Many new parents notice their baby shedding their beautiful birth hair in the first few months — sometimes replacing it with hair that is completely different in colour and texture. This is entirely normal and expected.
Why Birth Hair Falls Out
During pregnancy, high levels of oestrogen keep the mother's hair in the growth (anagen) phase, which is why pregnant women often have unusually thick, lustrous hair. After birth, maternal oestrogen drops. The same hormonal shift affects the baby — the birth hair shifts from the growth phase to the telogen (resting/shedding) phase synchronously, causing visible hair loss.
When It Happens and Grows Back
| Stage | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| 0–3 months | Birth hair may begin thinning or falling out |
| 2–4 months | Peak shedding — bald patches, especially back of head |
| 3–6 months | New hair grows in — may be different colour and texture |
| 6–12 months | New hair fills in; colour often closer to permanent shade |
Rubbing and Positional Alopecia
A common cause of hair loss at the back of the head is friction — babies who spend a lot of time on their backs (as they should for safe sleep) rub that area on the mattress during head turning. This is called positional or friction alopecia. It resolves when the baby spends more time upright and doing tummy time.
Will the New Hair Look Different?
Often yes. Babies born with dark hair sometimes replace it with lighter hair. Straight hair may grow in curly. The colour seen at birth reflects the melanocyte activity in utero and may not match the child's eventual hair colour. True hair colour is usually established by age 2.
Tip
Tummy time reduces pressure on the back of the head and can help prevent and resolve friction alopecia — a good reason to prioritise it from day one.
When Hair Loss Needs Medical Attention
Neonatal alopecia is always diffuse (widespread) and temporary. Hair loss in discrete patches, eyebrow loss, loss associated with scaly skin or other skin changes, or hair loss that is not growing back by 6–9 months, should be reviewed by a paediatrician.
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