When Do Babies Get Eyebrows?

newborn with eyebrows

Parents are very enthusiastic and concerned about their baby’s milestones. Every milestone of your baby seems to be an achievement and a blessing.

Parents want to know many things about their baby who has already started to grow inside the uterus of the mother. And one of them is the Eyebrows. Many Parents ask when babies get to grow eyebrows.

Well, a baby gets eyebrows when he/she is in the mother’s womb.  The baby starts to develop eyebrows in the 22nd week of pregnancy.

To know in depth the details of your newborn baby keep reading this article and finding out what you didn’t know.

Do babies have eyebrows when they are born?

babys eyebrows

Yes, babies develop eyebrows when in their mother’s bellies. Your baby could be born with his or her eyebrows already in place. The color of the eyebrows will change, and they may become full in length as time passes.

Babies who do not seem to have eyebrows will grow them as a few little pieces which become prominent later.

So when do they get eyebrows?

newborn eyebrows

The development of baby eyebrows starts in week 22 of pregnancy. Your baby is covered in soft hair called lanugo.

This layer of hair is going to keep your baby warm during the duration of your pregnancy.

Genetics will determine the shape and hair color of the eyebrows and will become prominent with time. But some features start to set in by 22 weeks of pregnancy as mentioned.

At what age do babies get their eyebrows growing?

babies with eyebrows

After birth eyebrows start becoming distinguished but not all the time. It can take anywhere from 3 months to a year for baby eyebrows to grow fully. The speed of eyebrow growth in babies depends on the individual baby.

Some babies are born with a few already visible eyebrows, while others won’t have any until they’re a few months old.

As newborns lose the hair they are born with by the time they are six months old, eyebrows often become lighter in color. There is no need to be concerned about this transition, it is very natural.

As your baby grows and develops, its eyebrows will return in a few weeks or months. The higher amounts of estrogen and progesterone that aid in sustaining a healthy pregnancy also lead some pregnant people’s hair to thicken, which is the cause of prominent eyebrows at first and later thinning down.

Through the umbilical cord, the same hormones encourage hair development in your unborn child as well. That explains why some people have black eyebrows at first and gradually lighten them.

Is there any reason to get worried if your baby’s eyebrows are not grown yet?

No, as eventually, the eyebrows will become clear and dark hair with time. It depends on the genetics and development milestones, each baby is different so the time frame is usually 3 months to a year or year and a half.

Whether the eyebrows develop sooner or later, it’s normal either way.  Plus, you need to look at genetics. If mommy or daddy has fewer eyebrow hair, it could be one of the reasons why your little ones’ eyebrows are not showing yet.

They might take longer for preemies, but eventually, they’ll grow. I will mention what preemies are later in the article.

But on the other hand, do consult your doctor if you notice any skin condition and if you are doubtful then don’t delay seeing your pediatrician.

Now let’s take a look at those conditions resulting in eyebrow loss.

What medical conditions cause falling out?

baby sleeping

Some medical conditions will affect eyebrows. These are

Cradle crape

Seborrheic dermatitis, or a skin rash that only affects a baby’s scalp, is sometimes referred to as “cradle cap.” The cradle cap may also spread to other regions, such as the eyebrows.

Going by the name “cradle cap,” parents may assume their baby has atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema and a common skin condition) if they notice patches on their little one’s eyebrows or forehead.

Symptoms

The skin doesn’t itch with a cradle cap, unlike other skin rashes like eczema. The infant may develop a cradle cap on sites other than the scalp, such as:

  • eyebrows
  • ears
  • back of the neck
  • skin folds
  • diaper area

Plus associated symptoms are

  • patchy scales
  • oily or dry skin with flaky white or yellow scales
  • skin flakes
  • redness

Causes

Experts are still unsure of the precise etiology of cradle caps. However, hypotheses focus on the likelihood that hormones may be transferred from the delivering parent to the unborn child. The oil glands in the hair follicles may produce an excessive amount of oil (sebum) as a result. That might be what started it.

Treatment Options

  • Apply mild baby shampoo, This advice may be helpful if your baby’s brows have flakes or scales. You should brush your baby’s eyebrows to assist loosen and remove flakes, just like you brush your baby’s hair every day (if they have hair!)
  • Always be gentle while brushing, and do it once daily. Baby brushes that are soft and minimize irritability are often available and made particularly for cradle caps.
  • Avoid commercial products.
  • Check with your pediatrician.

