Hair Development

Lanugo (Fine Body Hair)

Fine hair covering baby's body for warmth and protection, usually shed before birth.

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Development Timeline

Weeks 16-40

Overview

Lanugo is the fine, soft hair that covers your baby's entire body starting around week 16. This downy hair helps hold vernix caseosa on the skin and may help regulate temperature.

The hair typically peaks around weeks 28-30 when baby is covered head to toe. Then it gradually sheds, and most babies are born with minimal lanugo. Hair is swallowed and becomes part of meconium (first poop).

Premature babies often have more lanugo visible at birth, while post-term babies have none. Some full-term babies have lanugo on shoulders, back, or ears that sheds within the first few weeks.

🗓️ Week-by-Week Milestones

Week 16

Lanugo begins growing

Week 20

Body covered with fine hair

Week 28

Peak lanugo coverage

Week 32

Lanugo beginning to shed

Week 36

Most lanugo gone

Week 40

Minimal lanugo at birth

👀 What to Expect

•Most of it sheds before birth
•Full-term babies may have some on shoulders/back
•Falls out within weeks if present at birth
•Very fine and soft
•Baby swallows lanugo (part of meconium)
•More common in darker-haired babies

💡 Tips for Parents

✓Lanugo is temporary and normal
✓Helps hold vernix on skin
✓Preemies have more visible lanugo
✓Sheds naturally in womb and after birth
✓Different from permanent hair
✓Not a sign of how hairy baby will be

✨ Amazing Facts

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The word lanugo means "downy" in Latin

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Shed lanugo becomes part of first bowel movement

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All babies develop lanugo, but not all have it at birth

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Purpose isn't fully understood but likely for warmth

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Completely different from permanent hair