One of the most important things you can do for your baby is to provide a nutrient rich diet of quality whole foods. Not only will choosing nutritious whole foods over processed foods and convenience foods promote optimum physical health and brain development, but these foods will also grow your baby’s hair. Hair needs nutrients in order to achieve standard rates of growth.

Foods Rich in B Vitamins

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the B vitamins are essential to healthy hair. That is because of the important role those vitamins play in delivering vital nutrients and oxygen to the scalp, via their contribution to the creation of red blood cells. Vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are a part of the process of hemoglobin production. Because B vitamins are so essential to health and well-being, many foods come with B vitamins added, such as cereals, breads, and pastas. Eating a varied diet daily is important to getting enough of each of the B vitamins. That diet should include whole grains, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, beans, legumes, dark green leafy vegetables, bananas, and potatoes. Nuts should not be given to babies, except in a ground form, like peanut butter or almond butter, as whole nuts are a choking hazard. Follow a pediatrician’s advice concerning the food introduction schedule.

Smart Protein Foods

The hair is made of protein and the body needs enough of that nutrient in order for hair to be healthy and strong as it grows. Choosing smart protein foods means selecting those that offer the maximum benefit while not loading the body with the food additives found in most processed foods and fast foods. Choosing protein sources such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel ensures the body gets valuable Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, also good for growing hair, as noted by the University of Maryland Medical Center, along with the protein. Beans, eggs, and dairy products are also good protein food choices.

Foods Rich in Vitamin A

While it is common knowledge that vitamin A is good for the eyes, it may not be so commonly known how important this nutrient is to healthy hair. Vitamin A, has important functions in the body, helping in the process of red blood cell production and assisting the body in utilizing protein. Vitamin A also helps in the production and regulation of hormones, which influences hair growth, among numerous other critical functions. Deep yellow orange fruits and vegetables, such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, papaya, carrots, and mango, are rich sources of this nutrient. Other sources include butter, milk, eggs, and deep green leafy vegetables.