One newborn needs a brush for their first photo. Another has just enough peach fuzz to catch the light. Why are some babies born with hair while others have barely a strand? Genetics, hormone levels during pregnancy, and how far along the pregnancy was at birth can all play a part. A full head of hair and a nearly bare scalp are both common in healthy newborns.
Even a thick head of newborn hair can thin out in the first few months. We’ll explore why that happens, which pregnancy hair myths have some truth behind them, and how to care for your baby’s delicate scalp. If you’re already spotting tiny hairs on the crib sheet and wondering when they’ll grow back, take a look at our guide to infant hair growth and regrowth.
Key Takeaways
- Genetics matters most: How much hair a newborn has depends mainly on genes inherited from both parents, so siblings can look very different at birth.
- Pregnancy hormones extend growth: High hormone levels in the womb keep hair in its growth phase longer, which can give some babies fuller, longer hair at delivery.
- Lanugo is normal: The fine body hair called lanugo usually sheds before birth, so babies born early often have more of it, and it rubs off within a few weeks.
- Hair loss after birth is expected: Most newborns shed much of their hair in the first six months as hormone levels drop, and new hair usually grows back by the first birthday.
- Color and texture can change: The hair your baby is born with may grow back lighter, darker, curlier or straighter.
- Bald babies are just as healthy: The amount of hair at birth is not linked to health, intelligence or development.
- Watch for hair tourniquets: Check fingers and toes regularly, because a single strand of hair can wrap tightly and cut off blood flow.
- Gentle care is enough: A mild baby wash two or three times a week, a soft brush and a breathable hat are all most newborns need.
Why Are Some Babies Born With Hair? The Main Causes
Hair follicles begin forming early in pregnancy, and by the second trimester your baby already has the follicles they will keep for life. Whether those follicles produce visible hair before birth depends on several factors working together.
Genetics Plays the Biggest Role
The strongest predictor of newborn hair is family history. If one or both parents were born with a lot of hair, there is a good chance their baby will be too. Genes control how many follicles are active, how thick each hair strand is, and how quickly hair grows in the womb. Ethnic background also matters, since some populations tend to have babies with more scalp hair at birth. Siblings can still look very different, because each child inherits a different combination of genes from both parents.
Pregnancy Hormones Keep Hair Growing
During pregnancy, high levels of hormones circulate through both the mother and the baby. These hormones can keep the baby’s hair follicles in the growth phase, known as the anagen phase, for longer. That is the same reason many pregnant women notice their own hair feels thicker. Babies who are exposed to higher hormone levels in the womb may be born with longer or fuller hair, although the exact amount varies widely.
Gestational Age and Lanugo
Around the middle of pregnancy, babies grow a layer of very fine, soft body hair called lanugo. It helps hold a protective coating called vernix in place on the skin. Most babies shed lanugo in the womb during the last weeks of pregnancy, usually between about 32 and 36 weeks. Babies born early often still have lanugo on their shoulders, back, ears and forehead. This is completely normal and usually rubs off within a few weeks after birth. If your baby was born early, our premature baby milestones chart explains how adjusted age affects growth and development.
Lanugo vs. Scalp Hair
Lanugo and scalp hair are different. Lanugo is thin, light and short, and it covers the body. Scalp hair, sometimes called terminal or vellus hair depending on its thickness, grows on the head and can be dark and noticeably long at birth. A baby can have plenty of one and very little of the other.
Does Heartburn During Pregnancy Mean a Hairy Baby?
This is one of the most popular pregnancy myths, and it turns out to have a little truth behind it. A small study from Johns Hopkins University found that women who reported moderate to severe heartburn during pregnancy were more likely to have babies with average or above-average amounts of hair. Researchers think the link may be pregnancy hormones, which both relax the muscle at the top of the stomach and influence fetal hair growth.
That said, many women with strong heartburn have bald babies, and many with no heartburn at all have babies with full heads of hair. Heartburn is not a reliable way to predict your baby’s hair, and it is not something to worry about either way.
Why Newborn Hair Falls Out
Many parents are surprised when their baby’s hair starts to thin or fall out a few weeks after birth. This is expected and almost always temporary.
The Postpartum Hormone Drop
After delivery, the hormones that kept hair in the growth phase drop quickly. As a result, many hair follicles move into the resting phase, called the telogen phase, and the hair eventually sheds. Most of this shedding happens between birth and about six months. New hair grows back in its place, often by the first birthday.
