how to stimulate baby hair growth? Your baby’s Hair Growth will likely begin to appear around the six-month mark. However, your little one may grow their childhood hair as early as three months or as late as 18 months. Every child is different. The first sign of a child’s permanent hair comes in the form of a hair shaft under the skin, called vellus hair. It’s considered healthy and normal for children to grow their big-kid hair any time before two years of age.
Your little one’s first hair—what we call baby hair—will probably appear as soon as three months, even as soon as in the first few days. But on average, your baby will get their big-kid hair at about six months—and possibly as late as 18 months. Every child is different.
You can expect your baby’s permanent hair to start growing around the six-month mark. That said, every baby is different, so his or her first hair may appear as early as three months or as late as 18 months.
One of the joys of pregnancy is imagining how your newborn will look. What color eyes will they have? Will they have black, blond, brown, or red hair? In your mind’s eye, you might even picture your baby with a full head of hair.
Babies’ Hair Growth Slow
Babies have the simplest explanation for what causes babies’ hair to grow slow: They’re just a lot more sensitive than adults. Since newborns experience high hormone levels during their time in the womb, their hair growth is naturally accelerated. But once they’re born, hormone levels drop at a fast pace. As a result, your baby’s hair growth slows down.
Babies have a lot of hair when they first come out, but it can be hard to tell that your baby is actually growing her hair. That’s because newborns grow hair slowly and hair seems to grow in spurts, according to Awesome Hair. The hormones that are present during pregnancy create rapid growth. After birth, hormone levels decrease quickly and hair growth slows down.
Babies are born with plenty of hair, but it doesn’t last long. From the womb, these little ones go from having hair covering their entire head to less than a handful by about 6 months old. While hormones play a factor—high levels in utero accelerate growth—the majority of hair fall out happens from mechanical stress.
When it comes to a newborn’s hair, though, each baby is different. Some are born with thick locks, while others are as bald as a bowling ball.
No worries — this is completely normal. But if you’re looking for ways to speed hair growth, here are some simple tricks that may stimulate growth.
Why Are Some Children Born With Baby Hair?
There are a few reasons why some babies are born with hair while others are not. The first cause is genetics. Your and your partner’s DNA is the number one factor in determining your baby’s hair — the color, style, and, of course, whether or not your little one had hair at birth.
A second reason why some babies have hair at birth is exposure to a high level of hormones. While all women experience a boost in hormones during pregnancy, some women’s hormone levels are comparatively higher than others. This causes an increase in the amount of hormones a baby is exposed to in the womb and can lead to a child being born with hair.
Ultimately, the most important thing to know about baby hair is that pretty much everything is normal. Bald babies and hairy babies alike, as well as everything in between, are considered typical and healthy.
Why Do Babies Lose Their Hair?
It’s perfectly normal for your baby to lose the hair they had when they came out into the world — be it a little or a lot — several weeks or months after birth. In fact, most infants will go through a stage of hair loss. It’s nothing to be concerned about.
So why does this loss of baby hair take place? Well, to begin with, all babies grow a thin layer of hair while in the womb. This wispy layer of baby hair is called lanugo and appears all over a baby’s body. The purpose of lanugo is to protect your little one’s delicate skin from the amniotic fluid in which they are submerged while in utero.
Most of the time, a baby will shed their lanugo while in the womb. Lanugo appears sometime around the 16th week of gestation and ordinarily falls off between weeks 32 and 36. However, this is not always the case. Some babies are born with lanugo all over their body. While this is slightly uncommon, it is not a health concern.
After your baby was born, they stopped receiving hormones from your body. This led to a dramatic decrease in their hormone levels, which in turn causes their baby hair to fall out. This means all of your baby’s hair — whether it’s the hair on their head or the lanugo on their body — will fall out in the first four to six months of life.
Another factor that plays a role in your baby’s hair loss is the fact that they spend so much time on their backs. Your little one is on their back for at least the 14 to 16 hours they spend sleeping every day. (It’s extremely important for your child’s safety to always put your baby down to sleep on their back. Never mind the bald spots!)
If bald spots appear on the back of your little one’s head, it’s nothing to worry about. These are a normal effect from your baby spending so much time with the back of their head against various surfaces. Try to give your little one plenty of tummy time, and hold your baby in a carrier whenever possible.
When Will Your Baby’s Permanent Hair Begin To Grow?
After your baby has gone through the initial period of hair loss, a new type of hair will grow in. Once all the lanugo has fallen off, your baby will grow a thin, light-colored layer of hair on their body called vellus hair. They will also grow a new head of hair, which they will likely keep throughout childhood.
Your baby’s permanent hair will likely begin to appear around the six-month mark. However, your little one may grow their childhood hair as early as three months or as late as 18 months. Every child is different. It’s considered healthy and normal for babies to grow their big-kid hair any time before two years of age.
Why Is Your Baby’s Hair Changing Color?
It’s very common for a baby’s hair to change in color, thickness, and style as they grow through the first year or two of life. Sometimes, these changes continue all the way through childhood and even adolescence.
You’re probably familiar with this phenomenon. Some babies are born with beautiful curly locks only to have their hair straighten out as they grow a little older. Others are blonde in their early years but turn brunette with time. All of this is perfectly normal.
So why do these changes in baby hair occur? The primary cause, like much of what goes on with your little one’s physical appearance, is genetics. A second prominent cause is hormones.
Remember how much your hormones affected your appearance when you were a teenager? The same sort of thing is happening with your baby. Your little one is developing and balancing their own hormones, which can cause their hair to change.
What’s The Best Way To Wash Your Baby’s Hair?
Washing your baby’s hair is more or less the same as washing your own, with a few small differences. Follow these six steps when washing your little one’s hair and scalp.
