Why is My Baby Balding?
Don?t panic if you start to notice your baby losing hair ? newborn hair loss is quite common and can happen for a variety of reasons. Your baby?s hair loss may be due to a change in hormones, which is completely normal in the first 6 months.
Hair goes through a growth phase and a resting phase, but after childbirth, hormone levels drop (for both mum and bub), pushing large numbers of hair follicles into the resting phase and causing many strands of hair to fall out at once.
This process of hair shedding, called telogen effluvium, is thankfully only temporary and is usually quickly followed by new hair growth. Less common conditions, such as cradle cap, alopecia or hypothyroidism could also be the cause of your baby?s hair falling out, so speak to your doctor if you?re concerned.
The most common cause of baby bald spots and newborn hair loss however is friction.
Child health organisations around the world, including Red Nose Australia, recommend that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Seeing as babies spend so much time on their backs, usually wriggling around and rubbing the backs of their heads against their mattresses, it?s little wonder that so many of them develop bald patches.
While friction induced hair loss is quite common and does not harm your baby, there are a few things you can do to protect their locks and prevent those unsightly baby bald spots at the back of their head.
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1. Have Your Baby Sleep on Silk Bedding to Reduce Friction
Immediately put a stop to baby hair falling out by making sure your bub is sleeping on quality silk baby bedding. Cotton, bamboo, and other fabrics can tug and pull on their delicate hair, causing it to be knotted and pulled out, and resulting in a baby bald spot on the back of their head. The long strands and tightly woven nature of premium silk create a liquid smooth surface that allows your babe?s hair to glide effortlessly and unharmed.
You may be tempted to use a cheaper alternative such as satin, but while satin is smooth to the touch, this synthetic fabric is inferior to pure silk in many ways. Premium Mulberry silk is not only soft and smooth, it is also hypoallergenic, naturally hydrating, moisture wicking, dust-mite resistant, thermal regulating, and antimicrobial, making it the ideal fabric for bubs and their sensitive skin. Learn more about silk?s benefits and why your baby should be sleeping on silk.
2. Adjust the Position of Your Baby’s Head in their Sleep
As well as having your baby sleep on silk, you can also help to prevent newborn hair loss by slightly adjusting your baby?s head during their sleep. By adjusting their head, even incrementally, you?re ensuring that there isn?t too much pressure and friction on one particular spot on your baby?s head. This helps to prevent not only bald patches, but also flat spots while their skull is still developing.
3. Alternate the End of the Cot That Your Baby Sleeps On
If your baby tends to face a specific side while in their cot, try alternating which end of the cot you place their head when laying them down. Many bubs like to look out into the room to see all the action, so switching up their crib positioning reduces the amount of time they spend lying on one particular side. Likewise, when sitting in a car seat, some babies enjoy looking out the window, so if you notice that your bub has a preferred side, try laying them down in their cot in a way that makes them turn their head to the opposite side.
4. Reduce the Amount of Time Your Baby Spends On Their Back
Once your baby can hold their head up, you?ll be able to keep them off their back for much of the day, spending more time on their tummy or in a baby carrier. Minimizing the amount of time that bub lies on their back will not only prevent hair loss, but is also essential to their overall healthy development.
5. Increase Circulation to Your Baby’s Scalp and Hair Follicles
To promote blood flow to your baby?s hair follicles and stimulate hair growth, you can increase circulation in their scalp by applying some extra-virgin coconut oil to their scalp 2 ? 3 times a week. Allow the oil to absorb for 15 ? 20 minutes, then gently rinse it out with some warm water and lightly pat baby?s hair dry with a soft towel.
As an added bonus, coconut oil also moisturizes their skin and adds luster and shine to their hair.
Another way to encourage circulation to the hair follicles is to gently comb or brush bub?s scalp. Take care not to overbrush, as this can actually cause hair breakage, and use products designed especially for baby?s delicate skin – baby brushes with super soft bristles and baby combs with soft, rounded teeth.
More About Sleepy Silk
Sleepy Silk is a family business based in Melbourne, but sends its products all over the world! Their luxe products are made from pure 100% Mulberry silk, at the highest grade of 6A.
Most other silk brands on the market offer a density and weight of 19 ? 22 momme, but they only use 25 momme silk so that each piece is of the most superior quality and durability for your precious bub!
Their products have been independently tested and certified under OEKO-TEX? Standard 100 to be non-toxic and free from harmful dyes and chemicals, so are pure and gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin.
With hundreds of 5-star reviews and a 50 Night Guarantee, experience these amazing results for yourself today!
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