Loosing My Hair...

Updated on June 02, 2010
N.L. asks from Asheville, NC
27 answers

I gave birth on february and I've just realized that I'm loosing a lot of hair now... Is that something to do with the pregnancy and giving birth? BTW I'm also breastfeeding... Should I check with my doc? Thanks!

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.A.

answers from Reno on

I started losing hair as well, but it slowed down. I wouldn't panic unless it's so much you can see patches of scalp. There's not much they can do, but my friend Jennifer used women's rogaine after she was pregnant and finished breast feeding and all her hair grew back.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.O.

answers from Miami on

Welcome to the club!! Myself and Everyone I know all lost clumps of hair starting 3 months after we gave birth- it lasts around 3 months.
I had to clean the shower drain everyday!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Miami on

I went through the same thing. My hair is thinner since pregnancy and giving birth. I started taking my prenatal vitamin, omega 6 and flax oil supplements again to help strengthen my hair again :)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Houston on

The hormones during pregnancy slow hair loss...after giving birth, the time varies, you lose that retained hair. If you feel like your hair is getting thinner than it was before pregnancy, you should definitely consult your doctor. Thyroid and some other conditions can cause hair loss. Depending on your doctor, they may attribute it to pregnancy and birth unless you are having other symptoms or it continues beyond a year or you develop clear bald patches. Continue to take your prenatal vitamins.

Just a note, my pregnant hair was wonderful and while I lost a lot it is still better than pre-pregnancy. The rate at which I shed my hair is greatly reduced...I always used to have a lint roller with me...lol.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.K.

answers from Miami on

Yes, it happens after pregnancy, but you may also want to get a blood test in order to calm yourself or if the amount of hair loss is constant and doesn't stop for a long time. Certain diseases, like thyroid disease, will make you constantly lose hair, I know because I suffer from it and it's a common side effect.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from St. Louis on

Yes. I started loosing my hair after the birth of my first daughter. It was very subtle and the doctor thought I was crazy. After the birth of my second daughter it got worse. After going to a dermatologist it was discovered that I have alopecia.
Yours could be from a change in your hormone balance. They can run blood tests. I'd call your primary doctor and when you go for the appointment, be firm with them.

2 moms found this helpful

L.K.

answers from Philadelphia on

It is very normal and I'll grow back in time. I have lost my hair twice at the temple's sides with my two children around the fourth month after they were born. The cycle of shedding hair while pregnant, somehow, slows down. That is why many pregnant women have thick and lustrous hair during pregnancy and after giving birth, the cycle of growing, maturing and loosing starts adjusting to its normal phase, but while the loosing phase was very slow during pregnancy is very fast after birth. Nothing to do with breastfeeding or anything else. You can always ask you OB to be sure is not a thyroid problem.

2 moms found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, totally normal! It'll slow down once your hormones balance out completely.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Make sure you are on a GOOD prenatal that you are actually absorbing. This is hormonal but with good nutrition you can avoid most anything like this. I can recommend one if you're unsure of yours.

M.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Daytona Beach on

it's because your losing all the extra hormones that you had while pregnant. this happened to me after both of my pregnancies. great globs of hair just came out every time i was in the shower. i thought that i was going to go bald!!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.R.

answers from Boca Raton on

Happened to me too. I had the best hair of my life while pregnant! The hair on my head was awesome and the hair on my legs actually grew slower. One of the few things about pregnancy I would have loved to hold onto! When I went to the hairdresser for the first time after my daughter was born, his first question was, "have you gone through the big shed yet?". Plus several of my mom friends had warned me about it. I was breastfeeding too, but I don't know if that plays any role. Mine actually thinned out to a greater degree than pre-pregnancy. But it has been back to normal for at least a year now. (She's 2 1/2).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Tallahassee on

No worries. :) Whether you realized it or not, you grew lots of new (extra) hair while pregnant and now you're loosing that. You aren't loosing your "normal" hair. Make sense? Although you can certainly mention it to your doc if it makes you feel better. Are you still taking prenatals, by the way? You should stay on them until you finish breastfeeding (although that won't stop this normal hair loss).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

NORMAL!!!!!!!!!!!! You will have all your hair back by around one year old. But don't expect it to be as thick and luxurious as it was during pregnancy. :(

