5 tips to combat post-pregnancy hair loss

Many women dread it. Completely understandable! Following pregnancy and childbirth, surely our bodies deserve a break, don't you think? Fortunately, if it can't always be avoided, post-pregnancy hair loss can be greatly reduced thanks to the tips and tricks of Milk Away MUMs. #wearewomum #teamwomum

First of all: don't panic! Losing your hair about 3 months after giving birth or when you stop breastfeeding is completely normal. In the vast majority of cases, this alopecia is reversible. So, even if we don't welcome the news with open arms and a happy dance, we reassure ourselves that it is just a bad moment that won't last forever. Frankly speaking, we've seen worse, haven't we? We suggest you read our article on the 10 best ways to get back home after giving birth. The ephemeral hair loss, as opposed to torture-like sleep deprivation for the next three years, is actually no biggie...

In fact, hair loss is not such an uncommon phenomenon in a woman's life, and not always especially related to pregnancy. At least one woman in three will suffer from hair loss at some point in her life. To our great delight, there are many different causes: intense stress or, in some cases, a post-traumatic shock, special hair treatment, a change of season with some form of immunity drop, a serious allergy, a poor overall diet, etc. As is often the case, a poor overall lifestyle has an impact on various levels, including hair health.

There is hair loss and hair loss

A little clarification, however, before we cause a drastic increase in requests for dermatological consultations: everyone loses hair on a daily basis (even without realising it), since these fibres have a limited lifespan of between two and five years by nature. Every day, we lose an average of a few hundred hairs: while sleeping, styling it, getting dressed, having a wash, or simply living. Their life cycle consists of three phases that follow each other naturally and guarantee a relatively stable density of the hair mass.

It should be pointed out that, unfortunately, we are not all born equal in this respect. Some have thick hair, others thin, some benefit from rapid growth, others don't. That's life! We can only advise those with fine hair and little mass to take special care of it by favouring gentle shampoos and care products, and by avoiding aggressing it with too much colouring, bleaching or other heated styling tools. 

Pregnancy and hair loss: but WHY? 

Why, why me, why now? The question is always more or less the same, only the intonation of despair varies (always depending on how much sleep you get ... it always comes down to this!).

After childbirth, we experience hair loss simply due to a dizzying hormonal drop. The oestrogens that gave us a glowing complexion and shiny hair feel that the job is done, well done and over, and they run away. The cowards, seriously, the biggest job of parenting remains to be done and they run away from the problem. Pfffff! Now take the estrogen deserters and add a good dose of stress and fatigue and bim, bam, boom, you lose hair and say sugar! (Yes sugar, or flipping heck, or even shoot. You might as well get used to not saying rude words anymore because children repeat everything and especially at the wrong time in front of the wrong person: the pediatrician, the teacher, the mother-in-law. This makes you look like a parent who can hardly be trusted).

Postpartum hair loss is normal and very common. So don't worry, just try to damage control. You should consult a specialist if it persists for more than 5 to 6 months and if it worsens with time.

5 solutions to post pregnancy hair loss

There aren't that many and none of them are miraculous but, put them together and you can limit the quantity and duration of post-pregnancy hair loss.

1. We prefer gentle hair care products. Your hair is not in great shape, so now is not the time to stress it and make it even more fragile. Choose nourishing shampoos and treatments, preferably with as manynatural ingredients as possible. When it comes to styling, limit the use of hot irons as much as possible and avoid bleaching, which dries out hair and makes it particularly brittle. It's also important to use care products correctly: conditioners and masks s should not be applied to the scalp (unless otherwise specified), as this can lead to greasy scalp and weighed-down hair. What's more, each treatment should be rinsed thoroughly with clear water. As for the hair dryer, use it 15-20 cm from the roots to avoid heat stroke and irritation. Don't forget to massage your head regularly. Place your hands in a pincer position and use your fingertips to make small circular movements. Apply moderate pressure, but keep it pleasant. This stimulation boosts blood circulation under the skin and promotes hair growth.
2. We pay attention to our diet and lifestyle. This is a really important point. After childbirth, you accumulate a lot of fatigue, and go through periods of stress and hormonal upheaval. Your body needs energy, vitamins and good food to regain its strength and function normally. Healthy eating is a great help in restoring balance and getting things back into order. L Eating well is also extremely important for breastfeeding mothers.
3. We try to get enough sleep. We know. We can imagine that when you read this sentence, you will laugh nervously ... It's clearly easier said than done, but it's obvious that in a state of exhaustion, the body goes into survival mode and everything is turned upside down. Getting enough quality sleep goes a long way towards getting your hair strong and shiny (and your complexion looking human, incidentally.)
4. We're on a vitamin cure. Yes, BUT! Don't play the witch's apprentice, especially if you're breast-feeding. There are many products on the market (capsules containing B vitamins, amino acids, zinc, iron, etc.), but not all of them are compatible with breastfeeding. Don't take any chances, and ask your pharmacist, midwife, dermatologist (who may prescribe Minoxidil 5% depending on your phototype) or gynecologist for advice. Some gynecologists advise new mothers to continue taking pregnancy vitamins for the first two or three months following l delivery. For those lucky enough to have little hair loss, vitamins are a real solution, with rapid and highly satisfactory results. "The vitamin cures worked really well for me. I have to admit that I started out with a good base of hair as I've always had quite strong hair despite my passion for coloring since I was 14. My hair loss started about 3 months after I gave birth, which coincided with l the end of my breastfeeding (during which time, on the advice of my gynecologist, I had continued to take my pregnancy vitamins). I noticed within a few days of weaning that I was losing a lot more hair than usual. So I asked my gynecologist for advice and started a course of post-delivery vitamins. It didn't take long for the amount of hair loss to diminish and, three months later, it had stopped and I had regained my pre-pregnancy mass. I was overjoyed! "Marie-Noëlle, Milk Away MUM.
5. We're thinking of changing our haircut. Why inflict the daily sight of your long hair littering the shower tub? That's how you like to make yourself suffer. Make the most of the situation and treat yourself to a trip to the hairdresser (which may also be necessary to control the crazy little hairs that will appear around the edges of your face once regrowth starts). It's time to give yourself a little me-time, get out of the house, get pampered and give your look a makeover. You can't help but feel better afterwards. 

And if you're fed up, if nothing's going well today, if you want to get your old mane back, now, right now: open the floodgates and have a good cry (or yell. There are two schools of thought and they are both equally effective). This too feels good and relieves stress. Don't put too much pressure on yourself, you're great and beautiful and soon you'll feel better in your shoes. And baby clearly doesn't care about the state of your hair. With or without you, you are his super #wondermum.

In addition to these tips, please feel free to browse our eshop and check out the breastfeeding outfits that allow you to look good in your clothes while nursing discreetly.

#milkawayapparel #inmumwetrust #wearewomum #teamwomum #hair #haircare #hairlove #hairgrowth #hairjourney #postpartumhairloss