Hair Falling Out After Having Baby

Hi M.. I have a little boy and little girl. After both of my babies, around 3 months later, my hair started falling out. But it was especially bad after my daughter. Its totally normal and in a few months you'll have a bunch of baby hairs while it grows back in. I even have a layer of what looks like bangs because I lost so much in the front. What helped me was a good cut...I'm talking like 4 or 5 inches off of my hair. My hair was down to the middle of my back and I cut it to my shoulders and it made a huge difference. Be bold....good luck!

Hi there

No, you're not going bald. This is a temporary phase. In the normal cycle of hair growth, some hair is lost every day. But during pregnancy the increased levels of estrogen in your body freezes hair in the growing (or "resting") phase of the cycle. Hair that would normally fall out stays put, resulting in thicker hair. After you give birth and your estrogen levels decline, however, all that hair that was resting starts to fall out. This usually starts the third or fourth postpartum and ends by six months. But some women say it can last for a year. This temporary hair loss doesn't mean you're deficient in nutrition or vitamins, says Dr. Stone. It's simply hormonal.

Here's how to keep your hair looking good during this hairy transition.

1. Get a new cut. First and foremost, pay a visit to a stylist for professional advice, says Scuoppo. It may be time to get a different hairstyle that will incorporate those fine hairs in the front. If you previously had long hair, or a layered cut with pieces that came down to the chin in the front, you may need to shorten that hair into long bangs that frame the face. Celebrity stylist Oribe (whose clients include Jennifer Lopez and Gwyneth Paltrow) agrees that it's a good idea to go shorter in the front. Sexy, short-in-the-middle, longer-at-the-sides Brigitte Bardot bangs would look great, says Oribe. Layering your hair all over will also give you more fullness.

2. Keep hair moussed and moist. Oribe also says that using the right products can give the illusion of fullness. Look for a volumizing mousse at the drugstore or salon. Also, always use a conditioner or a leave-in hair moisturizer after shampooing.

3. Try color. Coloring your hair is always a great way to give it body, says Scuoppo. If you feel that your hairline is receding and you have dark hair, highlighting the front can act as a camouflage. Or try glossing, a treatment that gives hair all-over shine.

4. Change the part. If you normally part your hair in the middle, a side part can disguise thinning hair at the temples.

5. Add texture. Sleek, straight hairstyles make thinning hair more obvious. If you usually blow out your curly or wavy hair, now may be the time to go with your natural curl. If you have straight hair, try using Velcro rollers or a curling iron to give your locks some oomph, says Scuoppo.

6. Wear hair ornaments. Headbands, scarves, and bandannas are fun and stylish ways to disguise hair loss. They're especially popular with new moms who have little time to devote to hair care!

Finally, if it continues, get your thyroid checked. An imbalance can cause hair loss

Good luck

Get Nioxin shampoo and conditioner. It helps strengthen the hair while helping it grow. It works, I promise. I worked in the beauty industry for 5 years and have used it myself.

Hi! I had the same thing happen to me with my 2nd daughter. I was told after the fact that it was perfectly normal because I had breastfed and it had happened to all of my sister in laws. It started at 4 months and continued I think for a month or two. I was really freaked out too because I don't have a lot of hair to begin with. But don't worry it will stop And you won't go bald ;). Actually it never got noticeable it just feels awful.

Hi M.,

My hair fell out also & my hairdresser suggested Nioxin. I think it works as I immediately & continually had hair regrowing. I lost hair starting from last Aug - Nov before I had tiny sprouts growing back in. I later realized that my hair grew in straight for a while during this time also. Now, the regrowth is curly (like it should be), but my ends are straight. It looks crazy & I am finding it hard to do anything with it. But, at least it's growing back when I was sure it wouldn't. Like the other mom's said, it will grow back. Just get it cut shorter to make it look fuller & not so thin. Also, I suggest trying the Nioxin shampoo/cond.

Good Luck!

Hi M..

My hair started falling out a lot after about 6 weeks to 2 months postpartum. I figured it was all that hair that pregnancy has you retain. But if your hair is getting thin, I would guess it also has to do with some kind of vitamin, mineral and/or hormone imbalance. I know my body was so off after pregnancy, as I think so many of ours are. I would ask your doc about the excessive hair loss - they might be able to tell you to take more of a vitamin, or even do some tests on your for vitamin and mineral levels. Also, maybe take some Omega Oil supplements (I think liquid is best) - absorbs better) because I've heard that pregnancy can drain you of them, and I know that they help with hair and skin. Even if you're taking prenatals or a good multi-vitamin (which you should seriously consider if you aren't already), you still may not be absorbing everything in it good enough. If you have the time and money, you might want to try going to a good naturapathic or homeopathic doctor who would be able to help determine what is at the root of the hair issue, since it sounds like some kind of nutritional deficiency that could probably easily "fixed" when you start taking the right supplements. Don't let your MD tell you it's simply stress. Although that might be part of it, that probably is not the whole picture- and it's what they tell you when they don't know what it is! Hope that helps.

SG had excellent advice...pretty much sums it all up. You may also notice that your hair texture will change once your 'new hair' comes in after your body returns to 'itself.' After I had my second child, my hair went from stick straight to wavy. After my third child, my hair is now pretty thin- but still wavy.

About 4 months after having my son, my hair was falling out in clumps. I hated it too. I tried to only wash it twice a week, and avoided putting it in a pony tail just so I wasn't straining the hair anymore. Thankfully it stopped about 6 weeks later. And my hair is thinner than it was, but it will grow back.

You have good answers and advice already...but just wanted to share that this is completely normal! I too lost hair with my pregnancies...I have very LONG hair...to my bottom and I love it...after my first two prenancies I lost hair, but with my last two (Twins) the amount I lost was awful...I was getting a little depressed thinking it was all going to come out. And yes, I asked my doctors and they said that this was completely normal and that it would grow back...now nearly 17 years later (all our kids are nearly grown-up) I still have my long hair and it's not as full and thick as it once was (before kids) but it's still long, and there's still plenty there...just make sure and keep it trimmed to keep it healthy!

This happened with both of my pregnancies. I really recommend bangs. They make you look more youthful and when those baby hairs of yours come in, then they can hide behind the longer bangs.

As you've been reading... this tends to be very common. When it happened to me my hair dresser suggested taking Biotin tablets (5mg). I can tell you I don't think it stopped my hair from falling out, but it sure helped it grow in much faster. The only down side is that the hair all over was growing in much faster as well (legs, underarms etc.), but it did make me feel better that at least there was new growth coming in at a great pace. I do suggest taking a multi vitamin as well or continue with your prenatals. Not to worry M.. It will be ok. Just to be on the safe side, get your thyroid checked as well. My levels were all our of wack after 3 kids and once I got that taken care of my depression disappeared. Good luck to you.

My hair fell out, too. It'll start coming back soon.

Don't wait to get your thyroid checked out. And insist on it if your doctor is hesitant. many times the symptoms of thyroid are the same as after you have a child which is why it oftn goes unnoticed. Tired, fatigue, loss of hair, weight gain, etc etc. Having my thyroid checked completely changed my life. Good luck and make sure you take care of YOU while you take care of your little ones!