Today we're battling the baby bald spot!
My youngest baby is 8 months old. Can you believe that? Time has flown!
We drop the older two off at preschool twice a week, and Minion and I cherish our quiet time. He is admittedly too big for the baby tub at this point, but once in awhile I still like to use it. I make up a bath in the middle of his nursery floor and spend time playing with his fine hair.
Battling his baby bald spot requires some extra care.
Shhhh, he doesn't like to talk about the baby bald spot.
He's very sensitive about it.
Baby Bald Spot 101
First and foremost, baby hair care requires one of those soft baby brushes to smooth down hair and gently brush skin flakes away. It's normal for babies to develop bald patches and flaky areas on the scalp as a result of hormones. Rubbing against their crib mattress can also result in big baby bald spots on the back of their head. This is why it's important to give them lots of tummy time and hold them often!
After being in the hospital with RSV, Minion developed a severe baby bald spot. Not being picked up for over a week will do that! They even started spraying him with special lotion to prevent bedsores, which was heartbreaking. You can still see a bit of the aftermath here, but we've cared for his little head well and his hair is finally springing back.
There for awhile, his baby bald spot was so noticeable that random people in the grocery store would come up and inform me that he had it because I'd left him in his crib too long. I was like, “Really? Give me more unsolicited parenting advice, please!”
Here is how to care for that delicate hair and battle a baby bald spot if you see one forming:
1. Cleanse. Use JOHNSON'S® shampoo & conditioner (they have different formulations for curly/thick hair and for thin/straight hair). This gets the scalp nice and clean without weighing the hair down.
2. Nourish. JOHNSON'S® NO MORE TANGLES® leave-in conditioner makes those easily-tangled baby locks knot-free.
3. Style. Add a little spritz of JOHNSON'S® NO MORE TANGLES® detangling spray. Then, glide a soft brush right on through, pulling away flaky skin and moisturizing the scalp.
A lot of people get nervous when they see baby hair loss. Parents panic and stop brushing their baby's hair altogether, which is the worst thing you can do! The scalp needs stimulation. Gentle shampoo helps release flaky scalp buildup, and conditioner moisturizes the skin and prevents those wispy hairs from getting tangled.
After caring for the baby bald spot, it's nap time. Which around here we spell out, “N-A-P T-I-M-E.” These kids catch on quick!