Natural Postpartum Hair Loss Remedies

Published: March 2, 2021
Updated: January 12, 2024

Written by: Co-Founder Maria Davi
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Nicole Palmer, DO

In This Article:

★ YOUR HAIR GROWTH PATTERN

★ WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS AFTER GIVING BABY?

★ WHEN DOES POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS START?

★ HOW LONG DOES POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS LAST?

★ HOW TO PREVENT POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS?

★ WHAT VITAMINS HELP POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS?

★ WHAT SHOULD YOU EAT TO REGROW LOST HAIR?

★ BEST PRENATAL VITAMIN FOR HAIR LOSS

After child birth, your body starts to naturally return to your pre-pregnancy body. As your hormone levels, which start to return back to normal, leading to post-pregnancy hair loss.

During pregnancy and post-pregnancy, your body goes through many changes including your hair. While pregnant, you may love what the effects of pregnancy did to your hair. Soon after child birth, your estrogen levels start to drop, causing your hair to fall out after pregnancy.

Just know that you aren’t the only one going through these experiences and that this isn't permanent hair loss after pregnancy. We will be providing you with the cause of this after pregnancy and tips to help reduce hair loss after pregnancy.

★ YOUR HAIR GROWTH PATTERN

Before pregnancy, on average, 90% of a woman’s hair follicles are in the active growth stage. While the other 10% of hair follicles are in the resting stage, causing natural hair shedding, around 50-100 throughout the day.

However, during pregnancy a woman’s increased level of estrogen temporarily changes the normal hair growth cycle, preventing hair follicles to enter the resting stage (and shedding). This allows hair to stay in the follicle and continue growing. Your hair will appear thicker and fuller due to less shedding.

★ WHAT CAUSES HAIR LOSS AFTER BABY?

Many new moms will notice excess hair loss after child birth, which is normal and isn't a true hair loss condition, like alopecia. This has you thinking, what causes postpartum hair loss? Playing a major role in postpartum hair sheddings are your hormones and body returning back to pre-pregnancy levels.

Soon after giving birth (or sometimes after you stop breastfeeding), your hormonal shifts, like estrogen decrease to help aid your body back to pre-pregnancy. The natural estrogen level decrease will bring your hair growth cycle back to normal, allowing hair follicles to enter the resting stage.

★ WHEN DOES POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS START?

During your hair shedding stage, it might seem as if clumps of hair are coming out. This excessive hair loss after birth is normal and doesn't start for a few months. Breastfeeding keeps estrogen levels high than normal, allowing your hair to enjoy some more time in the active growth stage. Once you stop breastfeeding your estrogen levels decrease, allowing your hair follicles to go back to their normal resting phase routine.

Once your hair follicle enters the resting phase stage, it will take around three months for those hair strands to naturally shed. This causes you to experience postpartum hair shedding starting anywhere from three to four months after giving birth or after breastfeeding.

The hair follicle resting phase stage lasts for around 100 days for hairs on the scalp. Then the follicles re-enter the active growth phase.

★ HOW LONG DOES POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS LAST?

You may be wondering, when does postpartum hair loss stop? Every woman's body is different so recovery time varies. For some, it takes up to three months to normalize, others six months to a year. Just remember this is temporary and you will make it through.

You can’t stop this type of hair loss after childbirth, but you may be able to help aid the growth of new healthy hair but you can help control it.

★ HOW TO PREVENT POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS?

Here how to help postpartum hair loss, remedies.

Hair care is important during your hair's resting phase. Here is how to prevent hair loss after pregnancy.

Try to be a little more gentle with your hair after pregnancy.
Try to shampoo your hair only when necessary and following a good conditioner. When brushing your hair try to use a wide-toothed comb to minizine ripping out knots. Try to only use scrunches and not to pull your hair back into a tight ponytail.
Try to put off any heat or chemicals to your lovely locks. Both can cause damage and breakage to your hair strands.

Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for your fourth trimester by aiding healthy hair growth with vitamins and nutrients.

★ For more information on prenatal vitamins, please check out our Benefits of Feed Mom & Me Complete Prenatal with DHA Multivitamin Blog.