Stress

Stress-induced hair loss or telogen effluvium( is a scalp disorder characterized by excessive shedding of hair. Several factors such as drugs, trauma, and emotional and physiological stress can lead to the development of telogen effluvium. )

can occur in babies after a bout of illnesses such as high fever, reaction to certain medications, injury, and nutrition disorders. Hair loss usually occurs 3 months after the stressful event occurs.

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune conditions such as alopecia areata cause an individual’s immune system to attack their hair follicles, causing hair to fall out.

You might notice smooth rounded patches of hair loss on your baby’s head and eyebrows. Consult your pediatrician in such a case.

What can be done to make eyebrows grow?

baby

The following steps should be taken to improve the eyebrows of your baby.

Diet and nutrition

Give your child a healthy diet other than breastfeeding. A healthy diet and nutrition will help him/ her grow better hair. It should be rich in proteins and vitamins. Give them healthy fats.

Let’s take a look at the list of healthy food for your baby.

  • Carrot juice
  • Sprouts
  • Broccoli
  • Fresh Orange juice
  • Cabbage
  • Peaches
  • Kiwi fruit
  • Eggs
  • Legumes
  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Fish

Breast milk

The best source is breastfeeding, a combination of fats and protein for better skin and hair.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is a remedy rich in Vitamins like A, B12, C, and E. These all contribute to healthy glowing skin and hair growth.

Apply a thin layer of aloe vera pulp or gel onto your baby’s eyebrow region. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing with water or using gentle baby wipes to remove the gel.

Make sure to use a natural aloe vera product that is free of additives such as artificial fragrances that can irritate your baby’s sensitive skin.

Coconut oil

Massage your baby’s eyebrow in the direction of hair growth with coconut oil. Coconut oil is safe on your little one’s delicate skin and helps to improve hair growth. It can also help strengthen and improve a baby’s skin.

Wait for the growth of hair and be patient

Keep giving your baby healthy food and apply natural oils as mentioned he/ she might grow her eyebrows sooner. Stay calm and patient. They will grow by taking these mentioned steps.

Preemie’s Eyebrows

These are eyebrows in premature babies which are not fully developed and might be thinner. But with time they will fill in as hair follicle matures.

Red eyebrows

If you notice the red coloration of eyebrows that might be due to an allergic reaction to breastfeeding mum has nuts or dairy. So keep in check with that too. Or the baby may be tired.

Conclusion

Many features come in mothers’ wombs and eyebrows are no exception.

  • If you are concerned about your baby’s eyebrows not growing in and your doctor has assured you it will be okay, then no need to worry.
  • Most infant’s eyebrows grow within a couple of weeks. The eyebrow color can change with time as well.
  • What begins to be small and light hair can become brown or black hair in a few weeks or months.
  • All babies are beautiful. Respect and enjoy the process of growth of your baby, take care of their diet and health, and enjoy your little one.

Faqs:

How can I improve my baby’s eyebrows?

Massage the hair follicles under the brows to encourage hair growth. Twice a day, you may massage the area with a brush in circular strokes. Hair development may be accelerated by nourishing your brows. Using a Q-tip, you may apply petroleum jelly, castor oil, and even olive oil.

What natural home remedies help eyebrows?

Fenugreek Seed for a natural remedy:

Protein and nicotinic acid found in abundance in it promote thicker, faster-growing hair. Fenugreek seeds should be ground into a paste using a teaspoon and a few drops of coconut oil. Give your eyebrows a good coating of the DIY pack and let it sit overnight. In the morning, wash it off.

What causes flaky skin on eyebrows?

There are a number of possible reasons for brow dandruff. These include contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and dry skin. A person might benefit from working with a doctor or pediatric dermatologist to get a complete diagnosis for ongoing symptoms and effective therapy for the underlying problem.

Why are my baby’s eyebrows blonde?

Their hair follicles may begin as extremely light blonde hair and gradually deepen. Their brows’ lightness or darkness will all rely on their genetic makeup. Baby hair thickens throughout time, giving way to more pronounced eyebrows.

References

https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/cradle-cap-eyebrows#recovery-timeline

https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/october/common-causes-of-paediatric-alopecia