How to Prevent a Bald Spot from Developing on the Back of a Baby's Head

Many babies lose their hair during their first six months due to hormone fluctuations. This is not preventable, and new hair eventually grows. A bald spot on the back of a baby's head not related to hormones. In rare instances such bald spots indicate a fungal infection; however, they typically result from the baby spending too much time lying on that particular spot. You can prevent a bald spot from forming on the back of your baby's head with a few simple steps, including those you should take anyway to prevent "positional molding," or the development of flat spots on a baby's soft, somewhat malleable head.

Affix pieces of silk, satin or other similarly smooth fabric to the headrest area of your baby's car seat, bouncy seat, carrier, swing or other infant seats. This prevents hair from getting snagged in the fabric and pulled out.

Minimize the amount of time your baby spends lying on his back during the day as much as possible. Hold him as often as possible. Use a baby sling to hold and carry him more often and more easily. Make sure your baby spends time on his stomach; it doesn't just help prevent bald spots on the back of his head; it's also essential to healthy development.

Alternate which end of the crib you lay your baby's head on each day, advises the Allegheny County Health Department. Babies usually turn their heads at least slightly to see the room and other people. By changing his head position in this way, your baby changes where the pressure is applied to his head, helping to prevent the development of a bald spot.

Use a baby sleep wedge to change the position in which your baby sleeps to eliminate consistent pressure and friction on the same patch of hair, as BabyCenter suggests.

Tips

While hair loss and bald spots are generally not cause for concern, mention them to your pediatrician.

Warnings

Never lay your baby on a pillow or other soft material in the hopes of preventing a bald spot, as this is a suffocation hazard.

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