Simpson. And still, some have almost nothing.

Don’t be too concerned — or overly connected — to your baby’s current haircut. Hair today, gone tomorrow for newborn ‘dos. Here’s how your baby’s hair can grow and alter, as well as how to care for whatever coif your little one has.

When do babies grow hair?

Even if your baby is born completely bald, the roots of her future locks have already been placed. Hair follicles begin to form by week 14 or 15 of pregnancy, laying the groundwork for future strands to grow.

That’s not to imply your baby will have a full head of hair when he or she is born — far from it. Most babies have very no hair when they are born, and the little strands that emerge in those early weeks and months may lose between the ages of 2 and 3 months.

When will she start wearing her locks permanently? Recognize that it will happen eventually. When that happens is anyone’s guess — it varies from child to child. Some people acquire a fantastic new head of hair in six months, while others do not for two or three years. Even though those strands are scarce at first, that doesn’t guarantee your child’s hair will be thin when she grows up.

Why do babies lose their hair?

Baby hair loss is common and nothing to be concerned about, whether your baby was born with a large mane or started producing a few sprouts that then began to lose.

It is, in reality, a normal, physiological reaction to birth. Specific experts attribute it to dropping pregnancy hormones — the same ones that may have given you fantastic hair! — which initiates what’s known as the exogen phase in some areas of the scalp, causing a large amount of hair to come out.

Fortunately, the exogen period is usually soon (or even simultaneously) followed by fresh hair growth. However, the baby hair that grows in may be nothing like your baby’s newborn locks.

Color and texture fluctuate frequently, so your baby’s thick, dark hair may seem sparser and lighter. Red can fade to blond. Curly can go straight. What a pleasant surprise!

How to make baby hair grow?

Do you want to style a lovely, sweet-smelling head of baby hair? While there isn’t much you can do to encourage your sweetie’s tresses to grow, you can offer existing tresses the best possible care and provide her body with the nutrients it requires to be healthy and strong from head to toe.

When your baby is awake, keep her off her back. Because they spend so much time sleeping on their backs, younger newborns are prone to developing bald patches on the back of their heads. While you should always put your baby to sleep on her back (it’s the safest posture and can help avoid SIDS), try to allow her to keep her head up while she’s awake. If she can’t yet sit up on her own, give her plenty of tummy time and keep her upright as you play or read books.

Avoid brushing too hard. Brushing 100 times a day, contrary to popular belief, does not promote hair growth and might potentially promote damage and breaking. Brush your baby’s fuzz as needed to style it, then stop.

Wet hair should be combed rather than brushed. Wet hair can be damaged by even light brushing. If your child’s locks are long enough that they require assistance after bathing, use a comb instead.

Avoid haircuts that are too tight. Are you tempted to style your baby’s small mane? Simply avoid tugging it back too hard and use gentle hair bands or clips that will not yank strands out or damage them.

Concentrate on eating nutritious foods. It’s essential for your baby’s overall growth and development, so nutritious meals and snacks will help to strengthen and nurture those growing locks. Before the age of six months, your infant only requires breast milk or formula. Introduce a wide variety of healthy foods as she begins solids, with a focus on the nutrients that are especially vital for newborns. Protein, calcium, whole grains and complex carbs, healthy fats, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A, B, C, and E are all important.

Think about coconut oil. After bath time, massage a dab onto your baby’s head. According to preliminary study, certain components in coconut oil may help battle hair damage and promote a healthy scalp. As with any natural remedy, consult your baby’s pediatrician first.

The cradle cap should be soothed. If your baby’s scalp has flaky, red areas, use mineral oil and regular shampooing to treat this common skin ailment, also known as seborrheic dermatitis. This can aid in the removal of scales and may hasten hair growth.

How to care for your newborn’s hair?

Do you have a baby with a full head of hair? Caring for those exquisite hair requires some skill, but nothing you can’t handle. Here’s how to keep your baby’s hair silky and smooth.

You should not wash your baby’s hair every day. There is simply no necessity, especially with newborns. When bathing your kid, aim for a short shampoo, which should happen no more than a couple of times each week.

At bath time, gently shampoo your baby’s scalp. A too-vigorous scalp massage might strain hair follicles and hasten hair loss or breaking.

Brush or comb your baby’s hair with a soft-bristle brush or a wide-toothed comb that won’t snag on tangles or pull it out.

Avoid headbands or ponytails that are overly tight, as these can harm her hair.

If your newborn requires a fast trim to seem respectable, go ahead and do it. Just make sure she’s well-rested and nourished, and provide her with some toys to keep her occupied.

Whether your kid is born bald and remains thus for a time or has a long, luxuriant mane, her hair status will most likely change. Meanwhile, give that cute little head plenty of kisses and take lots of pictures. You’ll both enjoy marveling at the hair she was — or wasn’t! — born within a few years.

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