1) Prepare A Bath
First things first, you’ll need to prepare a warm bath of approximately 98 degrees Fahrenheit (give or take a few degrees). The temperature can be measured with a thermometer, or you can test the temperature yourself by dipping your wrist in the water.
How full should the baby bath be? It depends on how old your baby is. Tiny newborns, for example, don’t need more than two or three inches of water.
In addition to running the bath, make sure that you bring all of the bathing supplies that you’ll need before putting your baby in the water. Think baby shampoo, cleansing gel, a washcloth, a bath towel, a small cup for rinsing, and anything else you typically use.
Gathering these supplies ahead of time is essential since you should never leave your little one alone in the water. If you did forget something or the doorbell rings, wrap them in a towel and bring them with you.
2) Support Your Baby’s Head And Neck
Put your naked baby in the bath and hold your hand firmly behind your baby’s head to support their head and neck.
3) Wet Their Hair And Scalp
Before applying baby shampoo, wet your baby’s hair and scalp. Using a small cup, gently pour water over their head. Shield your little one’s eyes to avoid them getting an unpleasant faceful of water!
4) Lather Up
Now, you’ll lather their scalp (hair or no hair!) with a gentle baby shampoo. The key is to use a shampoo that won’t irritate your baby’s skin and will deliver skin-soothing nutrients instead.
We recommend Mustela’s Gentle Shampoo, Foam Shampoo For Newborns, or Stelatopia Foam Shampoo.
Gentle Shampoo
A tear-free formula, Gentle Shampoo cleans without stripping your baby’s skin of its natural oils.
And it’s composed of 93% plant-based ingredients like chamomile extract to soften and detangle and avocado perseose, a patented natural ingredient specifically designed to help protect and hydrate your little one’s scalp.
Foam Shampoo For Newborns
Meanwhile, Foam Shampoo For Newborns is — you guessed it! — designed specifically for newborns. This fragrance-free shampoo is made of 99% naturally-derived ingredients and, like all Mustela products, is free of parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol.
Plus, this baby shampoo is designed to minimize cradle cap flakes. More on that later.
Stelatopia Foam Shampoo
For babies with eczema-prone skin, go with Stelatopia Foam Shampoo, which is part of our Eczema Care line and is made to soothe, moisturize, protect, and strengthen your baby’s skin.
It’s fragrance-free, pH-balanced, recognized by the National Eczema Association, and clinically tested on eczema-prone skin under pediatric and dermatological control.
Assuming that you’re giving your baby a full bath rather than only washing their hair, you’ll also wash their body with a cleanser like Mustela’s Gentle Cleansing Gel.
5) Rinse
Now, all that’s left is to wash the shampoo away! Carefully rinse the shampoo from your baby’s head with your hand or a small cup.
Don’t forget that even with newborns who aren’t interested in playing in the bathtub, bathtime is a great time to bond with your little one, narrate what you’re doing, and generally enjoy time with them.
6) Dry Your Baby
Last but not least, dry your baby’s hair as soon as you’re finished washing it. Take your wet, slippery little one out of the tub and wrap them in a warm towel. To avoid irritating sensitive or eczema-prone skin, pat their skin dry instead of rubbing.
This is also a perfect time to apply baby lotion or give your little one a baby massage. Use Mustela’s Stelatopia Emollient Cream for eczema-prone skin or Hydra Bebe Body Lotion for normal skin.
Hydra Bebe Body Lotion is non-greasy yet provides immediate as well as long-lasting moisture with jojoba oil, sunflower oil, and Vitamins E and F.
Or, if you are looking for an EWG Verified, organic option, look no further than our Certified Organic Hydrating Cream with Olive Oil and Aloe, which is ideal for the whole family from little ones to adults.
This product is designed to be good for the earth, too. Environmentally conscious inside and out, the packaging is made from sustainably sourced sugar cane, and we’ve done away with secondary cartons.
That’s all there is to it! Washing baby hair isn’t too tough of a task. Here are a few additional tips to know:
- Shampooing your little one’s head is necessary even if they do not have any baby hair.
- You only need to wash your baby’s hair two or three times per week. Shampooing doesn’t need to be part of your baby’s daily hygiene routine.
- Always be extremely gentle when lathering shampoo on your baby’s head. This is especially important if your little one has a cradle cap or eczema.
- Make sure to dress your little one warmly after their bath.
- If your baby’s hair is long enough, give it a quick comb or brush after the bath. (Expert tip.
- Use our Hair Styler & Skin Freshener to easily style your little one’s hair in-between baths.
Follow the steps and tips above to keep your baby’s hair and scalp healthy.
What Is Cradle Cap?
We mentioned the need to be gentle when shampooing your baby’s head, especially if they have a condition like cradle cap. Before we move on, we’d like to go over the basics of cradle cap since it’s a common condition.
And, since it can look a bit like baby dandruff, it may be one of the baby hair care concerns that you have.
First of all, sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference between dry scalp and cradle cap. If you’re not sure exactly which one is plaguing your baby’s skin, read our article here. For now, we’ll focus on cradle cap.
Seborrheic dermatitis is the scientific name for cradle cap and, simply put, it shows up as patches of irritated, oily, red, or yellow skin. These areas of skin can be discoloured and scaly or crusty. While there are varying degrees of cradle cap, sometimes it looks like baby dandruff.
This sounds unpleasant, but don’t be alarmed! It’s harmless, not contagious, and absolutely no reflection on you as a parent and your baby’s hygiene. And, it typically goes away by the time your baby turns one.
The names “cradle cap” and “dandruff” would indicate that this condition strikes on your baby’s scalp, leaving flakes in their hair. This is true, and it’s the primary area where cradle cap rears its head. But you may also see this flaky-skin condition on other parts of your baby’s body.
