AI disclosure: this content, including any imagery, was artificially generated.

Will my baby have curly hair? Curl pattern is inherited from both parents, and curly hair is generally dominant over straight. If one or both parents have curls, your baby has a good chance of curly or wavy hair — but because several genes shape hair texture, two curly-haired parents can still have a straight-haired child, and vice versa.

What decides curly hair

Curl comes from the shape of the hair follicle and the way the strand grows. Oval or asymmetrical follicles produce curls; round follicles produce straight hair. Several genes influence follicle shape, with curly generally acting as dominant over straight.

Because texture is polygenic, it lands on a spectrum — straight, wavy, curly, coily — rather than a simple on/off. This mirrors how other features blend, as explained in dominant and recessive traits in babies.

Key takeaways

• Curly is usually dominant over straight.
• Two curly parents most often have curly or wavy children.
• Texture can change dramatically in the first few years.
• Two straight-haired parents rarely have very curly children, but waves are possible.

Curl odds by parent combination

• Curly + Curly: most likely curly, sometimes wavy, occasionally straight if both carry a straight allele.
• Curly + Straight: often wavy or curly, since curly tends to dominate.
• Straight + Straight: usually straight, with a chance of waves.

Why newborn hair is misleading

A baby’s very first hair is fine and soft and often gives no clue to their future texture. Many babies are born with straight hair that becomes wavy or curly once their mature hair grows in, typically over the first two to three years.

Can straight baby hair turn curly?

Yes. As the follicle matures and thicker adult-type hair replaces the newborn fuzz, texture can shift from straight to wavy or curly. Hormonal changes later in childhood and puberty can nudge it further. So a straight-haired baby is not a guarantee of straight hair for life.

Will My Baby Have Curly Hair? Quick Recap

Will my baby have curly hair depends on both parents, with curly usually winning over straight — though a baby’s true texture may not appear until age two or three.

Frequently asked questions

At what age will I know if my baby has curly hair?

Usually by age two or three, once the fine newborn hair is replaced, you’ll see whether your baby has curly, wavy, or straight hair.

Can two straight-haired parents have a curly-haired baby?

Full curls are unlikely, but waves are possible if a straight-haired parent carries a curl allele. Texture genetics is not perfectly predictable.

When does a baby’s true hair texture appear?

Usually by age two to three, once the newborn hair is replaced by mature hair.

Is curl pattern only from one parent?

No. Both parents contribute genes for hair texture.

Curious how your baby’s hair and face might combine? Try the MixMyBaby generator, or read the MedlinePlus guide to curly hair.