Let’s get into the thick of it. Or should I say the “thin” of it. Okay, jokes aside, because in complete honesty, this phase is a scary phase for lots of new moms. What’s even scarier is that it’s a phase that doesn’t get talked about more often.

For most women, their crowning glory is everything. Even if you’re a hijabi, your mane is still something you hold dear and fond of because a lot of women (men too) carry themselves more confidently with a good head of hair. But the moment you begin to start shedding hair, now that’s when panic kicks in.

As new moms, we’re often told to expect the usual loss of pre-baby body, sleep, freedom and even our sex drive. But what we’re not told often enough is the hair loss that comes with post-pregnancy. Therefore, it’s no surprise that a lot of women enter postpartum feeling unsure and uncomfortable with their new changes. There is so much to adapt to as you enter motherhood and small things like loosing your hair, can really scare and sometimes depress you.

What Is Postpartum Hair Loss

Getting to the root of it (man, I have a lot of puns for this) there are two forms of hair loss we should know about. Hair loss means that something is stopping the hair from growing. It’s a term we usually wail and complain about when we lose our hair. Though in reality, what’s happening to us is really hair shedding. Excessive hair shedding commonly affects:

• new moms
• anyone who’s either experienced or is experiencing tremendous stress (losing a job/loved one, etc)
• anyone who’s experienced major weight loss
• anyone undergoing operation
• and anyone with acute illness

Daily, we shed about 50-100 hairs off our head and this is a start contrast to the perks that we have been enjoying throughout pregnancy where we actually stopped shedding hair. Shedding typically resumes all at once after childbirth causing alarm to a lot of new moms. 

So here’s me telling you mamas, THAT IT’S NORMAL and it’s not your imagination. Read on to learn what’s up with your pregnancy locks, how long it postpartum hair loss lasts and treatments to help you cope.

Will I Ever Get My Pregnancy Locks Back?

Now that you know it is normal, read this carefully, mamas – this is temporary, expected and common. After childbirth, you will notice clumps of hair falling out around 2-3 months post-delivery. However, peak of hair loss usually kicks in at 4-6 months postpartum so your brush, bedroom floor may not be so easy on the eyes and your shower sessions may be a little more stressful than calming. I know this to be true because sometimes I would frozen into place just staring at the clumps of hair I just lost (not that I had the bushiest mane of hair to begin with) and just felt scared.

Don’t panic – lots of mothers slowly experience regrowth after 7 months (this varies for a lot moms) where you will start to see little baby hairs appear as it grows back in. Some mothers are lucky to have their hair return to it’s usual fullness by their baby’s first birthday. There are cases where it might grow back in sooner but I for one, fell short on the other end of the stick.

If you find yourself like me, read on to understand why some women experience later recovery through learning the causes of postpartum hair loss.

Causes Of Hair Loss After Birth

A major cause to hair loss is from our hormones. Understanding that hormones change during and after pregnancy helps with knowing that the hormonal imbalance affects our hair growth. You were able to enjoy luscious locks during pregnancy because you had higher levels of estrogen. Yet however, once your baby arrives, hair will begin to fall out due to your hormone levels dropping.

The high levels of estrogen during your pregnancy slowed down your usual rate of hair loss. For some ladies, the prevention saw little to no hair fall throughout their pregnancy. This spike in estrogen levels also see an increase in blood volume and circulation giving you the joys of lesser hair fall.

Can I Stop Postpartum Hair Loss?

Unfortunately, no. As a result of our changing hormones, this natural process is beyond our control. However, because it is temporary, there are ways for you to downplay the effects of postpartum hair loss and instead promote healthy hair growth.

How To Cope: Postpartum Hair Treatments

Hair treatments are known to be costly. If you’re born with a head full of hair and still find yourself with beautiful locks, then most likely there’s nothing for you to worry about. Nonetheless, if you do find yourself stressing over your hair loss, there are ways to help make your hair appear fuller.

Here, I’ve listed 7 ways you can try from the comfort of your home without breaking the bank.

The Groove Is In The Shampoo

It’s often said that conditioning shampoo weighs your hair down. Leaving you with limp and thin hair. Which is the opposite of what any women wants especially when you’re already facing the dilemma of excessive hair shedding.

The trick to this illusion is to use a good volumizing shampoo. Volumizers add body to your hair giving you that lustrous look. So try finding a volumizing shampoo that contains proteins like biotin that boosts your tresses with umph and life. This applies for conditioner as well. A deep conditioner helps but only if you apply it correctly which is only at the ends of your hair. Applying it closer to the roots will only weigh it down causing your hair to look limp.

Furthermore, do not be fooled by labeling. Avoid shampoos that promote “intensive conditioning” or even “conditioning shampoo”. Best approach for finding the right shampoo is to find shampoos formulated for your type of hair. If you have fine hair like me, try opting for lighter formulas in your hair care products.  

Skip The Styling, Darling

As much as you love your curls or that good blow dry, trust me babes, protecting those locks is more worth it. All that styling and excessive heat will also put a toll on your already fragile hair. The more brushing and tugging you put it through, the more strands of hair will end up on the floor or in your palms. It’s not a good look, ladies.