Not much is known about what causes cradle cap. It’s still a bit of a mystery. But there are still several steps you can take to help to prevent and treat this condition.
Preventing, Treating, And Caring For Cradle Cap
First of all, it’s important to help their skin stay as moisturized as possible. To help curb cradle cap, don’t bathe your baby too often (no more than once a day tops) and keep baths short to avoid drying out your baby’s skin.
Side note: If you’re not sure how to go about bathing your delicate newborn, read about it here.
Another way to care for cradle cap skin? Opt for products that are designed specifically for this condition.
Here at Mustela, we’ve created a special cream and foam shampoo with cradle cap in mind! The Foam Shampoo for Newborns that we mentioned earlier is what we recommend for shampooing scalps with this condition. The key is the cream afterwards.
Mustela’s Cradle Cap Cream works to safely and effectively reduce cradle cap flakes and scales and leaves your baby’s scalp smooth, supple, and comfortable.
This fragrance-free cream is made with 95% naturally-derived ingredients including avocado polyphenols® to soften scalp flakes, sunflower oil Distillate® to soothe the skin, and galactoarabinan (an extract from the Larch tree) to keep your baby’s scalp clean and moisturized.
Backed by scientific research, Cradle Cap Cream was developed with healthcare professionals and is proven to be safe for use from birth on, meaning it’s okay to use on your newborn’s cradle cap. And, rest assured that it’s free of parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol.
Simply apply this cream once a day to the affected area by massaging it in lightly and, if possible, leave it on overnight.
Talk With Your Pediatrician
All of that said, if you have concerns about your baby’s skin, or it seems that their cradle cap may be getting infected, don’t hesitate to contact your paediatrician. For more details on the causes of cradle cap and how to treat and prevent it, click here.
Next, and last, we’ll cover a very exciting baby hair care topic: your little one’s very first haircut!
When Should You Cut Your Baby’s Hair?
If your baby’s hair is growing long, you may be wondering when to give your little one their first haircut. The answer is: whenever you want! There’s no right or wrong time to give your little one a trim.
With that said, it’s worth taking into consideration how temperamental babies can be. You might want to put your baby’s first haircut off until it’s totally necessary. New situations can be frightening for your baby.
If you decide to give your little one a new ‘do, start the haircut while your baby is well-rested. You should also feed them right before the trimming begins. Your baby is much less likely to be squirmy and cranky when they’re rested and have a full tummy.
And, of course, be careful while cutting. Your baby has extremely delicate, sensitive skin, so you don’t want any mishaps with the scissors. Safety first!
Simple, Natural Baby Hair Care
There’s not too much to baby hair care. And now that you’ve read about baby hair loss, hair color, how to wash your baby’s hair (or scalp), and what to do about cradle cap, you’re ready to tackle this aspect of caring for a tiny human.
When it’s bath time, shampoo their sweet head with Mustela’s Gentle Shampoo, Foam Shampoo For Newborns, or Stelatopia Foam Shampoo to keep their hair and scalp clean and soothed.
Whether your little one has a full head of hair or is completely bald, just remember to follow the other tips in this article, take lots of photos at every stage, and pile on the hugs and kisses!
Babies Hair Growth Tips
As a parent, you love your baby unconditionally. It doesn’t matter whether they have a full head of baby hair or don’t have a hair on their head!
While you don’t care what your little one has — or doesn’t have — on top of their head, you might still have a few questions about your baby’s hair. This is completely understandable, as it can be hard to know what’s normal and healthy as a new parent. For example, some babies are born as bald as can be, while others are born with a bushy hairdo.
In this post, the baby experts at Mustela will explain everything you need to know about baby hair care. This post will address the following questions:
Baby’s hair at birth
There’s no way to predict how much hair a baby will have at birth. Some babies are born with a lot of hair and others are born without hair. Even when a baby has hair at birth, their hair can fall out shortly after delivery, then later regrow.
Understand that it’s completely normal for a newborn to have no hair or to have hair loss! It doesn’t indicate an underlying health problem.
The color and quantity of a baby’s hair at birth is largely due to genetics. Typically, hair growth occurs at about the 30th week of pregnancy. If your baby starts to grow hair in the womb, they’ll likely be born with hair on their head.
Hormones also play a role in the amount of hair a newborn has. Inside the womb, hormone levels are high, which can accelerate hair growth.
After delivery, though, hormone levels drop at a fast pace. As a result, a baby’s hair growth slows down.
Shortly after birth, a newborn’s hair also enters a new growth cycle. When this occurs, their hair might fall out. The baby then remains bald until their new hair grows in.
The bottom line is that there’s no reason to be overly concerned about hair loss. But, understandably, you might be eager for your baby’s hair to grow. If so, here are a few things you can do.
1. Apply coconut oil
Coconut oil is rich in natural vitamin E, which is a nutrient with antioxidant properties. It’s not only beneficial to the skin — it can also promote hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp.
Coconut oil also adds shine to hair and may prevent hair loss.
In an older 2003 studyTrusted Source, researchers found coconut oil to be useful on hair when used as a wash or grooming product. When combined with sunflower and mineral oil, it helped reduce hair protein loss.
To help stimulate thicker, fuller hair, gently apply coconut oil to your baby’s scalp a few times per week. This doesn’t only moisturize their hair; it can also help eliminate cradle cap.
Use organic or extra-virgin coconut oil — it’s unrefined, meaning it hasn’t been processed. Apply a small amount to your baby’s scalp and allow the oil to sit for about 20 minutes. Rinse their scalp with warm water.
2. Brush your baby’s scalp
Gently combing, brushing, or massaging baby’s scalp can also stimulate hair growth. This is because regular grooming can loosen cradle cap and remove dry skin.
