Lanugo: What You Need To Know About Babies Born With Hair

Ever heard the old wives' tale that heartburn during pregnancy means you’ll have a hairy baby? I did. And sure enough, when my daughter was born, she had a full head of dark, velvety hair and black peach fuzz on her arms and belly. That fine baby hair has a name: lanugo

“You, too, were a little monkey when you were born,” reassured my mother, affectionately, as we watched the nurse give my baby her first bath. “Oh, don’t fret,” the nurse piped up. “It’ll be gone before you know it.”

What is lanugo?

Pronounced "la-NOO-go," lanugo is soft, downy body hair that about a third of babies are born with. It’s produced by fetal hair follicles during the second trimester, between 16 and 20 weeks, and keeps a baby warm inside the womb. Most babies lose their lanugo in utero (around 32 to 36 weeks), where it’s shed into the amniotic fluid. Other babies, particularly preemies, are born with their lanugo, which usually falls out within the first few weeks, and is replaced by what's called vellus hair, which is finer and harder to see.

Should you worry about babies with hair?

It can be surprising to discover body hair on your newborn, whether that's lanugo on their shoulders or a thick mop of hair on their head.

Indeed, hair is a common area of concern for new parents, says Toronto paediatrician Beverly Kupfert. Some worry about too much hair, including lanugo, while others worry that as their baby gets older, they don't have enough. “Just because a baby is still bald at 18 months or beyond does not mean she won’t have beautiful hair thereafter," says Kupfert. "There is a very wide variation of what’s normal.”

For Renita Jenkins, a mom in Yellowknife, the surprise wasn’t lanugo—it was the jet-black pixie cut her newborn daughter was born with. ‘I’m fair, and my husband’s bald, so we definitely get some funny looks,’ she laughs. By one month, her daughter was already wearing barrettes; by three months, pigtails. At 13 months, Renita had trimmed her bangs four times.

Will your baby's hair texture change?

Toronto hairstylist Karen Williamson is used to giving infants their first trim. “I see babies as young as two or three months old,” she says. Parents often ask her about the texture of their child’s hair and how it might change, often lamenting the loss of those cherubic curls. “Just because a baby has curly hair in his first years doesn’t mean it will stay that way through adulthood,” she explains. “Hair changes all the time.”

When does lanugo go away?

If your baby is born with lanugo, it usually disappears within the first few weeks of life, sometimes even in just a few days. In some cultures and families, newborn body hair may last a bit longer, but it will fade on its own. You’ll likely be too busy with newborn life to notice the exact moment it goes.

FAQs

Is lanugo normal in newborns?

Yes. About one in three babies is born with lanugo, especially preemies. It’s completely normal and not a cause for concern.

When does lanugo go away?

Most babies shed lanugo in the womb, but if your baby is born with it, the fuzz usually falls out within the first few weeks of life.

Do full-term babies have lanugo?

Some full-term babies are born with lanugo, though it’s more common in preemies. Either way, it will disappear on its own.

Does lanugo mean my baby will have lots of hair later?

Not necessarily. A newborn’s lanugo doesn’t predict future hair growth. Babies’ hair texture, thickness, and even colour often change in the first few years.

Should I remove my baby’s lanugo?

No. Lanugo falls out naturally. There’s no need to remove it, and doing so could irritate your baby’s skin.

Is lanugo related to pregnancy heartburn?

There’s an old wives’ tale that heartburn means a hairy baby. While some studies have found a loose connection, lanugo is just a normal part of fetal development—not a sign of anything you did during pregnancy.