Mothers monitor closely the growth pattern of their newborns. Also, there is the tendency to compare the growth rate of your baby to others.
And after the comparison, questions and worries arise. One of the common questions first-time parents often ask centers on eyebrows.
So Do Babies Have Eyebrows?
Some parents scrutinize their baby’s face and fail to see eyebrows. The question that often follows is, do babies have eyebrows?
Yes, babies have eyebrows. However, some babies are born with eyebrows, and still, others are born with no visible signs of eyebrows.
But whether there are eyebrows or not at birth, your little angel is perfectly normal. You shouldn’t worry much, at least not yet.
The growth pattern (including the emergence of eyebrows) in newborns differs from one child to another.
And When Do Eyebrows Form On Babies?
While still in the womb at around 22 weeks, the formation of eyebrows begins. First, it starts with the development of the hair follicle.
Then the hair, including eyebrows, develops. So that means the growth of eyebrows begins before birth.
Do Newborns Come Out with Eyebrows?
At birth, some infants already have dark and clearly defined eyebrows. So that makes them easy to notice. On the other hand, other babies seem not to have hair at birth.
In such cases, the hairs may be thin, light, and, therefore, hard to spot. Further, the color of the eyebrows may make them almost invisible.
So if you think that the infant has no eyebrows, check out again. You may be mistaken. When you take the child to a well-lit room, you may spot out a few hair strands.
Remember Eyebrows May Take Weeks Before you See Them
After birth, some children take about 2 or 3 months to grow visible eyebrows. Others also take a short duration to register the same growth pattern.
In most cases, the thin and light eyebrows get full in a few weeks. Also, children born with thick hair on the head normally have distinct eyebrows at birth.
However, infants who register bald heads usually have little to no eyebrows at birth. Remember, the growth and color of the eyebrows depend on the baby’s genetics.
Should I Worry If My Baby Has No Eyebrows?
You have no cause for worry. As pointed out, the growth of eyebrows begins at around 22 weeks of pregnancy. However, it may take a while after birth for you to spot the hair.
The duration may stretch from a week, a few weeks, months, to even a year. In other words, it’s hard to pinpoint the exact time when the eyebrows grow fully.
It’s also possible your baby has eyebrows or they have begun to appear and you haven’t spotted them. For instance, blonde eyebrows are hard to pinpoint. Even a camera won’t capture such hair type. Sometimes the eyebrows begin like peach fuzz.
Since genetics also play a part, the nature of the parent’s eyebrows matters. If one or both parents have sparse eyebrows, then even the child’s eyebrows may take a longer time to develop.
Can I Boost the Growth Rate of Eyebrows with Commercial Products?
Many products claim to provide a boost for the growth of eyebrows. However tempting it seems to you, it isn’t a wise idea.
The baby’s sensitive skin may not blend well with the harsh chemicals in commercial products. Babies constantly rub their eyes and touch their mouths. So in such a case, the child may spread the chemical to the eyes or mouth unknowingly,
As an alternative many mothers advocate for the following. But note that any of these two methods have no scientific backup:
Use of Massage Oils
You can use the usual baby massage oils to massage the eyebrows. The oils include coconut and olive oil.
But make sure they are 100 percent pure (food grade quality). And while massaging, ensure you don’t go against the growth pattern of the eyebrows.
Aloe Vera
Natural aloe vera also helps to boost hair growth. So harvest the fresh pulp of the aloe vera plant. Then gently apply it to the eyebrows. Leave the setup for a couple of minutes before rinsing off. Do not fall for aloe vera-based lotions.
What of Drawing the Eyebrows?
That may seem like a quick and easy solution, but it isn’t a safe method. And safety should come first. Doing so puts the child at risk of developing rashes or breakouts.
Thus, don’t think of using marker pens on the young face. Besides, have you noticed that babies with or without eyebrows still look cute?
Why Did My Newborn’s Eyebrows Fall Out?
The falling off of eyebrows of an infant doesn’t necessarily mean a cause to worry.
Hair loss by itself is normal in babies. Often it happens in the first 3 to 6 months. And, it can be partial or complete hair loss. The initial hair sheds off and gives way to the permanent ones.
However, there are some children in which the two processes overlap, and hence hard to notice any difference.
Another cause of hair loss in newborns is Cradle Cap. The loss of hair may happen on the scalp and eyebrows.
Other giveaway symptoms of cradle cap include patchy scales, oily skin with yellow or white scales. Cradle Cap doesn’t cause any discomfort beyond the unpleasant look of the child. Usually, it doesn’t last beyond infancy.
But in case your instincts tell you the hair loss on the eyebrows isn’t normal, it’s wise to consult your doctor.
Do Babies Raise Their Eyebrows?
Right from birth, there are some emotions that even infants display. That includes happiness, sadness, and interest in an object.
Babies show their interest in an object by raising eyebrows. Furthermore, you may find the baby gazing at an object for a long duration. At times even the mouth forms a round shape.
Conclusion
Therefore, do babies have eyebrows? The formation of hair begins at the 22 weeks of pregnancy. At birth, babies have eyebrows. Some are more pronounced and easy to spot. Still, others are light, faint, and thus hardly noticeable.
Whether you can spot the baby’s eyebrows or not, you do not need to worry. It’s only a matter of time before you see the hair.
But that may take weeks or months. So be patient. Keep off commercial lotions and products that claim to boost the growth of eyebrows.
