New parents may be worried if their little bundle of joy is experiencing baby hair loss. However, this may just be a normal part of growing. Babies tend to lose their hair especially for the first three months. This baby hair loss is also referred to as telogen effluvium. Parents should understand that their baby’s hair goes through the growth stage but it may also have a resting stage. Although normally, the growth stage would lasts up to three months. At the resting stage, baby hair is expected to stay in the follicle up to the time that there would be a new hair growing.
Although only about 5-15% of the baby hair would undergo the resting stage, there are conditions that can cause it to stop growing. Babies at times experience fever, stress or even hormonal changes which could contribute to baby hair loss. Parents do not have to be alarmed as the hair is removed from the follicle when the next set of new hair starts to grow eventually after a few months. Parents also have to take note that their baby’s hormone levels may decrease after being born. When this happens, they may expect their baby to lose his or her hair. Parents may at times observe that the new hair growth would bring about a different texture and color as well.
Parents who see some patches on the head as a result of baby hair loss should try to vary their baby’s position when he or she is sitting or sleeping. Their baby might be staying in one position for a very long time and parts of the head may rub against the mattress which can cause the bald spot. Some other baby hair loss condition may also be observed like the bald spots with some red and flaky scaling. Parents may need to bring their baby to their doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. Their baby might be suffering from some fungal infection that can be contagious.
Parents should also be careful about ponytails for babies as it can also contribute to baby hair loss. Traction alopecia may occur especially when the ponytail on the baby hair is too tight and this may also cause some damage. Parents need to be observant as their babies may also be pulling or twirling their baby hair compulsively. These irregular patches are also referred to trichotillomania. At times baby hair loss may also be known as alopecia areata when the baby has some smooth and round totally bald areas. The baby’s immune system may be attacking the hair follicles which inhibit the normal growth of hair.
Parents should also be aware if the baby hair loss is caused by some medical conditions like some thyroid disorders or from problems with the pituitary gland. Parent will have to bring the baby to the doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment if necessary. Although baby hair loss may just be a normal occurrence for babies, certain conditions may be caused by some other problems.