Continue taking your prenatal vitamins during postpartum. Think of it as a postpartum hair loss vitamin. They help aid hair, skin, and nail growth during pregnancy, and will continue to do the same afterward.

★ WHAT VITAMINS HELP POSTPARTUM HAIR LOSS?

Have you ever heard that old saying “You are beautiful inside and out”, well that is true when it comes to our hair. Optimal nutritional intake can help with hair growth, and help to protect hair and follicles.

Vitamins and Nutrients may be important for hair growth by generating new cell growth throughout your body. Vitamins A, B, C, D, along with zinc, iron, protein, and selenium help stimulate new hair/cell growth.

These vitamins and minerals generate the growth of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all the body’s cells. Including your hair, the fastest growing tissue in your body after bone marrow.

★ WHAT SHOULD I EAT TO REGROW LOST HAIR DURING POSTPARTUM?

1. Vitamin A

Vitamin A is necessary for cellular growth throughout the body. It is also known to help produce sebum, an oil that helps moisturize the scalp to promote healthy hair growth. Being that Vitamin A is fat-soluble, ingestion of very high levels can be toxic.

BEST FOODS WITH VITAMIN A TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Fish, such as Salmon. (No more than 12 ounces per week)
Green Leafy Vegetables and Vegetables, such as Broccoli, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, and Squash.
Fruits, such as Cantaloupe, Apricots, and Mangos.
Dairy products such as Milk, Yogurt & Eggs
Fortified Breakfast Cereals.
Your Daily Multivitamin

2. B-Vitamins

The vitamin B complex is composed of these eight water-soluble vitamins substances- thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folate (B9), and vitamin B12. Deficiencies in these vitamins have been associated with hair loss.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes that play roles in cellular development and function, like your hair cells.

Vitamin B7 (biotin) is known for hair growth by stimulating keratin production in your hair and can also increase the growth of hair follicles. Being that biotin is water-soluble, your body doesn’t store any and needs to be consumed to be the most effective.

Vitamin B9 (folate) plays a key role in DNA & gene synthesis. Your body also needs it to help with cell division. Including the cells found inside your skin tissues as well as in your hair and nails.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. Supplying your hair cells and follicles with fresh new blood. Working together with folate producing nucleic acid that may play a role in high proliferative hair follicle.

The other vitamin B complexes help create new red blood cells that carry fresh oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles, an important process stimulating hair growth.

BEST FOODS WITH VITAMIN B TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Lean Meats, Beef, and Poultry
Fish, such as Tuna, and Salmon (If breastfeeding, Consult with your OB)
Dairy Products, such as Eggs, Milk, Yogurt
Green Vegetables, such as Asparagus, Broccoli, and Spinach, Brussel Sprouts
Vegetables, such as Sweet Potatoes, Avocados, Cauliflower, Mushrooms, Swiss Chard, and Carrots.
Fruits such as Raspberries, Bananas, Papaya, and Bananas. Also Dried fruits, such as Apricots and Prunes.
Nuts, such as Peanuts, Hazelnuts, Pistachios, Cashew Nuts, Pecans, Walnuts, Peanuts, and Almonds.
Legumes, such as Chickpeas, Black-Eyed Peas, Kidney Beans, and Soybeans
Enriched and Fortified Cereals, Bread, and Grain Products.
Whole grains, such as Whole Wheat, Brown Rice, and Oats.

3. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is known to be a powerful antioxidant protecting you against the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Free radical damage can cause your hair to age and block growth. Your body also needs vitamin C to produce the important protein collagen, which plays a vital role in your hair structure.

Vitamin C enhances your body’s iron absorption, a mineral that is necessary for hair growth.

BEST FOODS WITH VITAMIN C TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Citrus Fruits, such as Oranges, Grapefruits, Pineapples, Lemons, and their juices.
Other Fruits, such as Strawberries, Cantaloupe, Guava, Papaya, and Kiwi.
Vegetables, such as Broccoli, Red, Yellow, and Green Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, and Brussel Sprouts.

4. Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a key role in stimulating new and old hair follicles. New hair growth can be stunted when your body has insufficient levels of vitamin D. Your body naturally produces vitamin D when you’re in contact with direct sunlight.

