Postpartum hair loss is common. Most new moms are surprised to find out that they shed more hair in the first few weeks after giving birth than  usual  Don’t panic. Your hair will come back to normal by your baby’s first birthday.

Why does postpartum hair loss occur ?

85 to 95% of the hair on your hair normally grows. The remaining 5 to 15%  is the resting stage. After the resting period,  the hair falls out during brushing or shampooing and is replaced by new growth.

However during pregnancy, increased levels of estrogen prolongs the growing stage. There are fewer hairs in the resting stage and fewer hair falling off. As a result your hair is thicker.

After childbirth, estrogen levels decline  and a lot more hair follicles enter the resting stage. As a result your  hair falls off when you shampoo or brush. This will however tamper off in about 6 to 12 months after child birth.

How to manage postpartum hair loss

There is no way to stop postpartum hair loss. This condition is temporary and you do not need to do anything about it. However if it bothers you , there are things you can do

• use volumizing shampoo to make your hair  look fuller
• avoid conditioning shampoo because they can weight on your hair and make them look limp
• use conditioner formulated for fine hair . These do not weigh  the hair down
• avoid conditioners labeled intensive conditioners
• use conditioner primarily on the ends of the hair
• try hair styles that make your hair look fuller . Some haircuts make hair look fuller

NOTE

New moms should   watch our for hair tourniquets. It forms when a strand of hair falls out and wraps around a baby’s toe, finger, or other body part. It can wrap  so tightly that circulation could be cut off or an infection can occur. However this is very rare. If you find your baby crying for no apparent reason, check for tight bands of hair.