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Receding Hairlines in Babies

Babies who are born with full heads of hair sometimes end up as hairless as those born completely bald about a month or two after birth. Just as new parents are getting the hang of combing their new baby's hair and styling it, it suddenly begins to fade away. Although hair loss at the back of the head is the most common phenomenon, some babies do experience receding hairlines as well.

  1. Features

    • Babies often lose their hair because of a drop in hormone levels experienced soon after they are born. This type of hair loss is perfectly normal and is known medically as telogen effluvium.

    Time Frame

    • The most common time for newborns to lose their hair is anytime during the first six months of life. Some newborns lose the hair that they are born with almost immediately; others retain their hair into their fifth or sixth month, only to have it begin falling out. There is no way to predict precisely when or if a baby's hair will fall out.

    Types

    • The pattern in which a newborn's hair might fall out varies tremendously from case to case. Some babies' hair seems to rub off of the back of the head, creating a bald spot. Other babies' hair seems to fall out and create a receding hairline pattern of hair loss. Where the hair falls out--and how much of it does--cannot be predicted or usually prevented.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Infant hair loss resulting from a change in hormone levels cannot be prevented. Hair loss caused by rubbing--as commonly occurs with the hair on the back of a baby's head--might be lessened by allowing a baby to sleep on her side and being conscientious about not letting her lie on her back too frequently. However, receding hairlines in babies cannot be controlled, as they almost certainly are do to hormonal changes that cannot be assuaged.

    Effects

    • After a baby's hair has fallen out, new hair usually grows back in relatively quickly. Many times, though, it is of a completely different color and texture than what was there before. This is also perfectly normal and is not cause for any alarm. The chances of a baby's receding hairline become a permanent physical feature is quite unlikely; most babies grow back full heads of hair in little time.

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