You may be pleasantly delighted to see your newborn’s head full of hair or a little dejected if he is scantily-haired. However, what you observe in the beginning may not be your baby’s permanent hair type, as it would gradually shed and grow again.
As a new mommy, it is essential to understand the reasons for hair fall in your baby so that you know when to relax and when to hit the panic button.
When does a newborn baby’s hair fall out?
It is normal for newborns to lose hair in the initial six months of their life, which stops gradually after that period.
Why is my baby’s hair falling out?
Drop in hormone levels: Before birth, a baby receives high levels of hormones (mostly estrogen) from you. However, after birth, there is a major drop in the hormone levels, which results in shedding a lot of the hair your baby was born with, particularly on top of his head and on both sides.
Resting phase: The resting or telogen phase lasting for approximately three months, is often responsible for limiting hair growth in your infant during that period. Birth trauma, fever, or any autoimmune disorder may prolong the resting phase. The little hair remaining would fall off in the new cycle when they are pushed out by the new ones that grow. His hair might have a patchy look at first, getting thicker and stronger with time.
Sleeping on the back: Since parents put their newborns to sleep on their back to minimize the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), most babies tend to lose patches of hair on the back of their head due to the almost constant rubbing against the crib or bed.
Friction against a surface: Babies also have a habit of rubbing their heads on a particular surface like a mattress or car seat, resulting in bald patches which go away once they can sit upright.
How to stop or prevent hair loss in newborn babies?
Although there is no remedy for hair loss occurring naturally, certain measures may be taken to minimize its intensity:
- Change his sleeping posture regularly to prevent only one part of his head from being rubbed against the surface of the crib.
- Ensure more tummy time whenever he is awake to minimize hair loss alongside the flattening of the head.
- If you have a girl, avoid tying tight pigtails or even putting on an elastic headband, as it might result in hair breakage.
- While applying shampoo, which should not be more than twice a week for babies younger than six months of age, massage it gently into their scalp as a harsh hand may stress the hair follicles.
- Comb your newborn’s scalp using a soft-bristled brush to make way for strong, healthy hair.
Infant hair loss: Warning signs
If your baby is losing hair even after six months of age, along with other symptoms like loss of appetite, bring it to the notice of your doctor at once, as this could indicate an underlying condition needing treatment.
Possible medical conditions for a baby’s hair falling out
- Cradle crap causes the scalp to become dry and flaky (similar to dandruff), which may even result in hair fall in the affected area.
- Alopecia areata, where there is a sudden loss of clumps of hair, resulting in oval or round bald patches.
- Trichotillomania is a condition where one tends to pull the hair off the scalp and eyebrows, and eyelashes. Though it mostly appears in toddlers or older kids, it is essential to supervise an infant if he is seen to indulge in pulling at his hair quite often.
- Fungal infections like ringworm or tinea capitis are more common in kids above two but might even occur in infants, leading to black spots and flaking in the area where the hair has fallen.
- Atopic eczema, which occurs on the scalp or any other part of the body, might result in hair loss since it causes itchiness in the affected area.
- Hypothyroidism and hypopituitarism lead to hair loss.
- Deficiency in nutrients like calcium and vitamin D may also be one of the reasons for hair loss.
References:
- https://www.babycenter.com/health/conditions/hair-loss-in-babies_85
- https://www.parents.com/baby/health/other-issues/infant-hair-loss/
- https://www.thebump.com/a/hair-loss-baby
- https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a85/baby-hair-loss
Dr. Mashiach has completed his MD at the Sackler School of Medicine, TAU; specialization in gynecology at the Lis Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; fellowship in Endoscopy at the Polyclinique de I’Hotel-Dieu, Universite d’Auvergne, Clermont, France.
He is a Senior Physician, Director of the Department of Gynecology, which provides routine and preventative care services to its patients and a full range of gynecological surgical procedures for adequately managing its patients with benign gynecologic disorders.
He offers advanced care in all gynecological subspecialties such as Urogynecology, Colposcopy, Fetal Loss Clinic, and Post Menopausal Clinic.