Vitamin D also helps your body absorb calcium. Making you a strong mama with nice hair.

BEST FOODS WITH VITAMIN D TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Fish, such as Salmon, Tuna, Mackerel, and Canned Sardines in oil. (If breastfeeding, Consult with your OB )
Dairy Products, such as Eggs, and Fortified Milk.

5. Vitamin E

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects you against oxidative stress caused by free radicals. These radical damages can block hair growth and age your hair.

In one study, people with hair loss experienced a 34.5% increase in hair growth after supplementing with vitamin E for 8 months.

BEST FOODS WITH VITAMIN E TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Dairy Products, such as Eggs.
Vegetable Oils, such as Wheat Germ, Sunflower, Safflower, Corn, and Soybeans Oil.
Nuts and Seeds, such as Almonds, Peanuts, Hazelnuts, and Sunflower Seeds.
Green Vegetables, such as Spinach and Broccoli.
Fortified Cereals

6. Iron

Iron is one of the most important minerals for countless bodily functions, as well as hair growth. In your body iron produces hemoglobin, a protein that carries fresh oxygen in your red blood cells from your lungs to your cells.

Iron taken together with vitamin C can help your body absorb up to six times the amount. Helping to boost hair growth!

BEST FOODS WITH IRON TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Lean Meat, and Poultry.
Iron-fortified Breakfast Cereals and Breads.
Legumes, such as White Beans, Lentils, Spinach, Kidney Beans, Peas, and Edamame.
Dried Fruits, such as Raisins, Apricots, Peaches, and Prunes.
Leafy Greens, such as Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, and Collards Greens.

7. Zinc

Zinc structurally supports the proteins that build new cells, tissue, and DNA. In addition, it helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. All improving your hair growth and repair.

It even supports your immune system and helps protect you against infections.

BEST FOODS WITH ZINC TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Lean Beef, and Poultry.
Nuts, such as Cashews, Almonds, and Peanuts.
Fortified Breakfast Cereals.

8. Protein

Did you know that hair is pretty much entirely made up of protein? Making consumption of this nutrient extremely important for hair growth. Amino acids, the primary building blocks of the protein helps build and repair cells like collagen.

Luckily protein can be found in many foods.

BEST FOODS WITH PROTEIN TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Lean Meats such as Beef, Lamb, Veal, and Poultry.
Fish such as Tuna and Salmon
Dairy products such as Milk, Greek Yogurt, and Cheeses

9. Selenium

Selenium is required for the synthesis of more than 35 proteins, which your hair is mostly made up of. Selenium proteins play an important role in DNA synthesis and the formation of thyroid hormones. Being that hair follicles nutrients through blood, it is able to uptake selenium in its matrix during keratinization.

Selenium also protects the body from damage caused by free radicals and from infection.

Selenium food sources for hair loss

★ BEST FOODS WITH SELENIUM TO CONSUME FOR REGROWTH OF LOST HAIR

Fish, such as Sardines, and Tuna (canned light).
Nuts, such as Brazil Nuts.
Grass-fed Beef, and Poultry.
Dairy Products, such as Eggs.
Vegetables, such as Mushrooms, and Asparagus.

★ BEST PRENATAL VITAMIN FOR HAIR LOSS

One of the best over-the-counter prenatal vitamins for hair loss is Feed Mom & Me Complete Prenatal with DHA. It is backed with all the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair growth.

This prenatal is formulated by an OBGYN & Registered Dietitian, containing all the nutrients needed to conceive and during pregnancy. Each small and easy-to-swallow pill is packed with 22 key natural nutrients to provide nutritional support for you and your growing baby. It contains Folate (methyl folate form), DHA, Iron, Calcium, Choline, Biotin, Zinc, Magnesium, and Selenium.

The vegetarian formula is free of artificial colors or flavors, chemicals, preservatives, non-GMO, dairy, soy, or gluten-free. Each of their capsules contains B6, Organic Ginger, and Peppermint Powder, which can help alleviate morning sickness and nausea.

Adding to that, it is a women-owned company. Who better than a female would understand pregnancy!

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