Postpartum hair loss timeline

Wondering how long postpartum hair loss lasts, or when it starts and stops? Postpartum shedding follows a rough pattern. Select how many months ago you gave birth to see where you probably are, what is normal at this stage, and when it is worth seeing a GP.

This tool gives general information based on typical patterns. It is not a diagnosis. If you are concerned about your hair loss, speak to your GP.

Want to see your own progress? Read the postpartum hair loss guide or find out about bald patches after birth.

How the timeline works

Hairs normally rest for two to four months before they shed. After childbirth, far more hairs than usual move into the resting phase at the same time, often around 3 months after the birth, so they shed together. The British Association of Dermatologists lists childbirth as a common trigger of this shedding, which doctors call telogen effluvium. It says the shedding phase usually lasts 3 to 6 months, and that it can take many months for hair to return to normal volume. This temporary shedding is sometimes called postpartum alopecia.