Friction Bald Spots
Babies spend a lot of time lying on their backs, which is the safest sleep position. Rubbing against the crib mattress, car seat or play mat can wear away hair on the back of the head and leave a bald patch. This patch fills in once your baby starts sitting up and spends less time on their back. Tummy time while awake helps reduce pressure on that spot.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap, or seborrheic dermatitis, causes yellow or white scaly patches on the scalp. It is harmless and does not cause permanent hair loss, though some hairs may come away when the flakes loosen. Gentle washing and soft brushing usually clear it up.
Will My Baby’s Hair Color and Texture Change?
Very often, yes. The hair a baby is born with can be a different color and texture from the hair that grows in later. Pigment production increases over the first few years, so blond newborns may become brunette toddlers, and dark-haired newborns may grow in lighter hair. Straight hair can turn curly and the other way around. Most children settle into their long-term hair color and texture between ages two and five. You can follow how hair changes month by month in our guide to infant hair growth stages and regrowth.
What a Bald Baby Means
A baby born with little or no hair is just as healthy as one born with lots of hair. Hair at birth is not linked to intelligence, development or overall health. Some bald babies grow hair quickly in the first few months, while others stay fairly bald until after their first birthday. Both patterns are normal. If you are tracking your baby’s progress, our baby monthly milestones guide is a better measure of healthy growth than hair.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Newborn hair is rarely a medical concern, but you should mention it to your pediatrician in a few situations:
- Patchy hair loss: Hair loss in patches with redness, scaling or oozing that does not improve, which may point to a skin infection or another scalp condition.
- Unusual body hair: Long, dark body hair that keeps growing instead of shedding after the first months, which in rare cases can be linked to hormonal or genetic conditions.
- Late regrowth: No hair regrowth at all by around age two, combined with other symptoms such as poor growth or unusual skin, nails or teeth.
- Hair tourniquet: A strand of hair wrapped tightly around a finger, toe or other body part, which can cut off blood flow and needs attention right away.
Hair tourniquets are more common than many parents realize, especially during the months when parents are shedding hair after pregnancy. Check your baby’s fingers and toes regularly, and turn socks, mittens and booties inside out before use.
How to Care for Your Newborn’s Hair
Newborn hair and skin are delicate, so simple routines work best. Whether your baby has a full head of hair or just a little fuzz, these steps keep the scalp healthy and comfortable.
Wash Gently and Not Too Often
Two or three baths a week are enough for most newborns. Use a small amount of mild, fragrance-free baby wash, and support your baby’s head while you rinse with lukewarm water. Pat the scalp dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing.
Use a Soft Brush
A baby brush with soft natural bristles or a fine comb with rounded teeth can loosen cradle cap flakes and keep longer hair tidy. Brush slowly in one direction and avoid pulling on tangles.
Skip Tight Hair Accessories
Avoid tight elastics, clips and small hair accessories that could be a choking hazard or pull on fragile hair. If you love a finishing touch for photos, choose soft, stretchy bow headbands and remove them before naps and nighttime sleep.
Protect the Scalp From Sun and Cold
Babies with little hair lose heat quickly through their heads and can get sunburned easily. A breathable cotton or bamboo hat keeps the scalp comfortable in cool weather, and a brimmed hat helps when outdoors. Remove hats when your baby sleeps indoors to avoid overheating.
Choosing Breathable Fabrics
Fabric touches your baby’s head and skin all day, so material matters. Bamboo viscose and organic cotton feel soft, let air move through and help manage moisture, which can reduce scalp irritation. Swaddle AN swaddle blankets are made from silky bamboo fabric that stays gentle against newborn skin from the very first day.
Every Baby’s Hair Story Is Different
So, why are some babies born with hair? Mostly because of their genes, the hormones they were exposed to in the womb, and how close to their due date they were born. A full head of hair, a soft layer of fuzz, or a smooth bald head are all signs of a normal, healthy newborn. Expect some shedding in the first six months, look out for hair tourniquets, and keep scalp care simple and gentle.
Whatever your baby’s hair looks like today, a soft and breathable hat helps keep their little head warm and protected. Explore Swaddle AN baby hats, made from gentle bamboo fabric and available with personalized names, so your little one looks sweet and stays comfortable, hair or no hair.