In addition, brushing encourages blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles. After applying oil, gently massage your baby’s scalp with your fingers for a few minutes.
This helps with hair growth and relaxes your baby — so (bonus!) don’t be surprised if they fall asleep.
3. Shampoo regularly
You might be nervous to wash your baby’s hair, but regular shampooing keeps their scalp clean and also loosens cradle cap.
Once baby is out of the newborn phase (during which you need to bathe them only about once per week), wash their hair every 2 or 3 days. Make sure you use lukewarm water and a gentle baby shampoo.
The accumulation of dirt on your baby’s scalp can cause dryness, which can slow hair growth.
4. Use a hair conditioner
The same way you might apply hair conditioner to your hair after shampooing, you can also use conditioner on your baby’s hair.
Conditioner is a moisturizing agent that replaces moisture stripped away by shampoo. It helps protect and strengthen the hair, which can promote growth and reduce breakage.
Hair conditioner is especially important if your baby has textured or curly hair, which can be prone to dryness. Apply conditioner after shampooing, then rinse the product from your baby’s hair with warm water.
Again, choose a kid-friendly conditioner that’s gentle and tear-free.
5. Use a soft towel
When drying your baby’s hair after shampooing and conditioning, be as gentle as possible. Use a soft towel to lightly dry their hair.
Using a hard or rough towel can potentially damage their young hair follicles and slow hair growth.
6. Detangle hair
Keep in mind that textured or curly hair can easily tangle and form knots. These knots can break off, causing your baby to lose hair.
Each day, gently use a soft brush to detangle your baby’s hair.
7. Maintain a healthy diet
A healthy, balanced diet is crucial to helping your baby grow thicker, fuller hair.
If baby is at least 6 months old and eating solid foods, feed them foods rich in iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, and protein.
For example, baby-friendly vitamin A foods include:
- butternut squash
- pumpkin
- carrots
- mango
Foods rich in B vitamins include:
- beans
- meat
- eggs
- whole grains
- potatoes
Vegetables like leafy greens are rich in iron, which helps carry blood and oxygen to the hair follicles and stimulates growth.
If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important that you maintain a healthy diet, too. Your diet is essential to your baby’s growth and development. The foods you eat can also encourage hair growth.
8. Apply gelatin to your baby’s scalp
Gelatin is an amino acid that can stimulate hair growth when applied to a baby’s scalp.
Mix 1 teaspoon of gelatin powder with water. You can also include a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the mixture.
Honey is an antioxidant that restores nutrients to the hair and scalp. Meanwhile, apple cider vinegar helps promote hair growth.
Apply the gelatin mixture to your baby’s scalp and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse out the gelatin and shampoo your baby’s hair as normal.
9. Avoid hair ties
If your baby has a few remaining strands of hair, you might be tempted to pull them back into a small ponytail or use a hair clip. But tying your baby’s hair too tight can damage their hair follicles and cause hair loss.
Rather than use a ponytail holder, use a silk headband — it’s gentle on the hair.
10. Give baby a haircut
Some parents hesitate to give their baby a haircut. But if your baby has hair loss or bald spots, a haircut can get rid of patchiness and allow their hair to grow in evenly.
One belief is that a haircut can jump-start hair growth. However, this idea isn’t backed by science.
If you decide to cut your baby’s hair, trim longer strands first. Don’t use a razor — you might accidentally cut your baby’s scalp. Use a hair trimmer instead.
After cutting baby’s hair, apply a moisturizer to their scalp to reduce dryness.
Baby Hair Growth Month by Month
Hair growth doesn’t stop after birth. In fact, your little one’s hair follicles start to form deep in their skin as early as 14 weeks of pregnancy. And by 20 weeks, fine downy hair starts to sprout from these follicles on the eyebrows and upper lip. By 22 weeks, hair is visible over much of the body, including the back, shoulders, ears and forehead.
Your baby’s hair is growing, just like she is! That soft, fuzzy hair that you see on her head in later weeks starts as little bumps under the skin. These bumps will grow into tiny tubes called follicles and then sprout fine, downy hairs known as vellus fuzz. Soon, you’ll be able to see those tiny strands on her eyebrows, upper lip and chin. As she grows in your belly, the vellus fuzz will thicken into a peach-fuzz coat that covers her forehead, back, shoulders and ears.
Your baby’s hair is probably the last thing on your mind as you get to know each other – but it’s an important part of her growth and development. The hair on her head starts growing during the first trimester, which is why you may notice some fine downy hair on your baby’s eyebrows, upper lip, or chin. This early hair is called lanugo (or sometimes “peach fuzz”). At around 20 weeks of pregnancy, thick, coarse lanugo hair starts popping up all over her body – including on the back of her neck and shoulders, in areas that will eventually become part of her scalp.
There’s no way to predict how much hair a baby will have at birth. Some babies are born with a lot of hair and others are born without hair. Even when a baby has hair at birth, their hair can fall out shortly after delivery, then later regrow.
Understand that it’s completely normal for a newborn to have no hair or to have hair loss! It doesn’t indicate an underlying health problem.
The color and quantity of a baby’s hair at birth is largely due to genetics. Typically, hair growth occurs at about the 30th week of pregnancy. If your baby starts to grow hair in the womb, they’ll likely be born with hair on their head.
Hormones also play a role in the amount of hair a newborn has. Inside the womb, hormone levels are high, which can accelerate hair growth.
After delivery, though, hormone levels drop at a fast pace. As a result, a baby’s hair growth slows down.
Shortly after birth, a newborn’s hair also enters a new growth cycle. When this occurs, their hair might fall out. The baby then remains bald until their new hair grows in.
