Newborn babies may have a type of velvety hair all over your body in the first month of your life. It is something very concurrent and therefore normal. It is a provision that is present to be able to protect that baby during its gestation.
It can be alarming because some babies are very hairy. Even for new parents this fact may be disturbing. But far beyond what it seems, do not be afraid, 0
What is lanugo?
The lanugo is the hair that manifests itself in many newborns, but before birth it is already present in your body from week 20 of your gestation. This hair is part of the vernix caseosa, a thin layer that covers the body and that It has the appearance of sebaceous daub.
Around the 13th week of pregnancy the lanugo already begins to form in the head of the fetus, and by week 20 it can cover practically all the baby's skin. It is part of vernix caseosa and will help protect your skin during pregnancy and any irritating substance that can manifest within the placenta or amniotic fluid.
It will also help your body temperature is maintained and can protect it from moisture and dehydration. This layer of sebaceous oil is ideal for being a totally slippery and slippery substance, Thus, it can further promote the delivery of the baby through the birth canal.
Where is lanugo presented?
Many of the babies that are born no longer have lanugo or hair on their body. It is more common to see it in premature infants, where they have not yet had time to get rid of it before being born. The lanugo can be presented at the time of birth, but not in the baby's body, but as part of the composition of meconium.
It occurs in areas such as the scalp, shoulders, back, cheeks, ears or temples. It generally has a long dark hair look, but as we have said throughout the first weeks of life, this hair it will come off naturally, even with any small brush.
When does lanugo disappear?
Lanugo is always present on the baby's skin during her pregnancy. Many fetuses already have the ability to shed it on the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, although later they can be born with remains of a thin layer of vernix caseosa around their body.
If the baby is born with lanugo, you only have to wait about two weeks so that it comes off. Other children may need much more time for their downfall and that is why some parents take measures for their disappearance.
Within these measures there is no invasive way, it is only gently massage the baby's body to help its shedding faster. You just have to massage more carefully, given that the skin is much more susceptible to external agents and friction.
Keep in mind that many babies they are born with a lot of hair on their heads and that they also come off it after two weeks. This happens because it is also about lanugo, where later it will shed and your natural hair will start to come out.
Newborns' hair is so delicate that suffers from many variations throughout growth in its first few months. Some children may suffer little bald spots on his head due to the rubbing of the crib or the mattress when they are lying down.
How you can see the hair of the newborn is very susceptible to changes during its first months. You just have to wait for their growth and development to normalize over the months.