Is postpartum hair loss normal?

Yes. Postpartum hair loss, or postpartum telogen effluvium, affects a large proportion of new mothers. During pregnancy raised oestrogen keeps hair in its growing phase, so very little sheds. After birth those hormone levels fall and all that retained hair moves into the shedding phase at once.

When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?

Shedding usually begins around two to three months after birth and peaks at around four months. For most women it settles by six to twelve months postpartum, with density gradually returning after that.

Will my hair grow back after having a baby?

In the great majority of cases yes. Postpartum shedding is hair being released early from a normal cycle, not follicles being lost. The short, wispy regrowth around the hairline that many mothers notice at six to nine months is a good sign the cycle has restarted.

Can I take hair supplements while breastfeeding?

Always check with your GP, midwife or pharmacist before taking any supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding. Nutrient needs are higher during this period, but some ingredients and doses are not recommended, so professional advice comes first.

What helps postpartum hair loss?

Time is the main factor, supported by good iron, protein and overall nutrition, gentle handling of wet hair, avoiding tight styles, and loose, low-heat styling. Ask your GP to check ferritin and thyroid levels if shedding is heavy or continues beyond a year.

Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens & When It Stops

Quick answer: Postpartum shedding is caused by the drop in oestrogen after birth pushing a large batch of hair into the resting phase at the same time. It typically starts at 2–3 months, peaks around 4 months, and settles between 6 and 12 months postpartum. It is temporary, and the hair almost always grows back.

Why your hair falls out after having a baby

At any moment, most of your hair is in a growing phase and a small proportion is resting before it sheds. Pregnancy changes that balance. High oestrogen levels hold hair in the growing phase for longer, which is why so many women describe their hair during pregnancy as the thickest it has ever been. Very little was actually being added — you simply stopped losing the amount you normally would.

After birth, oestrogen falls sharply. All of that retained hair moves into the resting phase together, and roughly three months later it releases together too. That is the shower drain, the pillow, the hairbrush. It looks catastrophic because months of normal shedding is arriving in a few weeks. The medical name is postpartum telogen effluvium.

The timeline most mothers experience

Stage	What you notice
Birth to 2 months	Usually nothing. Hair still feels thick.
2–3 months	Shedding begins. More hair in the brush and the shower.
Around 4 months	The peak. This is when most women panic. Hairline and temples look thinnest.
6–9 months	Shedding slows. Short, fine regrowth appears around the hairline and parting.
9–12 months	Density steadily returns. The wispy baby hairs lengthen and blend in.

Those short flyaway hairs around your forehead are not damage — they are new growth. They are the clearest sign your cycle has reset.

What actually helps

1. Protect your iron and protein intake

Pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding all draw heavily on iron and protein stores, and low ferritin is one of the most common reasons postpartum shedding drags on longer than it should. Ask your GP for a ferritin and full blood count if the shedding is heavy or has not eased by around nine months. Hair is made of protein, so a genuinely low-calorie or low-protein diet while recovering will slow regrowth.

2. Be gentle with hair that is already stressed

Avoid tight ponytails, buns and repeated tight braiding, which add traction on top of the shedding.
Detangle from the ends upwards with a wide-tooth comb rather than pulling from the roots.
Keep heat styling low and infrequent while the new growth is short and fragile.
Don't over-wash trying to stop the shedding — the hair released in the shower was already going to fall.

3. Support the regrowth phase nutritionally

Once you are through the peak, the goal shifts from stopping shedding to feeding the new growth. Nutrients that matter most for the regrowth phase are biotin, zinc, iron support with vitamin C, vitamin D and sulphur-rich MSM — the same combination covered in our guide to the best hair growth supplements in the UK. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist before starting any supplement.

What does not help

Thickening shampoos alone. They coat the strand. They cannot change the growth cycle.
High-dose biotin gummies on their own. Biotin only helps if you are actually short of it, and high doses can interfere with some blood tests — including thyroid tests you may need.
Cutting it all off in a panic. Length has no effect on shedding. Do it if you want to, not because you think it will stop the loss.

When postpartum shedding is something else

Postpartum telogen effluvium is diffuse — it thins everywhere rather than in one spot. Get it checked if you see distinct bald patches, if the scalp is sore or scaly, if shedding is still heavy past twelve months, or if it comes with exhaustion, feeling cold, low mood or irregular periods. Postpartum thyroiditis is common and very treatable, and it is worth ruling out. Our guide to why hair thins covers the other causes worth considering.

When to see your GP. Supplements support healthy hair growth — they are not a treatment for medical hair loss. Book an appointment if your hair is falling out in clumps, you have bald patches, a sore, scaly or itchy scalp, or if the shedding started suddenly or came with other symptoms such as fatigue, weight change or irregular periods. A simple blood test can rule out thyroid problems and iron deficiency.

Feeding your hair through the regrowth phase

Glowwa Hair Food combines biotin, zinc, iron support, MSM and vitamin D in one daily dose. Free UK delivery on every order. Check with your GP or midwife first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens and When It Stops