Modern Mama Life

Foods that grow your baby’s hair while you are pregnant

Just in case you were wondering, it is definitely possible for you to promote and consume foods that grow your baby’s hair while your are pregnant. Fetal hair growth begins in week 14 of pregnancy and further develops by week 19. Although hormonal fluctuations affect hair loss in expectant mothers, a balanced diet and proper nutrition should do the trick!

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From my own personal experience, I suffered extreme hairfall due to PCOD and had very thin hair for about 10 years. My sister on the other hand has way too much hair which is hard to manage. My mother always told me that it was all because of the specific food that she ate which gave my sister all that hair. I never expected that this would work for my baby, but to our surprise, he was born with a head full of hair, straight, thick and shiny! We tend to receive a lot of advice from people about foods we must eat whilst others predict that if we have heartburn, it implies that the baby has a lot of hair. As a first-time mom, I believed everything! Here’s my view on this myth at the end of the post.

I know this sounds really silly, but pregnancy makes us believe crazy things, it make us so curious about every minor detail and every small symptom we’re having. Especially in the third trimester, we start dreaming about what our baby will look like and how much hair they’re going to have. Sometimes the doctor can tell you about certain features of the baby which brings up your excitement even more.

My Secret for Eating Better During Pregnancy

Knowing what to eat everyday was a huge challenge for me but actually finding recipes was another challenge altogether. Some days were extremely exhausting and other days, I had cravings that by then end of the day instead of cooking something healthy, I ended up ordering in.

Can Food really make your baby’s hair grow?

Well, the truth is no food can guarantee how much hair your baby will have at birth. Majority of the factors come from genetics. However, your baby’s hair follicles begin to develop early in the womb (week 14) which means you are still providing the nutrients to your baby for their development. Therefore, you still have a bit of control in that area.

The foods that are highly effective are those high in protein, vitamin D and nuts & seeds. Here are some of the foods that grow your baby’s hair.

1. Eggs. Hair is generally made of keratin which is a protein. One food I ate every single day was eggs. Two eggs for breakfast. When you feel exhausted and don’t have the energy to make something complicated, eggs are an easy go-to breakfast packed with nutrition.
2. Salmon. Well, to be honest I’m not very fond of fish. But I do consume fish like Pomfret and King fish to make up for my nutrients. Fish with omega-3 is extremely beneficial for your baby’s brain development and also supports healthy skin. Healthy skin is co-related to healthy hair. Salmon is also very rich in protein so that’s another plus. If you aren’t a fish lover like me you can try other foods high in omega 3 like nuts or dairy products.
3. Spinach is an excellent source of Iron. Iron is one of the most important contributors for hair growth as it transports oxygen to the hair follicles boosting its growth. If you don’t like leafy greens, try adding it to a smoothie, a pasta dish or an omelette.
4. Nuts and seeds. During pregnancy, it is very common to have cravings. For me, most of these cravings did not include healthy food. Keeping a box with almonds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds within your reach can help avoid going for less nutritious foods. Although they are small, they are highly beneficial in your baby’s growth providing lots of protein, zinc and vitamin E.
5. Avocados are a great option too as they are a high source of healthy fats and contain Vitamin B & E. They are creamy and very nutritious which play a crucial role in the baby’s development. They are also beneficial for post-partum hair loss too. As a healthy snack or a breakfast, try avocado toast with a squeeze of lemon.

Additionally, you can include coconut water, legumes, fruit and vegetables in your diet. These help not only with hair growth, but also with brain development of the baby.

The Myth about heartburn and your baby’s hair

So it is a well known fact that if you experience heartburn towards the 7th month of pregnancy, it suggests that your baby has a lot of hair. Well, there have been studies resulting in a connection between these two. But I would’nt rely on that alone.

In my case, I had severe heartburn and just couldn’t get myself to fall asleep because of it. Although, this myth turned out to be true in my case, I wouldn’t suggest that you rely purely on my experience. There are several other women who experienced the same as me and had babies with very little hair. While others had no complain of heartburn and had babies with a bunch of hair.

In conclusion, instead of spending time on the appearance of your baby which is not in your control, it is important that you nourish your baby with lots of healthy food. Whether your baby arrives with just a few strands of hair or a whole bunch, it won’t change the love you have for your little one.

💜 Looking for easy pregnancy nutrition ideas?

Grab my Pregnancy Smoothies & Snacks Recipe Book packed with delicious recipes designed for every trimester.

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Things I wish I knew before becoming a mother – Modern Mama Life