This 5-month-old’s hair has strangers stopping in their tracks

Noah Yanez is a 5-month-old Oregon toddler who’s stealing hearts—and causing double-takes—everywhere he goes. Why? His thick, luscious hair has earned him nicknames ranging from “Justin Bieber” to “real-life Cabbage Patch doll.”

TikTok can’t get enough of his “big hair, don’t care” vibes

“He was born ready for a haircut,” his mom, Liliana Yanez, tells Today, a sentiment echoed by everyone who sees him. In videos on her TikTok account, Noah rocks a bedhead that screams “big hair, don’t care,” prompting fans to gush over his head of hair. “He has so much hair ppl ask if it’s a wig,” Yanez captioned one post. On a recent video that has now accumulated 1.2 million views, she calls him, “BABY PAULY D IN THE HOUSE.” in the caption.

What people are saying

Comments flooded in with all kinds of funny responses and pop culture comparisons:

• “Tell me you had heartburn during pregnancy without telling me you had heartburn during pregnancy.” – @chinita_rr13
• “That’s a baby Johnny bravo if I have ever seen one.” – @whittyelise
• “Bros already go better hair than Steve Harrington.” – @alexguettlein
• “Elvis reincarnated 🥰.” – @alexiatrix
• “Edward in the first twilight lol😂” – @b.ro619

Related: Baby enters the world with one unforgettable feature—and now strangers stop his mom daily

Why some babies are born with lots of hair

Pediatricians say a baby’s first hairstyle usually comes down to a mix of genetics, hormones, and timing in the womb. Many babies develop a fine fuzz called lanugo in late pregnancy to help regulate temperature; most shed it before birth, but some arrive with it still in place.

Maternal estrogen can also stimulate hair growth, which explains why some newborns show up with thick locks. But that look is often temporary—newborn hair tends to shed in the first six months and grow back in a different color or texture. A dark-haired baby may turn blonde, and waves can surprise parents by growing back straight.

In other words, that baby “born ready for a haircut” might look completely different by their first birthday.

How Noah’s hair stands out in his family

Hair like Noah’s doesn’t run in the family entirely—Yanez shared with Today, she always hoped her children would inherit her thick, wavy hair, but her 3-year-old has pin-straight hair like his dad.

Noah was born with a full head of hair, though she didn’t notice immediately because he went straight to the NICU due to his umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck. Doctors and nurses even dubbed him “Justin Bieber” for the swoop in his hair.

Mom says it’s both a blessing and a challenge

The attention on Noah’s hair is both a blessing and a curse. “It does get a little overwhelming,” Yanez tells Today. “Sometimes, I’d just like to go out with my baby and not have a conversation. Someone always stops us to point out his hair, which I appreciate, as a compliment.”

Styling a 5-month-old’s mane isn’t easy

Managing Noah’s mane can be a challenge, especially in summer. Yanez has experimented with top ponytails, pigtails, and sometimes just letting it flow naturally. A few lighter strands have emerged, which she calls his natural “highlights.” One video captioned it perfectly: “POV: My son was born with autumn balayage hair.”

As for haircuts, Yanez knows they’re inevitable. “Our pediatrician says, ‘This could be his baby hair, so take a lot of pictures now,” she tells Today. “He might need a haircut every week.”

Related: Black women react to sweet viral video that shows why Black hair should be celebrated

From adorable comparisons to playful nicknames, Noah’s hair has captured the internet’s imagination—and it seems his “big hair, don’t care” attitude is just getting started.

A reminder of parenting’s little surprises

From newborn quirks to viral moments, babies have a way of surprising us in ways big and small. Noah’s unforgettable hair may be what catches everyone’s attention, but for his family, it’s just one of those sweet reminders that childhood is full of unexpected joys worth savoring.