Some new babies are born with a soft covering of fuzz, while others are born with a whole head of hair. But one thing is the same with all newborn babies---they all lose their hair. Generally, hair loss occurs within the first six months of age, and it's called telogen effluvium, a normal part of newborn growth that parents should be prepared for.
Normal Hair Growth Stages
Hair goes through numerous stages, including growth stages and "resting" stages, which are periods of no growth. Typically, hair grows for about three years and stops or rests for somewhere from one to six months (usually around three months). During the resting stage, hair isn't lost but doesn't grow, either. Major changes---including stress, changes in hormones or a high fever---can cause more hairs than normal to enter the resting stage. Once the growth stage starts again, the hair begins to fall out to make room for the new hair.
Changes in Hormones
The major changes in hormone levels just after delivery are what trigger a baby's resting stage. Birth causes hormone levels to drop significantly, in both babies and moms. So just after birth, the resting stage begins and a few months later growth resumes and the old hair falls out.
About Bald Patches
Bald patches often aren't a sign of normal hair loss in babies---it may actually be a problem with the way your baby sleeps or rests his head against his car seat, swing or bouncer. Make sure that you rotate which way your baby's head rests when sitting and sleeping to avoid hair loss and bald patches.
When Hair Grows Back
Often, when a newborn's hair grows back after falling out, it's completely different than the hair she was born with. The new hair often grows in a different color and even a different texture than hair at birth. That is part of the normal hair growth pattern.
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