Post Pregnancy Hair loss - Remind me when it stops before I panic

[onehitwonder]

Although this is my second time around, I am still freaking out slightly at the sheer volume of hair I am losing - it looks like I have hairy gloves on when I wash my hair - the house looks like we have a dog (thank God I plumped for the pet friendly hoover despite having no pets ). DD has started announcing to strangers that 'my mum is like a dog' .
It started about 6 weeks ago, so about 3 months post delivery - when will it stop??? I can't remember how long it went on for last time (baby brain in full force here).

[daisyj]

Mine started about 10 weeks post delivery and went on for about 10 weeks. It's a bit scary, isn't it? Funnily enough, dd was born with thick thatch of dark hair, which started falling out at the same time mine did, and stopped at the same time too. Weird.

Lol at 'my mum is like a dog'.

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

watching thread with interest because I can't remember when it stopped the first time around

...or it may prompt me to google-research this...

almost 8 months post-birth and am still pulling out clumps

it is freaky, you're right!

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

ok, here you go: your drains will keep blocking until baby us a year old

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

us is

[onehitwonder]

Crap - good job I love hats .

I couldn't get the link to work Wellies - a year seriously? I won't have any hair left.

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

here you go

"It is common to lose hair following the birth of a baby. This usually occurs around three months after delivery. During pregnancy there is a rise in hormones and because of this the hair that normally falls out is kept. Following delivery the hormones gradually return to normal and the extra hair starts to fall out and the cycle returns to normal. This hair loss is temporary and by six or twelve months the hair has usually returned to normal.

The following are some suggestions that may help:

Try to avoid the use of rollers, braids or pigtails that could stress your hair
Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables which are rich in vitamins and can encourage hair growth
Wash hair gently and avoid using fine combs and use shampoos and conditioners that nourish hair, there are several on the market but you could also ask your hairdresser for advice.
When blow drying your hair try to use the cooler settings
Consider taking Evening Primrose Oil because the essential fatty acids nourish the scalp and may help to slow down the hair loss and it would be a good idea to ask your pharmacist for advice about the recommended dosage."

[Montifer]

Think it starts to slow down somewhere between starting to panic and shopping for hats

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

pmsl at finding time to blow dry my hair

[onehitwonder]

So cake and a croydon facelift aren't going to help then .

Seriously - ponytails are my default option and without putting my hair up DS joins in the fun and pulls out a few handfuls.

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

with you on the ponytail

do you not think there is sense in the idea that our hair becomes 'easily removable' at precisely the age that our DC reach the age when they grab, hold tight, and tug at anything, esp hair?

[onehitwonder]

ahhh a sort of self preservation tactic by our scalps? - interesting!

[WelliesAndPyjamas]

exactly!