If you want the answer right away – yes, postpartum hair loss is completely normal. So don’t worry – you’re not going bald. The hair loss is temporary and almost all mothers experience it, though some notice it more than others.
When does it happen?
Postpartum hair loss occurs between three and six months after giving birth and should stop by the time your baby turns 12 months old.
What causes postpartum hair loss?
Firstly, hair loss has nothing to do with breastfeeding! The real cause of postpartum hair loss lies with hormones and the hair growth cycle.
During pregnancy and after childbirth our body goes through a lot of hormonal changes. Normally, 85 – 95 percent of the hair is growing and the other 5 – 15 percent is in a resting stage. The rise in estrogen levels during pregnancy prolongs the growing stage and keeps you from losing hair.
After childbirth, estrogen levels reduce, which causes the hair to fall out and return to the normal cycle. It’s normal to lose about 100 to 125 hairs a day, but after delivery, it may increase to 500 a day.
Where will you experience hair loss?
Unfortunately, hair loss doesn’t spread across the body. Most hair loss will be on the top of the head, similar in style to balding.
The rest of your body will still be growing hair unless, of course, you used laser hair removal in the past. If that’s the case, the body hair growth should remain the same, although, for a limited few, there may be a small, yet noticeable change in regrowth.
What to do about it?
Well, you can’t stop the hair from falling out, but if the loss bothers you, there are different options you might try:
- Eat well! Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids and antioxidants that encourage hair growth.
- Keep taking prenatal vitamin supplements. Iron, zinc, biotin, omega 3, vitamin B, vitamins E and C help increase hair strength and health.
- Get a haircut. You can experiment with different hairstyles, but many moms prefer short hair. It makes hair look fuller and it’s easy to take care of.
- Use shampoo and conditioner that add volume.
- Avoid hairdos and accessories which can pull and stress your hair (rubber bands, pigtails, braids, hair weaves, etc.).
- Try not to use a flat and curling iron, blow dryer, and other heated hair instruments, if possible.
- Use a wide-toothed comb, while working with wet hair.
- Avoid stress.
I shed worse then the cat in the spring, it only lasted a month. Thanks for putting the word out there that it’s normal!
Great tips! I know for first time moms it can be really concerning when it really is just a normal part of the hormonal experience!
I lose hair all the time – and an insane amount postpartum. Hubby always asks if that’s okay… so I’ll have to show him that it is! 🙂
I wish I had seen this back it was happening to me! I was freaking out because I was losing so much hair! It was crazy!
Postpartum hair loss is the worse! I was constantly having to unclog my bathroom drain when I experienced this!
I’m glad I never had to deal with this. 🙁 It sounds awful
It’s really annoying to have the floors full of hair. You are really lucky Dawn!
This was an issue I didn’t have to deal with
Lucky you!
I am going through hair loss right now and my Doctor told me those same things, we except for the prenatal vitamins. Anytime your body goes through a tough time you could have hair loss. It’s no fun let me tell you. I could definitely use a major hair cut but I know that Hubby likes my hair long so I am just leaving it that way. I has gotten a lot thinner because of the loss. I am hoping that it thickens back up soon.
I used garnier fructis Length and Strength shampoo and conditioners and my hair grew real long really fast. I’m the one who likes my hair super short and then I want it super long.
Great tips!
I continued taking my vitamins so thankfully I did not experience this. My hair is thin enough already
I deal with hair loss often, my mama does too. I don’t remember it being worse after having my babies though but I’m grown to ignore my hair most of the time. I just fling it up in a bun and be on my way! Great tips and suggestions! They may work for my mom and I too!
Very informative! I definitely lost hair after pregnancy, but I didn’t worry about it. My hair was clearly thicker while pregnant, so I knew it was just going back to the way it normally is. I was more concerned about the gray hair that I started getting while pregnant and still get!
This is a great post. i remember being so stressed out the first time this happened because I didn’t have a clue. Of course I took my pre-pregnancy clothes w/me to the hospital too, but that’s another story. 😉
i still have this problem with hair loss. My baby is almost 2 yrs old. I’ve tried almost everything but still has the same problem.. 🙁
Great post! I’m so glad that you cleared up the fact that many people think breastfeeding is the cause of hair loss. This was a wonderful and informative read. Rhonda 🙂
I feel like I just got me bald spots to look like bangs from my last pregnancy and in May it will start again lol ugh
Thank you for the tips! Sadly I am a ponytail girl after each pregnancy which doesn’t help with the hair loss at all! Have to fix that next time!