Losing hair after having a baby

Around three months after giving birth, a lot of women notice hair coming out in handfuls. In the shower, on the pillow, in the brush. It looks alarming. For most women it’s normal, and it stops on its own.

Some people call this postpartum alopecia. Alopecia is a general term for hair loss, and this type is a temporary shedding that doctors call telogen effluvium.

Why it happens

Hormone changes after birth are thought to push hairs into the shedding phase together. The British Association of Dermatologists lists childbirth as a common trigger. Doctors call it telogen effluvium. It often starts around three months after the birth. The shedding phase usually lasts three to six months, and hair can take many months to return to its normal volume.

What’s normal

Shedding all over the head rather than in patches. Noticeably more hair than before, but no bald spots. Thinning around the hairline and parting is common. New short baby hairs growing in along the front are a good sign — that’s regrowth.

When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?

It often starts around three months after the birth. The shedding phase usually lasts three to six months, and hair can take many months to return to its normal volume. Try the postpartum hair loss timeline.

When to see someone

If it’s still heavy after six months, if you see bald patches rather than general thinning, if your scalp is sore, itchy or flaky, or if you’re also unusually tired or unwell, mention it to your GP, who may check your iron and thyroid.

Why tracking matters

The hard part isn’t the shedding — it’s not knowing whether it’s getting better. By the time you get to a GP you can’t remember what it looked like in month two, and “I think it’s a bit less” isn’t much for a doctor to go on. One photo of your parting each month, in the same light, tells you and them exactly what’s happening. If it doesn’t settle, you’ll have the evidence to get taken seriously.