Baby Bald Spot FAQ: Why It Happens & What Parents Can Do

You notice it one day.

Maybe during bath time. Maybe while brushing their hair. Maybe when the light catches it differently.

And suddenly you think:

“Wait… why is my baby getting a bald spot?”

If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.

Baby bald spots are incredibly common.

In fact, many parents notice hair thinning or rubbing at the back of the head in the first months of life.

The good news?

In most cases, it’s completely normal.

And very often, it comes down to something surprisingly simple:

friction from rubbing during sleep.

Because babies spend so much time lying down, the same area of delicate baby hair repeatedly rubs against bedding.

Over time, that friction can sometimes lead to:

• thinning hair
• bald patches
• flat-looking spots
• rubbing at the back of the head
• hair that looks worn away

Why Do Babies Get Bald Spots?

In many cases, baby bald spots happen because of repeated rubbing.

Babies spend a huge amount of time lying down. This is completely normal and also part of safer sleep guidance.

But because babies’ hair is extremely fine and delicate, repeated movement against fabric can sometimes wear it away.

Your baby might spend 12–16+ hours sleeping, plus time in a bouncer, swing, car seat or play mat.

That’s a lot of hours where the same area of hair is repeatedly rubbing against fabric.

For many babies, it’s simply sleep friction.

Is It Normal For Babies To Have Bald Spots?

Yes — incredibly normal.

Many babies go through a stage where hair looks thinner or patchier.

Sometimes this happens because newborn hair naturally sheds. Sometimes it’s caused by rubbing. Very often, it’s a combination of both.

In most cases, hair begins improving naturally as babies move more, sit up, spend less time lying down and become more mobile.

Can Sleeping Cause Baby Bald Spots?

In many cases, yes.

Not because sleep itself is the problem.

But because sleep means lots of rubbing.

Babies naturally move their heads from side to side. Some babies are especially wriggly sleepers.

Over time, repeated movement against bedding can create friction on delicate hair.

This is one reason baby bald spots are often found exactly where the head touches the mattress most.

What Is Friction Hair Loss In Babies?

Friction hair loss is exactly what it sounds like:

hair gradually rubbing away because of repeated movement against fabric.

In babies, this is very common because baby hair is super fine, delicate, still developing and easily affected by rubbing.

This is why many parents start paying closer attention to what their baby’s head is resting on for hours every day.

Can Bedding Make Baby Bald Spots Worse?

In many cases, yes — bedding is often one of the biggest contributors to baby bald spots caused by rubbing.

Why?

Because for many babies, the bedding is where most of the friction happens.

If your baby sleeps for long stretches and moves their head repeatedly against the same sleep surface, that rubbing adds up.

Over time, repeated friction can sometimes lead to thinning hair, worn-looking patches, rubbing at the back of the head and visible bald spots.

That doesn’t mean bedding is the only source of friction.

Parents also notice rubbing in baby bouncers, swings, loungers, car seats and play mats — anywhere the back of the head repeatedly moves against fabric.

But for most babies, sleep is where the majority of rubbing happens.

Which is why many parents begin thinking more carefully about the fabric their baby sleeps on.

Why Parents Consider Silk For Baby Bald Spots

Once parents realise the hair is rubbing away, the next question usually becomes:

“How do I reduce the friction?”

This is where silk often enters the conversation.

Silk has a naturally smooth surface.

Compared with traditional cotton, hair glides more easily across silk.

Many parents simply feel smoother fabric means less rubbing.

This is actually the same reason silk pillowcases became popular for adult hair care: less friction on hair, smoother movement and a gentler surface.

The logic for babies is very similar.

If delicate baby hair is rubbing against fabric for hours every day, a smoother sleep surface may simply make more sense.

Can Silk Help Prevent Baby Bald Spots?

Many parents choose silk because they want to reduce friction.

And honestly, that makes a lot of sense.

Silk cannot stop natural baby hair shedding or guarantee no bald spots.

However, if rubbing is the main reason for the thinning, many parents feel smoother bedding is worth trying.

The goal isn’t magic.

The goal is simply less friction.

A Simple Parent Trick For Bouncers & Chairs

This is something many parents love.

If your baby spends lots of time in a bouncer, baby chair, swing or lounger, you can place a silk pillowcase over the fabric area where baby’s head rests most.

Why?

Because rubbing doesn’t only happen during sleep.

It happens anywhere the head repeatedly moves against fabric.

A wider silk pillowcase can work especially well here because it gives more coverage across the head-rest area.

For this, many parents use our adult silk pillowcase because the larger size can be easier to position over wider bouncers, chairs or loungers.

Always make sure anything added to a bouncer or chair is secure, supervised and used only while baby is awake. For sleep, always follow current safe sleep guidance.

Cotton vs Silk For Baby Hair

Cotton works perfectly well for many babies.

But cotton has more texture than silk, which can mean more friction during movement.

For babies with very fine hair that’s constantly rubbing, many parents simply feel silk makes more sense.

Not because cotton is bad.

But because silk is smoother.

And smoother may mean less rubbing against delicate baby hair.

When Should You Worry About A Baby Bald Spot?

Most baby bald spots are completely normal.

But it’s worth checking with a healthcare professional if you notice:

• redness
• irritation
• scaling
• broken skin
• unusual patches
• severe or sudden hair loss
• signs baby seems uncomfortable

For most babies though, a bald spot from rubbing is much more common than parents realise.

FAQs About Baby Bald Spots

Why does my baby have a bald spot?

Many babies develop bald spots because delicate hair repeatedly rubs against bedding during sleep.

Is a baby bald spot normal?

Yes — very normal. Most babies experience some hair thinning or rubbing in the first months.

Can sleeping cause baby bald spots?

In many cases, yes. Repeated rubbing during sleep is one of the most common reasons parents notice hair loss at the back of the head.

Can bedding make baby bald spots worse?

Often, yes. Because babies spend so many hours sleeping, bedding is often one of the biggest sources of friction.

Can silk help with baby bald spots?

Many parents choose silk because its smoother surface may help reduce friction against delicate baby hair.

Will my baby’s hair grow back?

In many cases, yes. Hair often improves naturally as babies become more mobile and spend less time rubbing the same area.

Related Reading

• Is silk bedding safe for babies?
• Baby eczema & sensitive skin FAQ
• Best bedding for babies with eczema
• Best fabric for baby eczema

Looking For A Gentler Sleep Surface For Baby Hair?

Many parents discover The Little Silk after noticing hair rubbing or bald spots caused by sleep friction.

Our mulberry silk bedding is designed to feel smooth against delicate hair, gentle during movement, breathable overnight, softer than traditional cotton and lower friction during sleep.

Because when your baby spends so much time asleep, the surface they sleep on matters.

Explore silk baby bedding →

Last reviewed: May 2026