No, babies generally do not stay hairy. Most of the hair present at birth, often referred to as lanugo, is temporary.
What is Lanugo?
Lanugo is the soft, downy hair that covers many babies in the womb. This source explains that lanugo is typically shed before birth, but some newborns still have it. Premature babies are more likely to have lanugo than full-term babies. The amount of lanugo varies greatly between babies.
- Temporary Hair: Most of this lanugo will fall out within a few weeks after birth. This article confirms that about a third of babies are born with lanugo.
- Premature Babies: Premature babies are more likely to have more lanugo at birth and may retain it for longer. This source states that it's normal for a newborn baby to have body hair, especially if born prematurely.
- Shedding Process: The lanugo usually sheds naturally. According to this source, if your child is born with lanugo, it will most likely fall out on its own within a few weeks. However, it’s normal for it to last longer, especially if your baby is a preemie.
While some babies might retain a bit of hair in certain areas, it's typically not the same extensive covering present at birth. After the vernix (the white, waxy coating on a baby's skin) is removed, small amounts of lanugo may remain for a short time. As noted here.
It's important to note that a hairy patch could be indicative of conditions like Spina Bifida. According to this resource on Spina Bifida a child may have a hairy patch as one symptom of this condition. However, the presence of lanugo itself is not generally a cause for concern.