The bottom line is that there’s no reason to be overly concerned about hair loss. But, understandably, you might be eager for your baby’s hair to grow. If so, here are a few things
8 Best Safe Hair Oils For Babies
1. Premium Nature Fractionated Coconut Oil
The Fractionated Coconut Oil by Premium Nature has a 100% pure and natural composition that is safe for your baby’s delicate scalp. Coconut oil is rich in antioxidants and, thus, excellent for treating dry, flaky skin. The saturated fat content in the oil helps to ensure a faster and thicker hair growth. This colorless oil is packed with vitamins D, E, K, and omega-3 fatty acids, that form a protective skin barrier. It can also be used as a body massage oil on the baby’s sensitive skin.
Pros
- Organic
- Non-greasy
- Absorbed quickly
- Calms itchiness
- Non-staining
- Longer shelf-life
- Promotes hair growth
- Preservative-free
- Fragrance-free
- Dyes-free
- Toxin-free
- Value for money
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
2. Johnson’s Baby Hair Oil – Avocado & Pro Vitamin B5
The avocado & pro-vitamin B5 enriched Johnson’s Baby Hair Oil is a mild and gentle formula It is lightweight and does not cause stickiness or greasiness in your baby’s hair. The pro-vitamin B5 and avocado oils provide intense hydration and possess soothing properties. The mild yet effective ingredients in the formula are devoid of any harsh additives that could damage your kid’s scalp. A daily gentle massage using this mildly fragrant hair oil calms and stimulates your child’s senses.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky
- Mild fragrance
- Calms senses
- Soothes scalp
Cons
- Contains mineral oil
3. Pure Original Fractionated Coconut Oil
This fractionated coconut oil is 100% pure and contains antiseptic properties. The hydrating oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft and nourishes it without feeling sticky or greasy. The lightweight oil is also odorless and colorless. It has a balance of saturated fats that aid in faster, stronger, and thicker hair growth. This formula does not contain any other chemicals, additives, or preservatives that cause irritation and damage. The antioxidants-rich oil is nourishing and helps get rid of dandruff, scaly scalp, cradle caps, and eczema. It can be used to heal burns and diaper rashes. The travel-friendly packaging comes with a free travel cap as well as a pump.
Pros
- 100% natural
- Non-greasy
- Non-staining
- Calms itchiness
- Promotes hair growth
- Hydrating formula
- 100% natural
- Preservative-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Artificial dye-free
- Toxin-free
- Value for money
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
4. Tropical Holistic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Tropical Holistic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is 100% pure, natural, and made of premium quality olives. It is rich in antioxidants and contains oleic acid that penetrates deep into the hair shaft and gives smooth hair and a hydrated scalp. In addition, it adds shine to your baby’s hair, reduces dandruff, and provides ultimate nourishment. It comes with a dropper for convenient application.
Pros
- Organic
- Toxin-free
- Eliminates dandruff
- Calms itchiness
- BPA-free
- Fragrance-free
- Dye-free
- Preservative-free
- Value for money
Cons
- Thick consistency
5. Mom & World Baby Hair Oil
This baby hair oil by Mom & World is made with cold-pressed oils that ensure that the formula retains the maximum benefits of the oils. It contains potent ingredients like coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, almond oil, castor oil, and avocado oil. The avocado and castor oil duo nourishes your baby’s hair, provides strength, promote new hair growth, and prevent hair damage. The coconut and jojoba oil has hydrating properties, while the olive and almond oil combination provides deep nourishment to the baby’s tender scalp. The antioxidants-rich oil further contains vitamins E, A, B, and D that help stimulate blood circulation, promote new growth, eliminates dandruff, and itchiness when massaged into the scalp.
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Clears dandruff
- Gentle formula
- Mineral oil-free
- Preservative-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Artificial colorant-free
- Vegan
- Value for money
Cons
- Unpleasant scent
6. Mama Earth Nourishing Hair Oil For Babies
Give your baby’s hair the goodness of enriching oils with the Mama Earth Nourishing Hair Oil. It contains a combination of coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, and avocado oil for your baby’s complete hair care. Coconut oil promotes hair growth; it also heals cradle caps and keeps your baby’s hair smooth and healthy. Avocado oil helps stimulate blood flow in the hair follicles to promote new growth and is rich in vitamins A, B, D, and vitamin E. Almond oil provides your infant’s hair with shine, strength and promotes thicker hair growth. The lightweight, non-greasy hair oil is free from harsh chemicals that damage or irritate your child’s scalp. It is hypoallergenic and has a mild therapeutic scent of lavender.
Pros
- Organic
- Natural ingredients
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky
- Mild
- Dermatologically-tested
- Toxin-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Vegan
Cons
- Strong scent
7. The Moms Co Natural Hair Oil
The Mom’s Co Natural Hair Oil is infused with a combination of twelve potent natural oils like argan oil, amla oil, bhringraj oil, marula oil, and avocado oil. Avocado oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids that help rejuvenate and hydrate your baby’s hair. Marula oil has high levels of oleic acid and vitamin C that help strengthen the hair follicles for new hair growth. Bhringraj and amla oils help to stimulate hair growth, while argan oil is super rich in antioxidants, linoleic acid, and omega-6 fatty acids. In addition, this super absorbing oil is free from harmful toxins that cause damage or irritation to your baby’s scalp.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Absorbed quickly
- Lightweight
- Non-sticky
- Hypoallergenic
- Dermatologist-tested
- Sulfate-free
- DEA-free
- Synthetic fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Phenoxyethanol-free
- PEG free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
8. Himalaya Baby Hair Oil
The Himalaya Baby Hair Oil has a dermatologically tested mild formula that is safe for your baby’s scalp. It is infused with fenugreek seed extracts, amla, bhringraj oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and olive oil. This potent combination helps stimulate hair growth and adds luster to your baby’s hair. Fenugreek seed extracts, bhringraj, and amla oil help to prevent dandruff and stimulate hair growth. Almond oil and coconut oil provides your infant’s hair with shine, strength and moisturizes their tender scalp. The formula does not contain any harmful ingredients that may irritate or damage your infant’s hair and scalp. It is lightweight and does not leave a greasy or sticky feeling.
