Manage postpartum hair loss and regrow stronger hair

Finding more hair in your brush—or the shower drain—after birth? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.

What causes postpartum hair loss (and why it looks sudden)

During pregnancy, high estrogen and progesterone pause normal shedding, making hair feel thicker and fuller. After delivery, those hormone levels drop dramatically. Many hairs shift at once into the “shedding” phase (telogen), a temporary and reversible condition called postpartum telogen effluvium.

This is a normal biological reset. In a cross-sectional study, 91.8% of women reported some postpartum hair loss 10–18 months after delivery, underscoring how common it is. Other clinical reviews suggest about 50% of people who delivered a baby experience postpartum hair loss, though this may be underreported.

When postpartum hair loss starts, peaks, and settles down

Postpartum hair loss follows a fairly predictable timeline:

• Typical start: 2–4 months after delivery
• Peak shedding: Around 4–5 months postpartum, with up to about 200 hairs a day at peak (that can look dramatic in the shower and on your brush)
• Resolution: Most people return to their usual hair growth pattern within 8–12 months

Evidence supports this timeline: A clinical review notes shedding generally starts 2–4 months and lasts 6–12 months. A large survey-based study found shedding began at 2.9 months, peaked at 5.1 months, and ended around 8.1 months postpartum. A medical review for patients reports peak shedding near 4 months and return to baseline by one year for most.

What’s normal—and what’s not

Normal for postpartum hair loss:

• Diffuse shedding (all over the scalp), often most noticeable at the temples and hairline
• Daily shedding that feels excessive compared with pregnancy
• No sharply defined bald patches

Check in with a clinician if you notice:

• Bald patches, round or irregular areas without hair
• Shedding clearly beyond typical postpartum patterns (e.g., far more than ~200 hairs/day at peak)
• Symptoms of anemia or thyroid issues (fatigue, palpitations, cold intolerance), scalp pain, or inflammation

These patterns can signal something other than normal postpartum shedding and deserve evaluation by a healthcare provider.

Safe ways to care for your scalp and regrow stronger hair after birth

There’s no “quick fix” needed for typical postpartum hair loss—but you can protect what you have and support healthy regrowth.

Daily hair care

Be gentle with your fragile postpartum hair. Use a wide‑tooth comb and avoid aggressive brushing on wet hair. Shampoo regularly to reduce tangles and product buildup, choosing lightweight, volumizing formulas that won’t weigh down thinning hair.

Condition only the ends to keep mid‑lengths to ends hydrated while avoiding heavy scalp conditioners. Limit heat and friction by using low heat settings, skipping daily hot tools, and blotting (not rubbing) with a microfiber towel.

Choose loose styles and skip tight ponytails, high-tension braids, and heavy extensions that stress the already vulnerable hairline.

Scalp-first strategies

Scalp massage for 4–5 minutes, a few times per week, can boost local blood flow and ease tension—a practice you can easily incorporate during middle‑of‑the‑night feeds.

Keep the scalp clean and comfortable; treat dandruff if present, as flakes and itching can increase breakage and discomfort.

Nutrition basics that matter

Support hair regrowth from the inside:

• Aim for protein at each meal to supply amino acids for keratin
• Include iron‑rich foods (e.g., lean meats, legumes, leafy greens) with vitamin C sources to support absorption; postpartum iron deficiency is common
• Add omega‑3 fats (salmon, walnuts, flax) and a rainbow of produce for micronutrients that support follicles
• Keep taking your prenatal or a postpartum multivitamin if advised by your clinician

Stress, sleep, and your hair

Significant stress can nudge more hairs into shedding a few months later. Building mini-rest routines helps:

• Short, restorative naps when possible
• 5–10 minutes of breathwork, guided relaxation, or a sound journey between feeds
• Gentle walks outdoors for circadian support

Increased stress load is a known contributor to telogen effluvium in the postpartum period, according to clinical overviews.

What about breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding itself isn’t a cause, but timing around weaning may correlate with how you perceive shedding. One study found different odds of reported hair loss linked to when breastfeeding stopped—those who stopped between 6–12 months had 5.96 times higher odds of postpartum hair loss compared to those who stop within 6 months. Women who continued breastfeeding beyond 12 months had 6.37 times higher odds compared to those who stopped within 6 months.

This points to association, not proof of causation, and individual experiences vary significantly.

Are hair growth products safe right now?

Typical postpartum hair loss does not require medical treatment and usually resolves on its own. Over‑the‑counter minoxidil is sometimes used for hair loss, but safety considerations differ if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Discuss with your obstetrician, dermatologist, or pediatrician before starting any topical treatment.

Avoid unregulated supplements “for hair growth” without clinician guidance, especially when breastfeeding or if you have thyroid or iron concerns.

If shedding is severe, prolonged, or atypical, a dermatologist can evaluate for other causes (e.g., thyroid disease, iron deficiency, alopecia areata) and tailor treatment.

Smart styling to look fuller while you regrow

While waiting for regrowth, strategic styling can help:

• Cut for body: A blunt lob or layers at the ends can add lift without thinning the perimeter
• Change your part: Zig‑zag or a deep side part disguises temple thinning
• Use light volumizers: Root‑lifting sprays and texturizing powders create instant fullness
• Camouflage wisps: A soft edge-control gel and a spoolie can tame regrowth along the hairline

A realistic timeline to regrow hair after birth

• Months 0–2: Hair still feels thicker from pregnancy
• Months 2–5: Shedding begins and peaks; you may notice widening parts or thinner edges
• Months 6–9: Shedding slows; baby hairs start appearing at the hairline
• Months 9–12: Density trends back toward your baseline

This reflects typical ranges reported in peer‑reviewed reviews and patient-oriented summaries.

When to see a clinician

Make an appointment if:

• Shedding persists beyond 12 months without improvement
• You see discrete bald patches or scalp inflammation
• You have symptoms suggestive of thyroid or iron issues
• You’re considering medications while pregnant or breastfeeding

How Beginning.com can support your postpartum recovery

Caring for hair starts with caring for you. The Beginning app offers:

• 3D sound journeys to ease stress, improve sleep quality, and support your nervous system during the fourth trimester
• Masterclasses led by top teachers across postpartum recovery, nutrition, and mental well‑being—practical, bite‑size lessons you can use today
• Personalized tracking to notice patterns between stress, sleep, and shedding—and evidence-based tips in your feed to guide next steps

Start your free trial and explore holistic care designed for women at every stage: Beginning.com.

Answers to common questions

Is postpartum hair loss permanent?
No. Most people return to baseline within a year after delivery.

Can I prevent it completely?
Not entirely—it’s driven by normal hormone shifts. Gentle hair care, nutrition, and stress support can make it feel more manageable.

Will cutting my hair stop shedding?
Cutting doesn’t change shedding at the root level, but it can make hair look and feel fuller while you regrow.

Are bald patches normal?
Distinct patches are not typical for postpartum telogen effluvium—get evaluated if you see them.

The bottom line

Postpartum hair loss is common, temporary, and reversible. Support your scalp, nourish your body, reduce stress where you can, and give your follicles time to reset. When you’re ready for guided relief—anytime, one-handed between feeds—download the Beginning app and try calming sound journeys and expert masterclasses free today: Beginning.com.