Advice on Hair Loss

Updated on July 20, 2009
E.B. asks from Oakdale, CA
22 answers

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant and am using the hormones to grow out my hair for Locks of Love. I know after birth the hormones shift and hair loss can start to happen. What I am wondering is when did you notice the change? I would like to cut my hair before that time. Thanks and I know it is different for everyone but I am thinking ahead a bit.

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J.I.

answers from San Francisco on

When my baby was 3 mos (and breastfeeding), my hair started falling out. I would cut it as soon as you can after you have to baby just to be safe. It's such a wonderful thing to do. Congratulations!

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K.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Ask you doctor about folic acid. Many pregnant and postpartum lose hair because of a lack of folic acid.

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T.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi E. -
Currently losing all my hair. I started losing it 5-6 months PP. Maybe you could donate your hair to me? LOL

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G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

Mine started about 6 months post-partum.

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D.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Greetings E.: Congradulations on your baby!
I have to say that with 8 pregnancies I never had my hair once get thin & I would have appreciated it because it is medium to thick!
Because of cancer in our family I have a special place in my heart for Locks of Love. So let me Thank You, for doing this special gift(growing out the hair & cutting it)for I know it makes a differance. God Bless You, Nana G

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C.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Mine was around 3-4 months. I suspect the timing has to do with how often you breastfeed. My kids were sleeping through the night at 3 months and thus the demand for milk (during the night) decreased. I think the shift for moms who breastfeed on demand will occur later, but that's just my guess.
C.

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L.C.

answers from San Francisco on

My hair loss started around 5 months after giving birth.

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M.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Mine was right around the 3 month mark as well.

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L.G.

answers from San Francisco on

You will start losing significant amount of hair right about when your baby is 3 months old. Good iead about the donation. I did the same!

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K.L.

answers from Sacramento on

mine started to fall out around 3-4 months pp. good luck on growing out your hair. I'm in the process of doing that and it's taking longer than if I had done this while pregnant.

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P.W.

answers from San Francisco on

If you have the kind of hair that can be grown for Locks of Love -- i.e. thick, luxurious hair that doesn't fall out -- well those kind of lucky people usually don't suffer extreme postpartum hair loss. Just in case you do, you should cut it before your baby's two months old.

In contrast with the mom below -- nursing did not stop my hair loss. The growth changed at about 2 months and the fallout began soon thereafter.

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C.F.

answers from Modesto on

Hi,
Taking biotin and also zinc supplements help. Ask at the health food store.

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H.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi E. -

I did the same thing, but I donated my ponytail to Pantene Beautiful Lengths because they took a shorter length (eight inches vs. ten) and my husband didn't want me to go too short.

I had always heard that the hair loss occurred at three months, but I suspect that if you are breast feeding that you get a little more time - my hair didn't start to go until about six months post partum. Now that my baby is seven months old I'm shedding quite a lot. So if you're BFing then you've got a bit more time to let it grow!

Good luck!

H.

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J.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I noticed hair loss 3 months after giving birth.

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E.W.

answers from San Francisco on

What a great idea! My hair started to thin 3 months after giving birth. Best of luck to you!

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N.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi E.,

I am a hairstylist and wellness coach. You have to treat the body inside and out. The challenges start from internal. Your baby has needs and you have to provide enough to give your body back what you need.

If you want to learn more let me know and I can show you how to get on the right path naturally.

It is better to be proactive.

Have a great weekend.

N. Marie

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M.K.

answers from Chico on

It was about 6-10 weeks after my daughter was born for me.

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W.M.

answers from Sacramento on

E.,
It was about 4 weeks after birth.

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V.K.

answers from Sacramento on

Mine started to thin out at 6 months after birth.

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N.D.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi E.,
Please check out the locks of love requirements on their website - your hair must be basically "virgin" - meaning that you can have no coloring (not even grown out coloring) - it must just be long and pure. I was going to do the same thing but because I had old highlight color in the tips, they wouldn't accept it. I was very surprised to learn that. Good luck and this idea is very sweet - to answer your question - I think your hair will thin out again by the time your baby is about four months.
Best of luck,
N.

G.L.

answers from Fresno on

hair loss didn't happen for me with my first son. with my second who is now 9mo it did about 8-12 weeks after & seemed like it was never going to stop! once it did then i got the lovely fuzzy, baby hairs right at the front of my hairline around my forehead! lovely - still kind of dealing with those.

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E.M.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi E.-
I only have what I have been told from my sisters, but the whole shift thing I did not see until after they stopped breastfeeding/pumping breastmilk. Once they no longer were feeding the babies from their bodies, their hormones shifted back to pre-pregnancy.
Your body and hair should be in a fantastic way right now, growing, glowing, lots of healthy shine. Once you have the baby (CONGRATS, by the way), start taking vitamins like folic acid and a multi for women. That should help ease the change in your body and does not hurt the baby in any way.
I hope this helps!
-E. M.

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