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You must have heard it a zillion times, from friends, family and even your doctor. Eating a nutritious diet that is well-balanced and meets all the nutritional requirements of you and your baby is vital during pregnancy. You can’t compromise on your diet when you are carrying a baby inside you. And the things that you feed your body is ultimately what’s going to help in the overall growth and development of your baby. And that includes the baby’s hair as well. So, if you want your baby’s hair to grow during pregnancy, the key is to focus on your diet.
When Does The Baby’s Hair Start To Grow?
Your baby’s scalp hair starts to form when you are in the 15th week of your pregnancy, during the second trimester (1). By the time you hit week 22, baby’s eyebrows and scalp hair start to become visible.
It’s a known fact that food helps hair growth. If you are not getting adequate vitamins and minerals, your hair will have to pay the price for it. Similarly, it might also affect your baby’s hair growth when you are pregnant. Here is a list of foods that is essential for hair growth:
1. Eggs
Our hair is made up of protein. So it’s important to get enough protein in your diet (2). Eggs are a great source of protein (3). It also contains biotin that facilitates hair growth. Deficiency of biotin can cause thinning of hair. Eggs also contain L-lysine and other minerals that promote hair growth. Vegetables such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, and spinach are also great sources of biotin. So, if you are a vegan, you can substitute these instead of eggs (4).
2. Vitamin D
According to some research, vitamin D can improve hair growth (5). It also helps in nerve, muscle, and immune system functions. Fortified foods also tend to have lots of vitamin D. These include breakfast cereals, soy milk, orange juice, and yogurt. Fatty fish, cheese and mushrooms are also other sources of vitamin D.
3. Fatty Fish
Healthy fats are important for not just our hair, but skin and eyes too (6) . Fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D for hair growth. Fatty fish also reduces the risk of having a stroke or heart attack. Fishes which contain omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, and herring. If you follow a vegan diet, you can go for plant-based sources such as walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, soybean oil, canola oil, algae, and fortified foods.
4. L-lysine
L-lysine is an amino acid that promotes hair growth (7). It is also present in the roots of the hair, giving it shape and volume. It also comes in the form of supplements. Deficiency of L-lysine can cause hair loss. Beans, lentils, nuts, spirulina, eggs, and meat are foods that contain L-lysine.
5. Brazil Nuts
Selenium is a mineral present in brazil nuts that may boost hair growth (8). Bear in mind, an excessive amount of selenium in your diet can make your hair brittle, causing hair loss. It can also lead to skin rashes and nausea. You can consume a maximum of 400 micrograms of selenium per day. Brazil nuts are excellent sources of selenium offering 68-91 micrograms in every nut. Selenium is also present in milk and other dairy products, eggs, meat such as liver and fish, and also in cereals and bread.
Though these foods may help in promoting hair growth in your baby, genes might also have a role to play in the hair growth of your little one. Make sure you include all these foods in your diet and also remain stress-free during your pregnancy. If you have any concerns or queries about your diet, you can also consult a dietician to have a diet plan that works for you and your baby.
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