Coping with hair loss

From the time they can reach and grab, babies like to feel their mother's hair. It's a part of the warmth and nurturing process, especially during feeding time. As they grow up, little girls often like to play hairdresser with their mother, and boys often get a kick out of pulling their mom's ponytail. So it's natural that hair loss could be an issue for some kids. One patient's children, too young to understand what breast cancer was all about, thought she had a “hair disease.” All they could see was that she'd lost her hair.

Try to prepare your children for your hair loss before it occurs, reassuring them that it will grow back. Let them help you pick out a wig or scarves.

Some children may be frightened by your bald head. The more positive you and your partner can be about it, the better. If your kids are old enough, you can assert your “coolness” by going bald. But if they are still scared despite your best efforts, it may be best to keep it covered when they are around.