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Non-staining
- Soothes itchiness
- Value for money
- Paraben-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Artificial Colorant-free
- Alcohol-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Strong scent
Kids need extra care, and one needs to be extra careful while choosing their grooming products. The best hair oils for babies should be screened for ingredients, and you should ensure that the product is safe for your baby’s delicate skin. Baby hair oil improves the overall health of your baby’s scalp. These hair oils are formulated without harsh ingredients and allow your child’s healthier hair growth. Consider the ingredients, check for allergy-inducing ingredients, avoid products with artificial fragrances, and ensure they have non-hazardous packaging while purchasing the best hair oils for your baby.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, has a considerable amount of a passion for hair care. She understands the importance of using mild, effective products for a baby’s sensitive scalp so they won’t cause allergies. She has meticulously researched the best baby hair oils to help her readers choose one that is perfect for their bundle of joy. The gentle massage of hair oil on an infant’s scalp stimulates blood circulation and improves new hair growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of oil can you put on a baby’s hair?
You can use hair oils that are made from natural extracts and are cold pressed. Stay away from oils that contain chemicals and preservatives.
Is coconut oil good for babies’ hair?
Yes! Coconut oil helps stimulate hair growth, induces shine, and improves the overall hair texture. It also has natural antioxidants and helps to eliminate cradle caps.
Can I leave oil in the baby’s hair overnight?
Yes, it is okay to leave oil in your baby’s hair overnight. However, avoid putting an excessive amount of hair oil to avoid it getting into the baby’s eyes.
Can I put hair oil on my 2-month old?
Yes! It is fine to oil your 2-month old baby’s hair. It helps keep your baby’s scalp moisturized and dandruff-free.
Is olive oil good for baby hair?
Yes! Olive oil contains super hydrating properties and softens, strengthens, and nourishes your baby’s delicate hair. It also helps remove cradle cap or flaky skin on your Infant’s scalp.
Baby Hair Growth Home Remedies
A lot of mothers have a hard time imagining a baby that doesn’t have full head of hair. But, this is actually normal. Babies go through several stages of hair growth when they are born and the length and thickness depend on genetics and hormones. There are several home remedies out there that help in adding some volume to your baby’s hair as well as prevent breakage due to weak stems that often happen in newborns.
Babies undergo a lot of changes during pregnancy and after coming into this world. A baby’s hair loss is not something new. It happens to most of the babies but it never gets too much importance. After all, there are many more important things that you need to focus on at that time in your life as a mom.
Do you have a baby girl and want her to have long, luscious hair? “How to make my daughter’s hair grow faster?” is a question asked by many mothers at least once. Well, even though genetics plays an important role in determining the thickness of the baby’s hair, there are some practices and home remedies that aids in increasing the strength of hair follicles and hair. This will reduce hair fall and enhance hair growth.
However, when it comes to home remedies for hair growth, there is an important fact to keep in mind. Every child is unique and so is their hair. It requires different needs and reacts differently to various remedies and practices.
If you are in search of ways to make baby hair grow thicker, here are some simple home remedies for baby hair to grow fast.
1. Coconut oil – the No. 1 home remedy for baby hair to grow fast
Coconut oil is rich in natural vitamin E. Vitamin E is a key component that potentially nourishes the baby’s scalp.
Coconut oil has antioxidant properties. It promotes hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp.
Applying coconut oil for baby hair growth is a traditional practice. Coconut oil also helps to get rid of cradle cap and prevent hair fall. Pick organic or extra virgin coconut oil for optimum result.
Studies show coconut oil helps to enhance hair growth and hair texture. This is so because coconut can penetrate the hair shaft when compared to other oils.
Applying coconut oil to the baby’s scalp on alternate days stimulates hair growth.
You can also combine it with sunflower and mineral oil. According to researches coconut oil can potentially reduce protein loss remarkably.
It can be used both in healthy and damaged hair. It can be applied as both pre-wash and post-wash oil.
Gently massage coconut oil to your baby’s scalp. Let it remain on the scalp for 20 minutes. Then, rinse their scalp with warm water.
2. Aloe Vera for baby hair growth
This evergreen perennial has a lot of medicinal qualities and can be easily grown in all homes. Aloe vera greatly helps with hair growth in babies.
It is an excellent moisturizer and thereby prevents dryness and hair damage.
You can apply Aloe Vera juice directly to the baby’s scalp. Gently massage and leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash well with plenty of water. Aloe vera greatly enhances the health of the scalp.
3. Gelatin for thicker baby hair
Gelatin is loaded with amino acids such as glycine and proline. These amino acids stimulate hair growth. It will also fight the condition of baby’s dry or flaky scalp.
To incorporate gelatin into a baby’s hair care regime, mix one teaspoon each of gelatin powder, cold water, and hot water. To this, add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey.
While the antioxidant property of honey helps to restores nutrients to the hair and scalp, apple cider vinegar to balances the pH level of hair. Applying both, thus, promotes hair growth.
Mix all the ingredients well and gently massage to the scalp. Allow to dry out for a few minutes. After that, wash it off using mild baby shampoo.
4. Castor oil
Castor oil is is traditionally used to massage the scalp of the baby. Besides, vital enzymes and minerals, castor oil is an excellent source of vitamin E, nine oleic acids, and nine essential fatty acids.
