Hair. Thank goodness we have it. It performs all sorts of tasks, from keeping us warm to helping with sweat management. So when do babies grow hair and begin their lifelong journey with the fuzz from their follicles?
While no two heads of hair are alike, here is a rough timeline of what you might expect from those tiny tresses.
Baby hair growth month by month
Chapter one of the hair story happens earlier than you might expect. Yep, we’re heading all the way back to in-utero days.
When do babies grow hair in womb?
Your baby’s hair follicles can develop as early as week nine of pregnancy. From these mini-organs, your baby’s hair will sprout—usually sometime in the first trimester.
Some babies will develop a thick coiffe, while others will sport a thin layer of fuzz. Everyone’s got their unique style.
And it’s not only the hair on their heads that grows in the womb. Fine body hair called lanugo develops at about week 22.
This will be shed either in the womb or shortly after birth and will be replaced by vellus hair–aka the little hairs that cover your entire body.
Do all babies lose newborn hair?
And then, just like that, the hair that entered the world on your baby’s head falls out.
Yep, we hate to be the bearer of bad news here, but that newborn mane might not be around for too long.
In a few weeks, your baby can go from a full head of hair to no hair at all.
As this study explores, there are two types of newborn hair loss.
The first, happening in the first four weeks of life, is called the “neonatal type”.
The second, known as the “classic type,” is more common and happens when your baby is between two and three months old.
Most newborns will shed either some or all of their womb wig. This is a normal process.
During labor and birth, you and your baby go through some major hormonal shifts as you both prepare for their life outside the womb.
In fact, you might experience some hair changes yourself. If you notice some excess shedding, it could result from the drops in estrogen that you experience after you give birth.
But there’s hope for mama and baby alike. Those manes are making a comeback.
How long do babies stay bald?
Your baby’s newborn hair should stop falling out after they reach about six months and grow back somewhere between the three and seven-month mark.
For some babies, their new hair comes in as their old hair makes its exit, meaning you may not even notice the switch over.
Others prefer to sport the bald look for a while before moving on to the new them.
The process of newborn hair growth goes through a resting phase and a growth phase.
During the first few months of your baby’s life, a whole lot is happening with their little bodies and brains, and growing hair on their heads is near the bottom of their to-do list.
Once they clear their schedule, they’ll be all over the hair growing. Just you wait.
Why does my 1 year old have no hair?
Your baby may not have a thicker head of hair until they’re about two years old.
So if their hair is taking its time, it’s usually nothing to worry about.
There are so many factors at play when it comes to your baby’s hair growth, from genetics to ethnicity to environmental factors.
But there are some conditions that can get in the way of hair growth:
- Ringworm. If baby has ringworm, you might notice some scaly patches on the scalp.
- Alopecia areata. This is an autoimmune disorder that causes patches of hair to fall out.
- Mechanical alopecia. If you notice your child tugging, plucking, or twisting their hair a lot, it may come out in patches. This can result from some sort of stress in their lives.
If you are at all concerned, it’s worth checking in with your doctor. But in most cases, the cycle of hair loss and growth is totally normal—even if it takes a little longer to complete.
And as for whose hair–yours or your partner’s–your baby is going to emulate?
Unfortunately, the genetics of hair color and texture is still a bit of a mystery, and it’s impossible to predict what your baby’s hair will look like as they grow up.
You’ll probably just have to wait until they’re older for the big reveal!
👶 More baby milestones:
Your Guide to Baby’s First Haircut
Baby Growth Spurts: What are the Milestones?
When Do Babies Start Talking?
When Do Babies Walk? The Timeline for Toddling
When Do Babies See Color?
When Do Babies Start Smiling?
When Do Babies Sit Up?
When Do Babies Start Teething?
When Do Babies Stop Spitting Up?
What Are the Different Stages of Crawling?
When Do Babies Start Cooing?
When Do Babies Get Kneecaps?
When Do Babies Clap?
When Can Babies Eat Baby Food?
When Do Babies Start Dreaming?
When Do Babies Make Eye Contact?
When Do Babies Start Laughing?
Your Guide to Baby’s First Bath