No one told me that after I had a baby that I could experience postpartum hair loss. For me, it happened at the four-month postpartum mark after the birth of both of my children (one a boy, one a girl; one an epidural, one a natural birth). It did not discriminate! It started off slowly, a lost hair here or there, but then it started to come out in clumps.
It’s kind of unfair, right? You develop this luxurious, healthy hair during pregnancy and then in postpartum when you’re already struggling to find yourself, learning your new body; you experience another challenge… hair loss!
Well, the one good thing is that it's totally normal. I know that might not be what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. It has been estimated that at least 50% of women will experience some degree of postpartum hair loss caused by another shift in those lovely hormones. Unfortunately, there isn’t anything you can do to prevent it, but there are things you can do to help promote healthy hair growth. Here are a few tips that helped me with my postpartum hair loss and regrowth:
Eat nourishing foods and stay hydrated - getting adequate nutrition not only helps hair growth, but will also aid in your overall postpartum recovery.
Add quality proteins into your meals like meat, fish (tuna, salmon), eggs, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds (almonds, sesame seeds).
Include collagen rich foods such as bone broth, leafy greens, berries and chia seeds.
Drink 6-8 glasses of water per day and limit sugary drinks.
Supplements - If you live in the Northeast like me and get little exposure to the sun, you may have a deficiency of some important vitamins that promote healthy hair.
Continue taking prenatal vitamins - they still help support you during those postpartum hormonal changes.
Vitamin D can help aid in the creation of new follicles. If you aren’t getting enough sun exposure or eating vitamin D rich foods, you may need a supplement. Consult your healthcare professional to determine the amount that is right for you.
Essential oils - Over the last few years, I’ve jumped on the essential oils bandwagon for a myriad of reasons. One of my favorite uses of essential oils is to help promote hair growth. Each oil is great to use on their own, but I made a mixture that I sprayed on my roots, every single day!
10 drops of rosemary
10 drops of cedarwood
10 drops of lavender
1 tbsp of witch hazel
Top off with water
While these are the things that worked for me, these tips might not work the same way for everyone. And it does take time so try not to stress about it because it will get better.