The antimicrobial property of castor oil helps to prevent fungal/bacterial scalp infections.
It promotes hair growth by strengthening the root of the hair and stimulating blood circulation in the scalp. It also helps to lock the moisture in the hair thereby preventing breaking.
Another method to use castor oil for baby hair growth is to mix it with cumin paste. Cumin seeds are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that are beneficial for hair growth.
To make paste soak some cumin seed in water for some time and grind it into a paste.
Gently massage baby’s scalp with this mixture and wash off after 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Shea butter for baby’s hair
You can massage your baby’s hair and scalp with rich unrefined additive-free shea butter. Shea butter is loaded with fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. These elements of shea butter contribute to making baby’s hair soft and silky.
6. Argan oil
Argan oil is one of the best baby hair growth oils. The oil is enriched with vitamin E, omega 9, 6 fatty acids, and proteins.
Argan oil combat scalp dryness by deeply moisturizing the scalp and promotes hair growth.
It not only reduces cradle cap, but it also conditions the baby’s hair. Massage scalp and hair with few drops of Argan oil. Wash off after 20 minutes. It is said you will see the result within weeks.
7. Neem water
Giving the baby a neem bath is very advantageous. Neem is well- known for its antibiotic property.
It is equally beneficial for the skin and hair of the baby. Neem water helps to prevent itchiness and dryness in the scalp and enhances the overall health of the scalp.
8. Olive oil
Olive oil is enriched with antioxidants and essential vitamins for hair growth like vitamin E and A.
It helps to maintain the keratin level in the baby’s hair. The great hydrating quality of olive oil not only promotes hair growth but also improves hair texture.
Antioxidants in olive oil keep the scalp healthy and protect it from external factors such as weather and pollution that could potentially damage the health of the scalp and hair. The strong antibacterial properties of olive oil help to protect the scalp from common fungal infections
9. Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a key element in many hair care regime for generations. It is beneficial in promoting hair growth in babies as well.
Fenugreek is a good source of iron, protein, and nicotinic acid. It can potentially enrich the baby’s scalp and strengthen the hair shafts.
The natural oil in fenugreek helps to moisturize the hair. It can strengthen the roots and reduce hair fall noticeably. Fenugreek also helps to prevent all sorts of infections in the scalp.
You can use it as a natural shampoo. Soak some fenugreek over-night. Grind it and make a smooth paste. Apply it over the scalp and hair and after 15 minutes wash off with plenty of water.
You can even use it in oil applied hair and this wash of oils just like baby shampoo.
10. Amla
Studies prove amla can potentially stimulate hair growth. You can make amla water by boiling amla. Once it is cooled to room temperature, you can use it to wash the baby’s hair.
You can also make amla paste and use it to massage the baby’s scalp and wash it thoroughly with plenty of water.
11. Some practices that promote hair growth in babies
Along with the above home remedies for baby hair, it is important to follow some child hair care tips. This will help you get fuller and thicker baby hair.
Once a day brush baby’s hair
Gently brushing or running a gentle comb through the baby’s hair and scalp every day helps to improve hair growth. Combing hair enhances blood circulation that is beneficial for hair growth.
Also, tangled hair can be easily broken and result in hair loss. Therefore, detangling hair every day is important. Use wide-toothed or soft-bristled baby combs.
Wash baby’s hair regularly
It is important to wash the baby’s hair once every two to three days. Accumulation of dirt can adversely affect the scalp and hair growth.
Use a mild preferably no-tears baby shampoo to wash the baby’s hair. Use tepid water to wash the baby’s hair.
It is important to use the conditioner after shampooing to prevent dryness. You can make homemade conditioner for this. Mixing jojoba oil and honey in a 1:1 ratio makes an excellent natural conditioner that boosts hair growth. Apply this paste on hair after shampooing after 10 minutes wash thoroughly with water.
Use a soft towel for drying baby’s hair
After hair wash, use a soft towel and gently pat dry baby’s hair. Be as gentle as possible when you dry the baby’s hair.
Using a hard or rough towel or drying with vigorous strokes can potentially damage hair follicles. Plus, babies are delicate beings and deserve to be treated very delicately.
Avoid tight ponies and hair accessories
Avoid tight hair bands or hair clips while tying baby’s hair. Tie or braid it loosely. Tight ponies and braids can damage the hair roots and cause hair fall
Conclusion
Oiling and massaging a baby’s scalp is very beneficial when it comes to baby hair growth. It stimulates the nerves and improves blood circulation. But never overdo it.
Anything in excess is harmful. Too much oil massage can clog the scalp pores and lead to infections and aggravate scalp issues.
Symptoms of Baby Hair Growth During Pregnancy
A baby’s skin is mostly transparent, with a few bumps and veins. Her hair begins emerging in the form of white fuzz all over her body, then grows into thicker strands that are usually soft and fine. Though these details might not seem obvious right away, they’re an important part of your little one’s appearance!
Up until now, she’s been naked and cute as a button! But soon, you’ll see her skin (transparent, mostly) change to pinkish-tan or yellowish-brown, depending on your ethnicity and race. As she develops a little more, you’ll notice her hair (white and all over her body) start to grow in — this happens from about 18 weeks through birth.
Around week 14 or week 15 of pregnancy, teeny-tiny baby hairs start to poke through the skin at a slight angle, setting the stage for your baby’s hairline to appear very soon. Eyelashes and eyebrows are looking pretty good too by around week 22.
Throughout pregnancy, your baby’s hair will actually go through two cycles of shedding and regrowth. A precise pattern eventually emerges, with all follicles evenly spaced. In fact, not a single follicle forms after birth.
As your baby’s brain grows, the delicate skin on her scalp stretches to accommodate it, which results in the parietal hair whorl — that clockwise (or counterclockwise) twirl of hair on the back of your head.
