You’re staring at your newborn. They might have a thick, dark mane that looks like a tiny toupee, or they might be completely, adorably bald. It’s one of those things that keeps parents up at night—well, besides the crying and the feedings. You start wondering if that peach fuzz is permanent or if they’ll ever need a haircut. Honestly, the timeline of when does baby's hair start growing is way more complex than just "it happens at birth."
It actually starts in the womb.
By week 14 or 15 of pregnancy, tiny hair follicles are already forming on your baby's scalp. It's wild to think about, but by the time they hit week 20, they’ve often got a fine layer of hair called lanugo covering their entire body. This isn't the "real" hair you're thinking of. It’s a soft, downy coating that helps keep them warm and holds the vernix—that waxy white stuff—on their skin. Most babies shed this before they even make their grand entrance into the world, though some preemies keep it for a few weeks.
The Great Hair Reset
Don’t get too attached to that first head of hair. Seriously.
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Many parents freak out when their baby starts losing hair around month three or four. There’s actually a medical term for this: telogen effluvium. Basically, the hormones that were keeping the hair in a "growth phase" while the baby was inside you suddenly drop off after birth. This pushes the hair into a "resting phase." Then, it falls out. It can happen all at once, leaving them with a "Friar Tuck" look, or it can happen in patches.
I’ve seen parents convinced their baby has a scalp condition because of a massive bald spot on the back of the head. Usually, it’s just a combination of that hormonal shift and the fact that babies spend a lot of time on their backs. Constant rubbing against a crib mattress acts like fine sandpaper on delicate infant hair.
The real, permanent hair—the stuff that will actually stay—usually starts its true growth cycle between 6 months and a year. But even then, there is no "normal." My neighbor’s kid didn't have enough hair for a ponytail until she was nearly three. Meanwhile, some babies are born looking like they’re ready for a 1970s rock band.
Genetics: The Real Boss
You can buy all the organic coconut oil in the world, but you can't fight DNA. Genetics are the primary driver of when does baby's hair start growing and what it looks like when it finally arrives.
If you and your partner were bald as eggs until toddlerhood, don’t expect your kid to have a flowing mane by six months. It’s not just about the timing, either. The color and texture you see at birth are often total lies. It’s common for a baby born with pitch-black hair to end up a tow-headed toddler. Why? Because melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) are still maturing. That "permanent" color often doesn't settle in until the child is closer to school age.
Why Texture Changes So Much
Ever notice how some babies have crazy, flyaway curls that eventually turn bone-straight? Or vice versa?
Hair follicles change shape as a child grows. A circular follicle produces straight hair, while an oval or flattened one produces curls or waves. During the first two years of life, the size and shape of these follicles are in flux. This is why the "baby hair" phase is so unpredictable. Dr. Bud Zukow, a pediatrician and author, often notes that the hair a baby is born with is essentially a placeholder. It’s thin, lacks a medulla (the central core of the hair shaft), and is easily replaced by "terminal hair" which is thicker and more pigmented.
Nutrition and Scalp Health
While you can't force hair to grow faster than the biological clock allows, you can definitely mess it up if you aren't careful.
Cradle cap is the big one. It’s that crusty, oily yellow scaling that looks like bad dandruff. Doctors call it seborrheic dermatitis. It’s not caused by poor hygiene—so don't feel guilty. It’s likely due to those same lingering maternal hormones causing the oil glands to go into overdrive. If the crust gets too thick, it can actually inhibit new hair from poking through comfortably.
Soft brushing helps. I’m talking really soft.
Don't go scrubbing the scalp like you’re trying to clean a grout line. A gentle massage with a soft-bristled brush or a silicone scrubber can stimulate blood flow to the follicles. Some parents swear by oils, but honestly, unless the scalp is visibly dry or crusty, the natural oils do a pretty good job on their own.
The Myths That Won't Die
We have to talk about the "shaving the head" thing.
In many cultures, it’s tradition to shave a baby’s head to encourage thicker hair growth. Science says: no. It doesn't work that way. Hair grows from a follicle deep under the skin. Shaving the hair at the surface has zero impact on the follicle's internal programming. It might look thicker when it grows back because the ends are blunt rather than tapered, but the actual count of hair strands remains exactly the same.
Also, the "old wives' tale" about heartburn during pregnancy meaning a hairy baby? Surprisingly, there might be a grain of truth there. A small study from Johns Hopkins University back in 2006 found a correlation between the severity of heartburn and the amount of hair a newborn had. The researchers suggested that the same hormones that relax the esophageal sphincter (causing heartburn) might also be linked to fetal hair growth. It’s one of the few myths that actually has some data backing it up.
When to Actually Worry
Most of the time, hair growth (or lack thereof) is just a waiting game. But there are a few red flags.
If your baby is over 18 months and still has zero hair—not even peach fuzz—it’s worth a chat with the pediatrician. Conditions like alopecia areata can occasionally show up in infants, though it’s rare. Also, if the hair loss is accompanied by extreme redness, pus, or if the baby seems distressed when the scalp is touched, that could be a fungal infection like tinea capitis (ringworm).
Check for "hair tourniquets" too. Sometimes a stray strand of the parent's long hair can wrap around a baby's toe, finger, or... other parts. It can cut off circulation. If your baby is crying inconsolably and you’re checking their hair, check their toes too.
Actionable Steps for Parents
Stop comparing your baby to the ones on Instagram. Filters and lighting make hair look thicker than it is. If you're stressed about when does baby's hair start growing, take these steps instead of buying "miracle" hair growth serums:
- Focus on iron and protein. Once your baby starts solids (usually around 6 months), ensure they're getting hair-friendly nutrients like iron, zinc, and biotin. Pureed meats, beans, and leafy greens are great.
- Use a silk or satin crib sheet. If your baby is losing hair on the back of their head, reducing friction can help preserve the strands they do have.
- Skip the harsh shampoos. Newborns only need their hair washed once or twice a week. Over-washing strips the natural oils and can lead to a dry, flaky scalp that hinders growth.
- Practice "Tummy Time." This isn't just for neck muscles. Getting them off the back of their head reduces the physical wear and tear on their hair follicles.
- Document the changes. Take a photo every month. You’ll be surprised to see that even when you think nothing is happening, the "peach fuzz" is slowly transforming into real hair.
The transition from "bald baby" to "toddler with a haircut" happens in fits and starts. One day they look like a tiny old man, and the next, they have a random sprout of hair right at the crown. Embrace the awkward phases. The mullet phase, the mohawk phase, and the "static electricity" phase are all part of the ride. By age two, most children will have a fairly established hair pattern, though it can continue to thicken and change well into puberty. Just be patient and keep the camera ready.
Next Steps for Healthy Infant Hair:
Monitor your baby’s scalp for signs of cradle cap and use a soft silicone brush during bath time to gently exfoliate. Ensure your baby is hitting their developmental milestones for nutrition, as hair growth is a secondary biological function that thrives when the rest of the body is well-nourished.