When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start and What Can I Do About It in 2026?
A new baby brings many changes. You may find yourself smiling at your baby’s cooing, doing laundry at 3 a.m., watching them nap peacefully, weathering long cries through the night… and feeling a joy you’ve never known.
At the same time, giving birth brings many changes to your body, as your hormone levels fluctuate like crazy. These changes can show up in everything from your body shape to your skin and your hair.
You might notice your once-full hair getting thinner, with more and more hair appearing on your brush or in the shower drain. This is known as postpartum hair loss, and it is a common experience for new mothers.
At Hair Enhancements, we get it: several of the people on our team have gone through hair loss themselves, including postpartum hair loss. We know how it can affect your self-image, which is why there is something we want you to know before we dive deeper into postpartum hair loss…
You are a rockstar! You are truly beautiful, inside and out. You sustained a tiny, adorable life in your body for nine months and successfully brought him or her into the world. You deserve immense credit for all that you’ve done to get to this point.
With that encouragement in mind – how amazing you are just to be on this page – we can start to define what postpartum hair loss is and what you can do about it.
What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?
Postpartum hair loss, also known as telogen effluvium, takes place when your hormone levels drop after childbirth.
During pregnancy, it’s common for your hair to get thicker. This is because being pregnant elevates your estrogen levels. Estrogen contributes to both the thickness and the amount of hair on your head.
After giving birth, it’s natural for your hormone levels to return to prepregnancy levels – and the drop in estrogen, in particular, can cause hair loss.
Postpartum hair loss is common, affecting 50% to 80% of women, and the good news is that it is usually temporary – though it’s important to remember that, as with all kinds of hair loss, stress and nutrition also play a role.
Dealing with postpartum hair loss can feel hugely stressful when you’re already juggling so much. Maybe you feel like things aren’t going as you imagined or hoped, and you find yourself feeling anxious, sad, or even guilty.
If that’s you, know that these feelings are perfectly normal, especially when they come and go. But if they keep going on for more than a few weeks, you might want to let your doctor know, or consider reaching out to friends, family, or a therapist for help, as that could be a sign that something deeper is going on.
What Is The Timeline Associated With Postpartum Hair Loss?
A lot of people want to know about how postpartum hair loss plays out – what its timeline is, when it starts, and when you can expect it to end. Let’s rapid-fire some general questions along these lines:
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When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start?
Postpartum hair loss typically begins 3 to 6 months after giving birth. If you are breastfeeding, you will likely still be producing the extra estrogen, so any hair loss might not start until you wean your baby.
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How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?
Postpartum hair loss usually lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 months. For most mothers, it takes a year before their hair returns to its normal thickness, texture, and volume.
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When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Stop?
As we just said, postpartum hair loss typically lasts up to 12 months – but that process can look different for everyone. If you are experiencing significant hair loss or noticing bald spots, you should consult your primary care physician or dermatologist to rule out other potential causes.
6 Postpartum Hair Loss Remedies
While there’s not much you can do to prevent postpartum hair loss (as it’s a natural part of the pregnancy and childbirth process), here are six ways to help your hair as it regrows.
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Volumizing shampoo and conditioner
Using volumizing shampoo and conditioner won’t make your hair thicker, but it may make it look fuller. Volumizing products coat your hair, lifting it at the roots and giving it body.
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Gentleness
Being gentle with your hair can reduce damage as your hair is reacclimating to lower hormone levels. You may want to avoid heated styling tools, rough brushing, and tight ponytails and braids. Each of these can put undue strain on your hair and could even cause further damage as your hair is growing back.
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Hairstyle
You could also think about changing your hairstyle. Shorter hairstyles typically look fuller naturally (as they aren’t as heavy on your head). Additionally, short hair can be much easier to care for, making it one less thing you have to deal with while you are adjusting to new demands as the mother of a newborn.
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Nutrition
We know it can be difficult to remember to feed yourself with a new baby, and ensuring you always have proper nutrition can be even more challenging. Yet having appropriate amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals can help your hair get the nutrients it needs to regrow strong and full.
If you can, try to rope in your husband, partner, family members, or friends to help you eat healthily – it’s much easier to get the right nutrition when you have the right people encouraging and supporting you.
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Reduce Stress
There can be sooo much stress involved with caring for a newborn – sleepless nights will do that to you. Stress of all kinds affects your body, mental health, and relationships, which is why finding ways to manage it in a healthy way can go a long way towards helping your quality of life in general, and your hair regrowth in particular.
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Wigs And Toppers
The thought of using a wig or hair topper might feel like a bold idea for you, but why not take a chance? Wigs and toppers can reduce the time and effort required to maintain your preferred hairstyle, and they can help you look fabulous even when you’re going through other challenges.
Wigs or toppers matched to your previous hairstyle might even help you feel more like yourself when the rest of your life is changing – especially if you use them as a temporary solution while your hair is growing back (that’s why glueless wigs like those we offer are so helpful for protecting healthy hair regrowth.)
To make things easy, we offer a complimentary consultation – either online or in-person – to help determine the best solution for your postpartum hair loss.
In that free consultation, we’ll talk through your style preferences (size, texture, hair density, length, color, etc.) and budget in a safe, confidential setting.
We love taking time to listen to your story, understand your hair loss concerns, and get to know you better, so we can help guide you to the perfect fit for your situation. That’s literally why we’re here!
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Book Your Confidential Consultation
Schedule a secure video call or private in-person appointment at a time that works for you. We’ll take time to listen, understand your needs, and gently guide you toward your perfect fit.
If you’re not ready to reach out yet, you can always explore our range of custom-made, high-end wigs on our online store to get a sense of the care, artistry, and attention to detail we pour into each piece.