>What I am getting at is that foods should have NOTHING to do with how
>baby hair sticks up.  That would be also be a factor of short legnth and
>fineness (not heavy enough to stay down and static electricity).

Teriann,
I always assumed that it was the manner in which the follicle held the
hair that caused the hair to "stick up"; I've never thought it was the
hair itself being stiff.  I picture the hair follicle kind of like a
Christmas tree stand (okay, so it's not the best analogy I've ever come
up with), and if tightened, things stand up straight; when loose, they
can droop more.   Opposite goals for a hair versus a tree, but I hope
I've conveyed the right picture. I can visualize an allergy causing a
follicle to stiffen or whatever, since allergies can do so many other
things to the body.

Regarding other's comments on hair issues and how not all of these babies
grow up to have terrible allergies---- yes, I believe that.  Keeping in
mind that babies tend to be more sensitive to foods during the first
three or four months of life (probably until the gut matures and
"tightens up the net"), however, it still makes sense to me that newborns
will present this way and be okay later on.

Also, I don't think anyone is saying that all allergic babies should
present this way; it is *one* presentation among many possible symptoms.
What I think is being said is that there may be reason to be suspicious
*if* a baby's hair sticks up.  My own thoughts?  If mom has no complaints
about baby, I may mention this to her but do so casually. If, however,
baby has been having a difficult time, I will encourage mom to pursue
elimination.

-Lisa Marasco, BA, IBCLC