Almost all newborns lose some or all of their hair. Baby hair is shed before mature hair arrives. Therefore, hair loss that occurs in the first 6 months is normal and not a cause for concern. Hair loss in babies usually reaches its peak in the 3rd month.
Cause of hair loss in babies: Hormonal changes and sleeping position
During pregnancy, hormones that strengthen and thicken the mother’s hair and prevent it from falling out at a normal rate pass to the baby through the placenta. After birth, the baby’s hair begins to fall out as the levels of these hormones in his body decrease.
To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), babies should always be placed on their backs while sleeping until they are 1 year old and can safely roll over on their own. Baldness develops when the back of their head constantly rubs against the bed when they lie on their back.
What should be considered?
- Reduce the time your baby spends on their back by allowing them to spend more time on their stomach when they are awake.
- Do not wash your baby’s hair every day, you only need to suds up your baby’s scalp 2 to 3 times a week. Gently shampoo your baby’s scalp during bathing, use shampoos specially produced for babies.
- Use a soft-bristled brush or wide-tooth comb that won’t snag or pull on your baby’s hair. Avoid excessive brushing.
- Avoid tight hairstyles, use soft hair bands or barrettes that will not pull or break your baby’s hair.
When to see a doctor?
Babies’ hair should start to grow again after about 6 months of age. If your baby is still losing a lot of hair after this period or if there are rashes or excessive flaking on the scalp, a doctor should be consulted.
Resources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015). Hair Loss (Alopecia). https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/skin/Pages/Hair-Loss-Alopecia.aspx
- Castelo-Soccio L. (2016). Diagnosis and management of hair loss in children. Current opinion in pediatrics, 28(4), 483–489. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000376
- Kim, M. S., Na, C. H., Choi, H., & Shin, B. S. (2011). Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal occipital alopecia: a retrospective study. Annals of dermatology, 23(3), 288–292. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2011.23.3.288
- American Hair Loss Association (2022). Children’s hair loss. https://www.americanhairloss.org/children_hair_loss/index.html