Just because all (hair) systems are a go before your baby’s born doesn’t mean that your little one will actually be born with much (or any) hair. Some babies are born with a mop top, while others come out looking like a cue ball.
The amount of hair you can expect on your newborn’s head is up to genetics, which actually makes it relatively predictable. Darker complexions have slower grow-and-shed cycles, which mean a thicker head of hair at birth.
Another clue: If you experience a significant amount of heartburn during pregnancy, there really is a slightly better chance your baby-to-be will have a good head of hair. Researchers have found evidence supporting this old wives’ tale, noting there’s likely a biologic mechanism involving pregnancy hormones that both relaxes the esophageal sphincter (causing heartburn) and regulates fetal hair growth.
Once your newborn’s first strands sprout in, don’t get too attached to what you see. When your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, her hair will go through one more phase of development, which often results in hair loss.
For a little while, at least, your baby’s thick head of hair may very well go bald. Hair loss may also occur so gradually that you don’t even notice it’s happening.
When your baby will get “terminal hair” (or the hair she’ll have as a grown-up) can vary wildly. A more permanent set of hair may grow in around the same time her baby hair is falling out — or your baby may remain more or less hairless until she’s 2 years old.
What color hair will my baby have?
If you could snap a photo of your baby in utero, you wouldn’t see black curls or blond wisps just yet. Hair is pigment-free and bright white during pregnancy. In fact, all babies — no matter their ethnicity — sport the same thin, silky and often lightly-colored hair at birth, called vellus.
Ultimately, your baby’s appearance after birth — including her hair color — depends on genetics (i.e. the DNA that’s inherited from each biological parent). Brown and black hair genes are dominant over blond and red hair genes. Other inherited genes that control how much pigment you have in your hair also play a role.
Generally speaking, if one parent is blond and the other is a brunette, a baby has about a 50 percent chance of being blond if the brunette parent has a recessive blond gene. It’s also possible for two brunettes to give birth to a blond or redhead if they both have and pass on a recessive blond or red-hair gene.
No matter what genetics have in the cards for your little one, you should be prepared for her hair texture and color to change after birth, as those newborn locks fall out and a more permanent set of hair replaces them. In other words, your blondie could turn into a brunette.
In fact, you should expect quite a bit of variation in your little one’s hair color within her first few years of life.
Food For Baby Hair Growth
Your baby’s hair matters as much as yours! A healthy, balanced diet is crucial to helping your baby grow thicker, fuller hair. If the baby is at least 6 months old and eating solid foods, feed them foods rich in iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc, and protein.
To help your baby grow thicker, fuller hair, make sure that his or her diet contains foods rich in iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, vitamin D, zinc and protein.
One of the most important things you can do for your baby is to provide a nutrient rich diet of quality whole foods. Not only will choosing nutritious whole foods over processed foods and convenience foods promote optimum physical health and brain development, but these foods will also grow your baby’s hair. Hair needs nutrients in order to achieve standard rates of growth.
Foods Rich in B Vitamins
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the B vitamins are essential to healthy hair. That is because of the important role those vitamins play in delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to the scalp, via their contribution to the creation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are a part of the process of hemoglobin production. Because B vitamins are so essential to health and well-being, many foods come with B vitamins added, such as cereals, breads, and pastas. Eating a varied diet daily is important to getting enough of each of the B vitamins. That diet should include whole grains, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, beans, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, bananas, and potatoes. Nuts should not be given to babies, except in a ground form, like peanut butter or almond butter, as whole nuts are a choking hazard. Follow a pediatrician’s advice concerning the food introduction schedule.
Smart Protein Foods
The hair is made of protein and the body needs enough of that nutrient in order for hair to be healthy and strong as it grows. Choosing smart protein foods means selecting those that offer the maximum benefit while not loading the body with the food additives found in most processed foods and fast foods. Choosing protein sources such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel ensures the body gets valuable Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, also good for growing hair, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, along with the protein. Beans, eggs, and dairy products are also good protein food choices.
Foods Rich in Vitamin A
While it is common knowledge that vitamin A is good for the eyes, it may not be so commonly known how important this nutrient is to healthy hair. Vitamin A, has important functions in the body, helping in the process of red blood cell production and assisting the body in utilizing protein. Vitamin A also helps in the production and regulation of hormones, which influences hair growth, among numerous other critical functions. Deep yellow orange fruits and vegetables, such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, papaya, carrots, and mango, are rich sources of this nutrient. Other sources include butter, milk, eggs, and deep green leafy vegetables.
How To Promote Hair Growth In Babies
If you’re looking for ways to speed hair growth, here are some simple tricks that my babies have used to stimulate growth. The first thing to do after birth is to apply coconut oil and brush your baby’s scalp daily. This stimulates the blood flow and encourages growth. Use a hair conditioner after every wash – detangle their hair with your fingers while applying it so that the conditioner goes deep into their scalp. Shampoo regularly, but use only natural shampoos without any chemicals or artificial fragrances; these can cause irritation in your baby’s sensitive scalp. Use a soft towel or even cotton cloth on their head after each wash as this prevents breakage and offers amazing protection against heat loss in winters.
Beautiful, healthy hair can make your baby look adorable. But when your little one’s hair is falling out, it can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are a few ways to promote healthy development and encourage new growth to help keep baldness at bay! Here are some simple tricks that may stimulate growth.
Healthy hair is often a sign of good health. If you’re wondering how to promote hair growth in babies, these tips might help. …
At What Age Do Babies Hair Start Growing?
The first signs of hair loss typically appear between the ages of 8 and 12 weeks, and new hair growth typically starts between the ages of 3 and 7 months. However, thicker hair does not begin to appear until the child is approximately 2 years old.