Almost all newborns lose some or most of their hair. This is very normal and should be expected.  The baby hair usually falls out before the mature hair comes in.  Hair  loss within the first 6 months of life is no cause for concern.
 

 

What are some of the causes of hair loss in babies ?

There are many reasons that a baby experiences  hair loss but some of the common causes include the following :

• physical damage from braids that are too tight or pulling your child’s hair too tight when combing.
• kids twirling or innocently pulling their hair for comfort. This is common in children younger than 3 years and indicate emotional stress. You need to discuss it with your pediatrician.
• ringworn can  also cause hair loss. Look out for patchy bald spots with red, flaky scaling
• Alopecia areata is a condition in which the immune system attacks hair follicles and as a result slows down hair growth. This condition causes hair loss  in a circular area causing bold spots.
• the way a baby sleeps can  also cause hair loss. It is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics that babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome SIDS.
• medical conditions such as hypothyroidism  or hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss in babies

What should i do about my baby’s hair loss ?

 
There is nothing you can do about newborn hair loss unless it is related to hormones.

If hair loss is related to the position the baby sleeps, try to alternate the baby’s sleeping positions during naps and at night. If you put your baby to sleep at one end of the crib , trying putting him to sleep at the other end every other night to to take advantage of her  natural tendency to face a specific side of the crib.

Let your child have some tummy time. This should give the back of his hair some break.

If your baby has enough hair to fit into a ponytail holder, do not use ponytail holders too tightly.

If hair loss occurs after 6 months, mention it to your pediatrician to make sure there is no underlying medical condition.
 
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