After giving birth many women notice hair loss while breastfeeding and although the amount of hair that falls out can vary from woman to woman, the effects are often not pleasant. Breastfeeding helps strengthen the baby's immune system and help you lose weight after delivery. Learn how to prevent hair loss by following these steps.
Steps
Step 1. Find out why you lose more hair while breastfeeding
When you are not pregnant, most of your hair is in the growth phase while 10-15% is in the resting phase. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out naturally, usually when you wash, comb or style it.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy activate more hair follicles in the growth phase, increasing density and making hair appear thicker, fuller and healthier. After giving birth, hormone levels return to normal and the number of follicles in the growth phase decreases. With more hair in the resting phase it is normal for them to appear more frequent
Step 2. Accept that you will have to endure a lot of hair loss while breastfeeding, at least until your hormones return to normal
You cannot prevent or completely avoid this phenomenon. It may take 6 to 12 months for your hair to get back to the way it was before pregnancy and by then the level of hair loss will have returned to normal.
Step 3. Try using different products
If the loss is large or is causing you problems, you could use hair products designed to increase the volume or use a mousse instead of hairspray to keep it in order.
Step 4. Consider cutting them
The loss will be less obvious on a shorter cut and anyway with all you have to do with the baby you may have less time to take care of the long hair. Having a short, manageable cut could be beneficial.
Step 5. Eat a balanced diet rich in foods that contain unsaturated fat, vitamin B12, and iron
Very often we have deficiencies of these nutrients which play an essential role in hair health. You can find unsaturated fats in foods like nuts, avocados, olive oil, and spinach. Vitamin B12 is found in fish, cheese and eggs. Iron in legumes, such as lentils, and in red meat.
Step 6. Try not to stress yourself from hair loss as stress weakens your immune system and will only make it worse
Concentrate on taking care of yourself and your baby so as not to overthink it.
Advice
- Women who choose not to or cannot breastfeed will also suffer from this problem, due to hormonal changes.
- Don't assume that you will be able to hold your hair up with your hands. Remember that you will need both hands free to take care of your baby.
