How to prevent baby bald spots?
First things, first. Don’t panic!
Hormones can play a big part in baby hair-loss after birth (the same way new mums can lose large amounts of hair postpartum). However, a more common cause for baby bald spots is the time babies spend on their backs. This time spent constantly rubbing their heads on their mattress, bassinet, pram, etc. causes their fine hair to be knotted and broken off or pulled out by the constant friction.
Read on to discover our tried, tested and trusted techniques to help you prevent baby bald spots, encourage re-growth in existing bald spots and give your baby's hair the best starting care!
1. SWITCH TO SILK
Silky Tots 100% Mulberry Silk helps to reduce and prevent baby bald spots by reducing the friction on baby’s head (when compared to ordinary cotton sheets). This friction is the main culprit for the matting, knotting, frizz and rubbing out of delicate hair.
Silk creates a luxurious, liquid smooth environment for baby's hair to grow as well as being naturally breathable, hypoallergenic and uninhabitable by dust-mites; perfect for eczema, asthma and allergies.
IS YOUR BABY ALREADY SPORTING A BALD PATCH?
Don’t worry, it’s not too late! Sleeping on silk allows baby's new hair to come through much quicker than sleeping on cotton or bamboo sheets, reducing friction, silk protects the new hairs and encourages regrowth.
★★★★★
"Silky Tots completely saved my daughter's hair. My baby had a small bald spot on the back of her head, the hair is now growing back and it’s only been a few weeks, I'm seeing major improvements. If you are wondering whether or not the silk works, it absolutely does."
- Georgianna C.
2. BRUSH BEFORE BED
Gently brushing baby’s hair before bed minimises the knots that turn into matts and eventually rub off (creating bald patches) while baby is sleeping. If you can make sure there are no knots present before baby nods off, then you are one step ahead of the game!
3. SWAP SLEEPING SIDES
If you’ve established a sleep routine, chances are you’re placing baby at the same end of the cot each time you put them down to sleep. This means they will tend to turn and rest their head in one direction more the other (especially if one side of the cot is against a wall) meaning pressure on the hair and skin is not distributed evenly, leaving your babe with bald patches and flat spots.
Try alternating the end of the cot you place baby’s feet to even things up!
4. ENCOURAGE TUMMY TIME
As well as encouraging a healthy neck strength, growth and muscular development, more time spent on baby’s tummy will help to reduce the amount of time she spends on her back and pressing her head into the surface below.
5. AVOID NASTY CHEMICALS
Try to avoid washing baby’s hair too often. Baby’s hair doesn’t actually need shampoo or conditioner as it is perfectly capable of self-cleaning. Even if you’re bathing daily, you don’t need to wash baby’s hair daily. We know those tiny bottles are tempting but you might want to re-think the baby shampoo and conditioner ... Rinsing with water is a much better option as it won’t strip natural oils from baby's hair, keeping the hair follicles moisturised and less susceptible to knotting and breakage.
Baby’s skin is also 30% thinner than adult skin, meaning it is much more permeable and susceptible to harsh chemicals.
