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When Does Your Foetus Start to Develop Eyelashes & Brows?
When you enter the second trimester of your pregnancy journey, typically between the 12th and 16th week, the formation of your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes starts taking place. At this point, hair follicles start to develop in the areas above the eyes and along the eyelids.Around week 20, these follicles become more active, and fine hair strands start to show up. These hairs are very soft and light, but that’s a key step in the formation of your baby’s face.
How Do Eyebrows & Eyelashes Form Inside the Womb?
The formation of your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes follows a defined manner that takes place on its own with the growth of your baby.Hair follicles develop
The epidermis, which is the outermost layer of your baby’s skin, aids in the formation of hair follicles. These follicles determine the areas where hair growth takes place, such as the eyebrows and eyelashes.
Lanugo hair formation
The initial hair your baby develops is called lanugo hair. It is delicate, fine hair that covers most of the body. Eyebrows and eyelashes also begin as lanugo hair before becoming more defined.
Pigment development
Pigment cells add colour to the hair as pregnancy progresses. This is why eyebrows and eyelashes look darker closer to birth, though some babies have very light hair during birth.
Why Are Eyebrows & Eyelashes Important for Your Baby?
Even after being tiny in size, eyebrows and eyelashes keep your baby’s eyes protected after your baby is born.- Eyelashes keep sweat, dust particles, and small particles out of your baby’s eyes.
- Eyebrows help keep moisture away from the eyes, which offers an additional layer of protection.
How Do Eyelashes & Eyebrows Appear Before Your Baby Is Born?
Your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes are completely formed during the last few months of pregnancy, though they are still delicate and fine. While some babies are born with noticeable brows and lashes, others may have light or very thin hair.This is a common variation which is mostly determined by genetics, hormone levels, and ethnicity.
Is Your Baby’s Hair Development Influenced by Your Health & Nutrition Intake?
How healthy you stay physically plays a crucial role in influencing the growth of your baby’s hair, such as the eyebrows and eyelashes formation. The nutrients that contribute majorly are:- Protein, which supports hair structure formation
- Iron helps with the supply of oxygen to the growing tissues
- Zinc is involved in the process of cell development
- Biotin and other B vitamins help strengthen the hair
Can Stress or Other Health Issues Disrupt This Process?
The development process of your baby’s hair can be affected if you suffer from nutritional deficiencies, infections, or chronic stress while being pregnant. However, common illnesses or mild stress usually do not cause problems.Consistent prenatal check-ups aid in spotting and handling possible issues early, which supports your baby’s healthy growth.
What Can You Do to Support Healthy Development?
Even though you cannot directly control when your baby’s eyebrows and eyelashes grow, you can still encourage your baby’s well-being by creating healthy routines.- Go to all prenatal check-ups
- Maintain a healthy diet regularly
- Ensure you take enough rest
- Practice relaxation techniques to help keep yourself calm
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Social & Emotional Factors
Understanding your baby’s growth milestones, no matter how small they are, often strengthens emotional connection. Knowing that your baby's eyebrows and eyelashes are taking their shapes can make your journey feel more real and personal.Sharing these moments with your loved ones can develop an emotional connection. It also helps reduce stress, reminding you that your baby is growing naturally and steadily.
What to Do Next?
- Follow your doctor's nutritional advice
- Continue prenatal supplements as instructed
- Maintain healthy daily routines
- If you have any concerns, clear your doubts during check-ups
- Share these small wins with your loved ones
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on When and How Baby’s Eyelashes and Eyebrows Begin to Form
- Do all newborns have visible eyebrows and eyelashes?
Not necessarily. Some newborns have very light or fine lashes and brows at birth, which become more apparent over time. - Does the hair volume of your newborn specify their future growth?
No, the thickness of a baby’s eyelashes or eyebrows at birth doesn’t determine how thick they’ll grow in the future. - Can sonography scans show eyebrows and eyelashes?
In most routine scans, these fine details aren't clearly visible. Their development is usually confirmed after birth.
