Advice for postnatal hair loss

[Pingwingmama]

Hello, my LO is now 3 1/2 months old and exclusively BF, and up til this point I haven't had any real shedding of my hair since I got pregnant. But the last week my hair has been falling out in droves. I have already bought a shampoo recommended to me by a family friend with the same issue, but I wondered if there are any protective hairstyles or haircare that may help? I have type 2a/2b wavy hair, thats halfway down my back, and I really dont want to have to cut it just to reduce the weight pulling it out at the root. Any tips are HUGELY appreciated 🥰

It's so horrible isn't it?! No advice really just that it's normal and it does pass.
I used to have to plait mine overnight so that I didn't wake up to hair all over my pillow in the morning 🤢

I might try plaiting it, ive been putting it in a bun so probably making it worse! Doesn't help that LO has started really gripping it and pulling!

If it's shedding because of hormones than shampoo won't really help, have you looked at supplements ?

unfortunately nothing helps, certainly not a shampoo (though some will make your hair feel thicker).
it’s awful (sorry). It does stop though of its own accord.

Shampoo etc won't make a difference, sadly. Hair goes into telogen during pregnancy, so you lose less than normal. Your body then starts playing catch up, the hair cycle moves into anagen and you lose the hair you should have lost. It will take 6-12 months to even out, but it is completely normal.

Totally normal and nothing you can do to stop it.
If it becomes extreme (bald patches) you may be deficient in something, but unless this happens it is literally just the EXTRA hair falling out, so you are just reverting to your pre-pregnancy hair iyswim.

Both times I've just had mine cut quite short as I seem to suffer with it a lot, and this helped (the feeling if not the reality). I've had friends who haven't experienced this at all so I think it's just pot luck with your hormones. Sorry OP I know it's shit. It grows back - mine is fine at the front now 18 months post partum after second baby.

Thanks all! Seems like its a waiting game sadly, but I'll just keep trying to look after it enough to not get tatty and knotted so it doesnt pull more out! Just goes to show the glamour doesnt end with the pregnancy 😂

Totally agree, less is more. Just be gentle, don't overbrush, until it recovers.