Baby Bald Spot Guide: Hair Rubbing & Silk Bedding Resources

If you’ve noticed a bald spot or rubbed-looking patch on your baby’s head, you’re definitely not alone.

Many parents notice thinning hair at the back of the head during the first months of life.

Very often, it comes down to something simple:

friction from repeated rubbing.

This guide brings together our most helpful resources for parents trying to understand baby bald spots, hair rubbing, sleep friction and how smoother fabrics may help create a gentler surface for delicate baby hair.

Start Here

• Baby bald spot FAQ — common questions parents ask about baby bald spots, sleep friction and hair rubbing.
• Why do babies get bald spots from sleeping? — a clear explanation of how repeated rubbing during sleep can affect delicate baby hair.
• Baby rubbing hair away — what parents can do when hair looks rubbed off or thinner in one area.

Bedding, Friction & Baby Hair

• Can bedding cause baby bald spots? — how bedding can become one of the biggest sources of repeated rubbing.
• Best bedding for baby bald spots — what parents often look for when choosing a smoother, lower-friction sleep surface.
• Is silk good for baby hair? — why many parents choose silk for delicate baby hair and hair rubbing.

Hair Growth & Reassurance

• How to help baby hair grow — practical, realistic things parents can do while baby hair grows back naturally.

Why Baby Bald Spots Happen

Baby bald spots are very common, especially in the first months.

Babies spend a lot of time lying down, and delicate hair can repeatedly rub against bedding, bouncers, car seats, loungers and other fabrics.

Over time, that repeated friction can sometimes make hair look thinner or worn away in one area.

For many babies, the back of the head is most affected because that’s where most of the rubbing happens during sleep.

Why Bedding Comes Up So Often

Babies spend many hours sleeping every day.

That means bedding is often one of the main surfaces their hair rubs against.

When parents notice a bald spot, they often start thinking about:

• fabric texture
• sleep friction
• cot sheets
• Moses basket sheets
• bedside crib sheets
• bouncers and car seats
• how to reduce rubbing where possible

This is why many families explore The Little Silk’s mulberry silk baby bedding collection while looking for a smoother sleep surface.

What About Bouncers, Chairs & Car Seats?

Rubbing doesn’t only happen during sleep.

Many parents also notice hair rubbing in bouncers, car seats, swings, loungers and baby chairs.

For supervised awake time, some parents use a larger silk pillowcase over the area where baby’s head rests most.

Many families use our adult silk pillowcase for this because the larger size can be easier to position over wider baby gear.

Only use this during supervised awake time. For sleep, always follow current safe sleep guidance.

A Note On Safe Sleep

Baby bald spots from sleeping can feel frustrating, but safe sleep always comes first.

Do not change your baby’s sleep position just to reduce hair rubbing.

Always follow current safe sleep guidance appropriate for your baby’s age and sleep setup.

You can read the latest safer sleep advice from The Lullaby Trust.

At The Little Silk, our partnership with The Lullaby Trust reflects our commitment to breathable, comfortable bedding designed with safer sleep in mind.

Explore Silk Baby Bedding

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

Our mulberry silk baby bedding is designed to feel smooth against delicate baby hair, breathable overnight and gentle during movement.

Explore silk baby bedding →

Last reviewed: May 2026