Postpartum hair loss is common and usually temporary: it generally starts 2 to 4 months after giving birth and settles on its own within the following 6 to 12 months. It is caused by the drop in pregnancy hormones, which makes hairs that should have fallen out over the previous nine months shed all at once. Here is why it happens, how long it lasts, what breastfeeding changes, when to see a doctor and how to get through this period more calmly.
Why does hair fall out after giving birth?
Each hair follows a cycle: a long growing phase, then a resting phase of a few months, after which it falls out and makes way for a new one. Normally these cycles are staggered from one hair to the next, and we lose a small amount of hair every day without noticing.
During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels lengthen the growing phase. Many women find their hair thicker and shinier: it simply sheds less. After the birth, hormones return abruptly to their usual levels. A large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, then fall out together a few weeks later. Doctors call this telogen effluvium. It is not a disease of the hair: the root stays in place and a new hair grows back.
When does it start and how long does it last?
| Period | What happens | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| During pregnancy | Shedding is usually reduced and the hair looks fuller. | Nothing in particular; if you lose more hair, talk to your doctor or midwife. |
| 2 to 4 months after the birth | Shedding begins: hair comes out in handfuls in the brush, the shower or on the pillow. | Detangle gently, avoid tight hairstyles, eat regular meals. |
| Around the fourth month | This is often the peak: the temples thin out and the parting looks wider. | Conceal the lighter areas if they bother you; have your iron and thyroid checked if you are very tired. |
| Between 6 and 12 months | Shedding slows down and returns to normal; short new hairs appear along the forehead and temples. | Be patient: length comes back at about a centimetre a month. |
| After one year | Shedding that carries on is no longer typical of the postpartum period. | See your GP or a dermatologist. |
Getting your full length back takes longer, because hair only grows about a centimetre a month. To get a sense of the pace, read our article on how fast hair grows each month. Those short, flyaway hairs along your forehead are good news: they show regrowth is under way.
Does breastfeeding make a difference?
Breastfeeding is not the cause of postpartum hair loss: it also happens to women who do not breastfeed, because it comes from the drop in hormones at birth. Breastfeeding does not trigger it, and stopping breastfeeding does not make it end sooner.
Breastfeeding does matter indirectly, though. It increases your energy and nutrient needs at a time when nights are short and meals are often rushed. Some women also notice a small rise in shedding when they wean or when their periods return, as hormones shift again. This is usually temporary too.
What about hair loss during pregnancy?
Most women lose less hair during pregnancy. If you are losing more, especially in the first trimester or very noticeably, talk to your doctor or midwife: low iron or a thyroid problem, both common at this time, can explain it and are checked with a simple blood test.
When to worry and see a doctor
Shedding that starts a few months after the birth and gradually eases is expected. See your doctor, midwife or a dermatologist in the following situations:
- The shedding lasts beyond 6 to 12 months, or does not slow down at all.
- You feel very tired, pale or short of breath: iron deficiency is common after giving birth, especially if there was significant blood loss. Do not take iron without a test: your doctor will check your ferritin first.
- You have palpitations, unusual tiredness, or unexplained weight gain or loss: postpartum thyroiditis, a temporary inflammation of the thyroid in the year after birth, can keep the shedding going.
- Bald patches appear, your scalp itches or hurts, or your parting keeps widening after the shedding has calmed down. Pregnancy can reveal thinning with another cause: see our article on thinning hair in women.
For other causes of hair loss in women (stress, deficiencies, contraception, hairstyles), our guide to hair loss in young women covers the whole subject.
What really helps
Nothing can completely prevent postpartum shedding, since it follows hormones returning to normal. But a few simple habits stop it getting worse and help your hair grow back in good conditions.
Eat enough and eat a varied diet
Hair needs protein, iron, zinc and vitamins to grow back. Keep to regular meals, even simple ones: eggs, fish, pulses, meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. If your doctor prescribed vitamins during pregnancy or breastfeeding, ask whether to continue them. Avoid strict diets in the months after the birth: they can trigger shedding themselves.
Be gentle with your hair
Detangle with a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends. Avoid brushing wet hair, which is more fragile. Turn down the hairdryer and limit straighteners. A mild shampoo is enough: washing your hair does not make more of it fall out, it only removes hairs that had already come loose.
Hairstyles that do not pull
With a baby in your arms, it is tempting to tie your hair back very tightly. Choose a loose plait, a low bun or a claw clip, and change position from one day to the next. Repeated tension on the same hairs, especially at the temples, adds to the shedding. A slightly shorter or layered cut also gives more visual volume during this period.
Anti-hair-loss treatments: ask your doctor first
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask your doctor or midwife before applying any anti-hair-loss product to your scalp, including cosmetic serums and essential oils such as rosemary. Some treatments, such as minoxidil, are not recommended at this time. In most cases postpartum shedding stops on its own: patience remains the best remedy.
Covering the temples and parting in the meantime
Postpartum hair loss shows mostly at the temples, the hairline and along the parting. While you wait for regrowth, you can simply disguise these areas. A hair thickening powder, a 4 g pressed powder available in 6 shades, is dabbed onto the lighter area with its sponge: it tints the scalp and the base of the hair to match your roots, and the skin that was showing through disappears. It resists rain and sweat, then washes out with shampoo.
It is not a treatment: it does not make hair grow, it stays on the surface, like make-up. That is why it suits this period, when you avoid applying active ingredients to the scalp. If you have sensitive skin, test it on a small area first. For questions about ingredients and tolerance, see our article is hair thickening powder safe?
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology, Hair loss in new moms: dermatologist tips, 2025
- Gizlenti S, Ekmekci TR, The changes in the hair cycle during gestation and the post-partum period, J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol, 2014
Frequently asked questions
How long does postpartum hair loss last?
It starts 2 to 4 months after the birth, is often heaviest around the fourth month and usually settles between 6 and 12 months. If it lasts more than a year, talk to your doctor.
Does breastfeeding make hair loss worse?
No, it is not the cause: shedding comes from the drop in hormones after the birth and also affects women who do not breastfeed. A small rise can occur when weaning.
How can I reduce hair loss after giving birth?
Eat regular, varied meals, have your iron and thyroid checked if you are very tired, avoid tight hairstyles and high heat, and detangle gently.
Can I use an anti-hair-loss product while breastfeeding?
Ask your doctor or midwife first, including for cosmetic serums and rosemary oil. A thickening powder, which stays on the surface, lets you cover thin areas in the meantime.
Is it normal to still be losing hair a year after giving birth?
Shedding that lasts more than a year is no longer typical of the postpartum period. See your doctor to look for iron deficiency, a thyroid problem or another cause of thinning.
