Women are often alarmed by the amount and speed at which their hair begins to fall out during breastfeeding after the birth of a baby, especially since hair can be found all over the house. Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy also contribute to this, creating the feeling that hair is falling out uncontrollably. In fact, it’s just that the hormones, which were previously altered and produced in excess, are returning to their normal levels in the body. This causes the hair to return to its normal cycle, so there’s no need to panic when you notice hair falling out while breastfeeding1. Adult women typically lose 100 to 125 hairs per day, but in the postpartum period, hair loss can reach up to 500 strands per day. This happens because, during pregnancy, hair looks radiant, shinier, softer, and stronger due to hormonal imbalances. The average amount of hair that used to fall out before pregnancy decreases considerably during pregnancy. Therefore, after the baby is born, hair begins to fall out again, including the strands that didn’t fall out during pregnancy.

Tips to Reduce Hair Loss

Some things can be done to minimize hair loss during breastfeeding, since for women, hair health greatly affects self-esteem. After all, nothing is more bothersome (even knowing it’s a normal process) than seeing your own hair in the shower drain, bedroom, living room, and everywhere you go, right? Check out some tips below on what you can do to try to minimize hair loss during breastfeeding:

Be More Careful

Not that you’re not already careful with your hair. As mentioned, hair loss due to hormonal changes is inevitable. What you can do is try to minimize it as much as possible, because hair is more fragile and needs even more attention. Therefore, adopt healthy habits to help reduce hair loss. This includes the way you wash, comb, massage, and dry your hair, as these habits greatly impact its appearance and health. Here are some tips on how to do this:

  • Because hair is fragile, it doesn’t need to be washed every day, three times a week is enough, or if you prefer, alternate days.
  • When combing hair, choose soft-bristle brushes that won’t damage the hair, and preferably leave your hair loose rather than tied up.
  • When drying your hair, use a soft towel and gently blot the strands, avoid twisting or rubbing them in the towel; light dabs are enough.
  • Massage your scalp, as this stimulates hair growth.

Healthy Diet

To live a healthy life, you also need healthy habits, as there is a saying that “you are what you eat” and that’s absolutely true. Everything you eat is reflected on the outside, and your hair is no exception to this rule2. Hair is made up of proteins, so it only makes sense to eat foods rich in protein as well as other nutritious foods: – Foods rich in protein– Eggs, meats, milk, yogurt, etc. – Foods containing vitamin A – carrots, spinach, fish oils, liver, etc. – Foods containing iron – Beans, beets, parsley, red meat, fish, chicken, etc. – Foods containing zinc – Brazil nuts, whole grains, oysters, shrimp, legumes, etc. Another useful tip to complement a healthy, nutrient-rich diet is to make fortified juices to drink. Just combine more than one fruit in your juice, and you will certainly have a drink that’s even richer in nutrients.

IMPORTANT: As soon as you start noticing hair loss, it is essential to see a doctor. In addition to recommending a good diet, your doctor can prescribe medications to help with treatment.

How to Treat Hair Loss During Breastfeeding?

Strategies to minimize hair loss during breastfeeding have been discussed above. But even more important than minimizing is treating the hair loss, because it’s no use following all the tips without proper treatment. So, as soon as you notice hair loss that starts to bother you, it is essential to see a doctor immediately. Even though hair loss is normal for most women during breastfeeding, the follow-up of a specialized professional is indispensable. With medical exams, the doctor can actually determine what is happening and will be able to better guide you. After being properly monitored by professionals such as dermatologists and nutritionists, new hair will begin to grow normally and within a few months, hair will be as thick as before. However, it is important to emphasize again the importance of a doctor’s supervision, because postpartum hair loss may be linked to a genetic predisposition such as diabetes, thyroid issues, or even baldness. During appointments, doctors usually advise their patients to eat a healthier diet including nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains. However, women with a genetic predisposition to the causes of hair loss may find that just eating these foods is not enough. In this case, the doctor may prescribe some medications containing vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to supplement the diet. So, if this is your case, not undergoing proper treatment may only worsen your hair loss.

How Can Hair Loss Be Prevented?

To try to prevent excessive hair loss, follow-up with professionals such as a dermatologist and nutritionist should begin during pregnancy, ideally from the start. These professionals will guide you towards a healthier and more balanced diet. A rich and complete diet with all the nutrients you need will help minimize post-birth hair loss. Other factors that should also be considered are water intake and hair hygiene. Staying hydrated is important because, in addition to supporting breast milk production, it contributes to strong, healthy hair. It’s also important to clean your hair properly, always remembering that after childbirth it is fragile, and not to let scalp dirt accumulate, which can lead to dandruff or even seborrhea. Another important factor is to maintain a calm and healthy lifestyle, because stress greatly contributes to hair loss3. And remember to look for a doctor for better guidance; only a doctor can answer your questions and explain what is happening in your body. Remember, each body reacts differently in certain situations, so what may work for someone else may not work for you. Be careful with home remedies and miracle recipes, because your condition could worsen. Also Read: Postpartum Care After Maternity