5 tips to combat post-pregnancy hair loss

Many women dread it. And we understand why! After pregnancy and childbirth, seriously... our bodies deserve a little break, don't they? Fortunately, while it can't be completely avoided, postpartum hair loss can be significantly reduced, especially thanks to the tips and tricks of Milk Away MUMs. #wearewomum #teamwomum

First things first: don't panic! Losing your hair around 3 months after giving birth or when you stop breastfeeding is perfectly normal . And in the vast majority of cases, this hair loss is reversible . So, even if you don't exactly greet the news with open arms and a happy dance, reassure yourself by saying that it's just a rough patch. Honestly, we've seen worse, right? #childbirth #womenaresuperheroines We also invite you to read our article on 10 great tips to make returning home easier after giving birth . Temporary hair loss compared to the sleep deprivation that's practically torture for the next three years is really nothing...

In fact, hair loss is n't as rare as you might think in a woman's life, and it's not always specifically linked to pregnancy. Indeed, at least one in three women will experience hair loss at some point in their lives. The causes are numerous and varied, much to our delight: intense stress, even post-traumatic stress in some cases, an overly aggressive perm or straightening treatment, a poorly tolerated change of season due to a weakened immune system, a severe allergy, a poor overall diet, and so on. And as is often the case, poor overall lifestyle habits have impacts on various levels, including hair health.

There's hair loss and then there's hair loss.

A quick clarification before we trigger a surge in dermatologist appointments: everyone loses hair daily (even without realizing it) because these fibers naturally have a limited lifespan of two to five years. On average, we lose about a hundred hairs every day: while sleeping, styling our hair, getting dressed, washing, and simply going about our daily lives. Their life cycle consists of three phases that follow one another naturally and ensure a relatively stable hair density.

And it's important to point out that, unfortunately, not everyone is born equal in this regard. 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 volume to take extra care of it by favoring gentle shampoos and treatments, and avoiding damaging it with excessive coloring, bleaching, or other heated styling tools.

Pregnancy and hair loss: but WHY?

Why, why me, why now? The question is always essentially the same, only the intonation of despair varies (always depending on your sleep hours... it all depends on that bar!).

After giving birth, you lose your hair simply because you experience a dramatic hormonal drop . The estrogen that gave you a radiant complexion and shiny hair decides the job is done, done well, and finished, and it disappears. Frankly, the cowards! The biggest part of being a parent is still to come, and they run away from the challenge. Pffft! You take these estrogen deserters and add a good dose of stress and fatigue, and bam, bam, boom, your hair is saying "darn it!" (Yes, darn it, or oh dear, or even "Wednesday." You might as well get used to not using swear words right away because children repeat everything, especially at the wrong time in front of the wrong person: the pediatrician, the teacher, the mother-in-law. Making you look like a barely respectable parent.)

Postpartum hair loss is normal and very common . So there's no need to worry; simply try to minimize the damage . Consult a specialist if it persists for more than 5 to 6 months and worsens over time.

5 solutions for post-pregnancy hair loss

There aren't a thousand of them and none are miraculous, but all together they help to limit the amount and duration of post-pregnancy hair loss.

1. Opt for gentle hair care . Your hair isn't in great shape, so now's not the time to damage it further. Choose nourishing shampoos and conditioners , preferably with as many natural 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 products correctly: conditioner and hair masks should not be applied to the scalp (unless otherwise specified) as this can make it oily and weigh down the hair. Furthermore, each product should be rinsed thoroughly with clean water. When using a hairdryer, hold it 15-20 cm away from the roots to avoid heat damage and irritation. Also, remember to give yourself regular scalp massages. Position your hands in a pincer shape and make small circular motions with your fingertips. Apply moderate pressure that should remain pleasant. This stimulation boosts blood circulation under the skin and promotes hair growth.
2. Pay attention to your diet and lifestyle . This is truly important. After giving birth, you accumulate a lot of fatigue , experience periods of stress , and undergo hormonal changes . Your body needs energy, vitamins, and good food to regain strength and function normally. Eating healthily greatly helps to restore balance and get things back on track. Nutrition is also extremely important for breastfeeding mothers.
3. We try to get enough sleep . We know. We imagine that reading this sentence is making you laugh nervously... It's clearly easier said than done, but it's obvious that when exhausted, the body goes into survival mode and everything is thrown into disarray. Getting enough quality sleep greatly helps to regain strong, shiny hair (and a more human-looking complexion, incidentally).
4. We're taking a course of vitamins . Yes, BUT! We're not playing at being witches, especially not if we're breastfeeding. There are many options on the market (capsules containing B vitamins, amino acids, zinc, iron, etc.) , but not all are compatible with breastfeeding. We're not taking any risks and we're seeking advice from a pharmacist, midwife, dermatologist (who can prescribe Minoxidil 5% depending on your skin type), or gynecologist. Some gynecologists even advise new mothers to continue taking pregnancy vitamins for the first two or three months after giving birth. For those fortunate enough to experience only mild hair loss, vitamins are a real solution that provides quick and very satisfying results. "The vitamin treatments worked incredibly well for me. I must admit I started with a good base of hair because I've always had a lot of fairly strong hair despite my passion for coloring it since I was 14. My hair loss began about three months after giving birth, which coincided with the end of breastfeeding (a period during which, on the advice of my gynecologist, I continued taking my pregnancy vitamins). I noticed within just a few days of weaning that I was losing much more hair than usual. So I asked my gynecologist for advice and started a postpartum vitamin treatment. The amount of hair loss quickly decreased, and three months later, it had stopped completely, and I had regained my pre-pregnancy volume. I was overjoyed!" Marie-Noëlle, Milk Away MUM.
5. Thinking about getting a new haircut ? Why subject yourself to the daily sight of your long hair littering the shower drain? That's just self-inflicted pain. Take advantage of the situation and treat yourself to a trip to the hairdresser (which might also be necessary to tame those unruly little hairs that will appear around your face once your hair grows out). It's the perfect time to give yourself some me-time, get out of the house, pamper yourself, and refresh your look. You can only feel better afterward.

And if you're fed up, if nothing's going right today, if you want your old mane back, right now, this very instant: let it all out and have a good cry (or a good scream. There are two schools of thought, and they're equally effective). That feels amazing and relieves a lot of stress. Don't put too much pressure on yourself; you're gorgeous and beautiful, and soon you'll feel much better about yourself. And baby, clearly, doesn't care about the state of your hair. With or without you, you're his amazing #wondermum.

In addition to these tips, feel free to check out our online shop and our breastfeeding outfits that allow you to feel comfortable in your clothes while breastfeeding discreetly.

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