Every new parent is excited to know how their baby would look like. They spend a lot of time imagining the look. Every parent waits eagerly to know the color of skin and hair, the shape of the nose and who the child would resemble.

An Infant’s Hair at Birth

Some babies are born bald while others are born with a head full of hair. However, even if the baby is born with a lot of hair, eventually it falls off after birth and re-grows gradually. Inside the womb, hair starts growing in the 30th week of pregnancy. Genetics plays an important role in determining the color, quality and quantity of hair. Apart from genetics, hormones also play an important role. Increased hormone levels can accelerate the growth of hair. After the child is born, the hormone levels go down causing hair to fall. There is no reason to worry about the hair fall.

How to Make Baby’s Hair Grow Faster

The baby’s hair will grow at its own pace. There is nothing to worry about if hair growth is slow. However, some methods may accelerate hair growth. Here are a few tips to help your baby’s hair grow fast.

Eating Healthy

The diet of the mother is important for the baby’s healthy growth, including hair growth. Eat healthy balanced food that includes iron, vitamins A, D, and E, zinc, and protein. If your baby is above six months and has started eating solid foods then give them pumpkin, carrots, beans, spinach, and potatoes. These would help in hair growth.

Apply Coconut Oil

Traditionally, coconut oil is related to hair growth. Gently massaging your baby’s scalp would promote hair growth. Coconut oil contains vitamin E that has antioxidants. Try to use extra virgin coconut oil at least twice a week. Coconut oil will make the hair grow thick and shiny.

Shampoo

New parents are often skeptical about using shampoo. However, it is important to shampoo your infant’s hair 3-4 times a week. Dirt accumulation on the scalp can cause dryness and slow the process of hair growth. Use only ‘no-tears’ baby shampoos. Use lukewarm water to shampoo the hair. Gently apply shampoo and massage the scalp before rinsing it off with clean water.

Brush the Hair Gently

Regularly comb and brush the baby’s scalp with a soft brush. Brushing the hair regularly prevents the formation of a cradle cap. Combing also removes dry skin and increases blood circulation. First, apply oil and then gently brush the scalp. This would also relax the baby and help them fall asleep.

Untangle the Hair

If your baby has curly hair then chances are high that the hair would get entangled. Knotted hair is prone to breaking. Therefore, you should regularly untangle the hair gently. Even infants with straight hair can get tangles due to sweat and dirt. Brushing and combing the hair regularly would help to get rid of these tangles.

Soft Towel

Use a soft towel to dry your baby’s hair after washing. Rub the towel as gently as possible. Using a rough towel can damage the hair follicles and also cause pain to the baby.

Haircut

In most families, the first haircut has an emotional and sometimes, even religious significance. In many families, the first haircut is given only after a certain time. A regular haircut can give a boost to hair growth. If you notice bald patches, do give the baby a haircut.