Postpartum hair loss can be prevented. Understand how to treat hair loss after pregnancy and find out the best natural tips to improve your hair growth as a new mom.

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

Are you suffering from postpartum hair loss and are wanting to learn more about how to treat it?

Want to know if it’s normal or if what you are experiencing is something you should be concerned about?

There are treatments and natural ways to decrease the process that takes places after having a baby.

Continue reading to learn what postpartum hair loss is caused by, how it can be treated and what other factors play a big role in the overall outcome of postpartum hair loss. 

Does Postpartum Hair Loss Happen To Everyone?

Postpartum hair loss is exactly what it sounds like. Hair loss that occurs during postpartum.

Shortly after having a baby, new moms tend to lose their hair at a rapid rate unlike any other they have experienced. 

This crazy thing that’s happening with your hair does happen to a lot of women, not all, but a lot of new moms after just having a baby. 

According to the American Pregnancy Association, the condition postpartum alopecia affects somewhere between 40 to 50 percent of women. 

If you want to know what to do with your hair loss and what the solution is to this unsightly problem, we’ll be going over everything you need to know in this article. 

How Much Postpartum Hair Loss Is Normal?

The amount of hairs that you can lose a day from postpartum alopecia can be as much as 400 hairs a day according to Salinger.

That’s in comparison to someone who didn’t have a baby who typically loses 80 hairs a day. That’s a dramatic difference. What causes this? Let’s find out.

Related: 11 Best Postpartum Belly Wraps and Girdles of 2020

What Is Postpartum Hair Loss? 

During pregnancy, your estrogen and progesterone levels rapidly increase (this occurs mostly in the second trimester).

Estrogen affects multiple systems in the body including the skin and sebaceous glands, and can also impact the growth pattern of hair. Some women will lose less hair during this time of pregnancy and some women will even have an increase rate of hair growth.

Usually you are continually shedding at a rate of about 50-100 hairs a day.

But during pregnancy, the excess estrogen encourages your hair to grow faster and shed less. 

After childbirth, estrogen hormone levels fall quickly to pre-pregnancy levels. Decreased estrogen levels, changes in other hormonal levels, lack of sleep and possible nutritional stress after just having a baby can all be culprits to the rapid loss of hair postpartum.

Typically this occurs at 3-4 months postpartum initially; however, the severity can be diminished if you implement appropriate strategies earlier on before you begin to lose your hair. So definitely get prepared prior to 3 months postpartum. 

What Helps Hair Loss After Pregnancy?

You might be thinking, “What can I do about postpartum hair loss?” You’re already in the thick of things, and you need to slow down the amount of hair that you are losing. The good news is, there are ways to decrease the rate of your hair loss after having a baby. Some tips are:

-Decrease the use of curling irons, flat irons and other heating elements to your hair, or completely cut it them out altogether.

-Eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

-Avoid tight ponytails and braids.

-Take vitamins and supplements that your doctor recommends and approves.

-Use products with Biotin.

How To Prevent Postpartum Hair Loss

If you are early enough in your postpartum recovery to be reading this and you are looking for ways to prevent hair loss after having a baby, I recommend getting a head start on the following recommendations.

Remember, around 3-4 months postpartum is when hair loss typically starts, so try do these things before that time frame.

-Maintain a healthy diet and/or get nutritional support.

-Decrease the amount of stressors in your life.

-Change your lifestyle to be more relaxing.

-Take care of your hair with healthy hair hygiene habits.

-Monitor your hair cycle.

-Make a conscious effort to help your baby sleep better and longer (thus YOU will sleep better and longer).

Related: 11 Natural Postpartum Recovery Tips For Faster Healing After Childbirth

How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?

Every women experiences hair loss at a different rate during postpartum. But most women will return to their usual hair growth cycle between 6 and 12 months after birth.

If you experience hair loss that extends past the 12 month mark, set up an appointment to speak with your doctor.

“Excessive hair loss can be caused by common and easy-to-remedy postpartum conditions such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) or iron-deficiency anemia.” – Kelly Mom

Does Hair Grow Back After Postpartum Hair Loss?

The good news is that your hair does grow back shortly after you lose it. It grows back slowly over time and you will begin to see tiny hairs mixed into your other longer hair.

If you lost a lot of hair along your hair line, you’ll see those hairs grow back since they are more visible. The new hairs that grow back may be thinner compared to the rest of the hair on your head because the hair that you had during pregnancy tends to be thicker than your normal. 

Can You Go Bald From Postpartum Hair Loss?

It is very rare for someone to go bald after having a baby. Hair loss that occurs postpartum needs to be understood as a temporary phase that occurs due to the rapid fluctuations of hormones.

The hair follicles will grow back. Everyone is different, and if you are concerned that your case is worse than most, consult your doctor. 

Do Prenatal Vitamins Help With Postpartum Hair Loss?

Prenatal vitamins help in many ways during postpartum recovery, especially if you are breastfeeding.

The added nutrients you get from your prenatal vitamins can definitely help with your overall health and therefore your hair nutrition, but it is not known to prevent hair loss post pregnancy in its entirety.

There is no research that states prenatal vitamins stop hair loss after pregnancy; however, it can’t hurt you either. 

What Shampoo Is Good For Postpartum Hair Loss?

The best recommendation I have for shampoo products is volumizing shampoo.

This will help lift and give your hair volume when your hair is thinning out. But definitely avoid using conditioning shampoos that tend to weigh your hair down and make your hair flat.

What Supplements Should I Take For Postpartum Hair Loss: What Vitamins Help Postpartum Hair Loss?

A proper diet can help decrease hair loss after pregnancy as I mentioned several times already. It’s just so important. Also, Biotin is known to help reduce postpartum hair loss. You can learn more about what Biotin is here.

Biotin with vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc have been shown to be beneficial.

 7 Critical Nutrients for Moms With Postpartum Hair Loss

Be sure to keep in mind these 7 critical nutrients for postpartum moms who are suffering from hair loss.  Be sure to have plenty of these in your diet or use a supplement.

1. Iron -red meat, beans, nuts
2. Vitamin C – strawberries, citrus fruits and peppers
3. Vitamin B12 -poultry, milk and eggs
4. DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid – salmon, tuna and cod
5. Vitamin D (helps to stimulate hair follicles) – the best way to boost your Vit D is with supplements
6. Vitamin A  (this helps with cell growth, including hair cells) – sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots and kale
7. Zinc (helps with hair growth and repair) – spinach, lentils and pumpkin

Bonus: Biotin!

Can Breastfeeding Cause Hair Loss?

There has been no research to conclude that breastfeeding causes hair loss.

There are so many benefits to breastfeeding that far outweigh any unknown risk.

Continue to breastfeed, and don’t let your hair loss stop you from doing something that will benefit you and your baby.

Natural Postpartum Recovery Tips For Faster Healing

It’s very clear that health and nutrition play a huge roll in postpartum recovery and preventing hair loss postpartum.

But did you know that there are other natural ways to help speed up your healing during postpartum recovery?

Continue reading to find out 11 natural ways to have a faster postpartum recovery. 

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

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