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.R.

answers from Lakeland on

I have a TON of hair, and when I was pregnant - my hairdresser warned me that - that would happen, and BOY DID IT! I actually ruined a vacuum cleaner with my hair. I don't know who was shedding more - me or the dog. BTW - I was breastfeeding too. It eventually did go back to the normal amount that I shed when I wash and comb my hair. Also -in case it happens to you - the joints in my hand and feet were killing me while I was nursing.. especially in the morning. I found out that it was normal, and it went away as well. Good luck! Enjoy that baby!
PS: Oh yea, and keep taking the prenatal vitamins while you are nursing, and make sure that you take them with food - or you don't absorb them, they just go through your pee.

C.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

Yup I lost it with all 3. It got to be a joke in the house. I was shedding more then the cat. Should stop around 6 months post partum or so.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.P.

answers from Orlando on

N.,
It is VERY normal to lose your hair after having a baby. With both of my kids, it started around 4 or 5 mos post partum. My youngest will be 1 on Tuesday & I am still losing my hair.
H.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Tampa on

Oh, goodness you need a nutritional work up- moms give whatever a baby needs to their baby- you are missing something- check with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Assn for a referral, for someone who knows about nutriton. MDs are not trained in nutriton- if one more of them says you can get everything from you food I'll scream!!-find someone who is knowledgable.
best, k

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.A.

answers from Tampa on

Totally normal and totally scary.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.M.

answers from Boca Raton on

I'm sure most responses have said this already, but that is totally normal. I gave birth in January, and I'm losing hair too. Some days it's seems like I'm gong to go bald, but I remember it happened with my first too. Don't worry - it will end and your hair will grow back.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

Welcome to mommyhood! I lost my hair for about 6-7 months after my son was born. This is because of the hormones released after giving birth combined with the hormones the build up during pregnancy (which often cause reduced hair shedding and thicker hair during the pregnancy). No worries, unless you start to develop bald spots (in which case, you may want to talk to your doctor).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.T.

answers from Jacksonville on

I had the same problem until my little one was over a year old! . It's perfectly normal even though it'll drive you crazy with worry. Some say it could be a sign of thyroid trouble so have your doctor check that if it'll make you feel better. I did, and I was fine. Buy a swiffer! : )

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Yes. After a year it should be back to normal.
Did you notice when you were pregnant it DIDN'T fall out as much as normal? THat's what your shedding, that excess hair that stayed during your pregnancy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

Hi this happens to many women, but you can make a difference if you are feeding your cells properly. Nutrition is huge not only for you, but for the baby you are breastfeeding. Make sure you are eating a diet rich in whole foods and essential fatty acids. I would also add an omega 3 supplement (Carlson's is good) and chia seed or flax seed, a whole food fruit and veg supplement (the only one with clinical research is Juice Plus and it does wonders at the celular level (www.wejuiceplus.com ) and a probiotic. This will all help to bring your body back into balance and nourish your baby. Feel free to contact me and I can send you some info to look over.
Blessings,
C.
____@____.com

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.W.

answers from Tampa on

Sounds like you need to drink more milk and possibly eat more protein. I would for sure talk to my doctor about it. I was told that some hair loss is normal when nursing. I never did lose any hair though and nursed both of my babies. But the doctor told me to make sure to drink at least 16 ozs. of milk every day.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Tampa on

It comes with the package, love! Everyone reacts differently but I loss a lot of hair as well.....luckily I had enough to shed a bit. Consult your doc during the next check up, beware of vitamin deficiency since you are breast feeding and
you can always try the hair/beauty supply store for protein bottles that treat your scalp to get stronger.....I used a few of those as well. It will pass but always talk to your doc if you are worried.
Congrats on the new arrival!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.B.

answers from Dallas on

LOL!! I worried about the exact same thing, and I asked the same exact question that you did, and got the same exact response. Dont worry it will stop. It took my hair 9 months to stop falling out in handfulls.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.M.

answers from Miami on

I was losing my hair by the handfull. Are you still on your prenatal vitamins? If not start taking them again. Or take folic acid and b complex. It worked for me. Good luck

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions