Post Baby Hair Loss

Updated on November 19, 2009
J.P. asks from Yukon, OK
17 answers

Okay, so I had the usual hair loss after my baby was born. It probably started shedding about 5 or 6 months post baby. The problem is that it hasn't stopped and my daughter is 2 1/2 years old. Could this be the sign of a different issue. I use top of the line hair products and get regular trims and I've even started taking prenatals again hoping that would help thicken it back up. Just this morning I pulled a hand full of hair off of the back of my shirt. If you know of anything that I can try I'd love to hear it. Should I talk to my doctor about it? This is just crazy, I've never had this type of problem before. Thanks in advance for all of your thoughts and suggestions!

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I have decided to check with a doctor and to have some blood work done to check my thyroid. I hadn't really thought about that but every female in my family has hypothyroidism so it makes sense. I will post later to let you know the outcome of the tests. Thanks again for all of your input!

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T.B.

answers from Lafayette on

I would love to know some of the responses you get. I can pull a handful out every time I wash it. My husband finds it everywhere. It is pretty gross, that's how bad it is. I just thought I shed a lot. Please let me know what you find out.

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K.K.

answers from New Orleans on

Are you having any other symptoms or just the hair loss? I would look up "hypothyroidism" on the net and see if you have any of those other symptons. Either way I would go to the doctor.

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R.F.

answers from Fayetteville on

I have a 3 year-old and an 18 month-old, and since the birth of my first child, my hair still sheds so much more than it ever did pre-pregnancy. I wouldn't be too concerned about it unless it thins to the point of you being able to see your scalp. If you are concerned though, it wouldn't hurt to contact your OB/GYN to see if this is normal...maybe it is just taking your body a while to get your horomones back in line, especially if you breastfed for an extended period.

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T.G.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I agree about getting your thyroid checked. Your body is definately stressed during pregnancy (okay, and for the next 18 plus years... *grin*), but your hair shouldn't still be coming out after 2 1/2 years.

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J.H.

answers from Dothan on

Thyroid issues will also make your hair fall out. I also had some friends when they would lose weight would lose their hair. I suggest you talk with your doctor.

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C.G.

answers from Jackson on

The best wife and mother is the one who takes care of herself first, ( you know-like putting on your mask first on the airplane?) Go see your doctor.

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K.S.

answers from Decatur on

I do know what is happening. You were producing 400m mg of progesterone in the last trimester of pregnancy and after baby is born you went to zero. You need a natural progesterone. Arbonne has one called Prolief that you use twice a day and rub on like a lotion. It has no odor and you put on thin skinned areas and rotate each application. Ck out website at www.successfromtheheart.myarbonne.com. You are more than welcome to call me ###-###-####

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L.J.

answers from Birmingham on

I lost a bunch of hair after my daughter was born and was to the point of getting worried about the time the masses quit coming out. I have beneath shoulder hair and my sisters do also. We all talk about our hair loss that happens daily and each day I wipe if off the bathroom sink, the floor and pull loose ones from the bottom after styling. It doesn't seem possible, but I never notice the loss in my "total" head of hair though. Even my sisters say their hair loss each day seems crazy but they don't notice a difference either in the total head of hair. If you feel your head of hair is noticable thinner, I would talk to the dr. and have some lab work done to see if you have need a specific vitamin or mineral (those prenatal vitamins are loaded though with everything). If you are losing hair but don't notice a difference when you style it, I guess it's just normal but we too all feel like it's a little excessive but we still have lots of hair.

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S.T.

answers from Fayetteville on

Hello J., I know when I was pregnant my hair would fall out all the time. Now it hardly does. I know stress will make your hair fall out. Also certain types of shampooo will. I use a shampoo and other products from a heath and wellness company and I love them. But I would definatly check with your doctor if you are losing more hair daily then you think you should. I know you usually lose about 50 strands of hair a day. Change shampoo to a different brand. Just because its a the top of the line doesnt always mean it will be the best for you. If that dont work or you just dont think its your shampoo and theres no stress, check with your doctor. I hope this helps.

S. T.
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H.M.

answers from Florence on

I had the exact problem after my last baby, 8 years ago. I went to a naturopath doctor who diagnosed an over active thyroid. Anyway, she prescribed certain vitamins and herbs(I'm sorry, I can't remember which ones) and told me to stay away from broccoli and cauliflower. I had also been taking a green powder suppliment (it was either barly or algea) and she told me to stop that. Within 3 months, My hair had stopped drastically falling out and I could see new growth. After about 6 months I stopped taking the additional suppliments. In a year, it was noticably fuller. In the mean time, a shorter, layered cut will give it a fuller look.

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B.C.

answers from Alexandria on

I agree with going to the doctor. If he can't find anything medically wrong, my friend uses a shampoo she swears by. (My husband also uses it but would die if people knew he did) It's Nioxon Hair Therapy for thinning hair. You can get it at Wal Mart at their salon. This is the cheapest place to get it. I can't remember the exact wording on the bottle but I know it has a #1 on the bottle, and specifically says "for thinning/thin hair." It costs about $15 for the shampoo/scalp cleaner and another $15 for the scalp stimulating stuff. But my friend said she felt like her hair was a lot thinner than before she got pregnant so she used it. And my husbands hair doesn't seem as thin on top. It took a month or so to notice a difference, but hopefully it'll help if there isn't a medical reason for your hair loss.

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J.L.

answers from Tulsa on

While I was pregnant I always had thicker hair. Then after delivery and breastfeeding it got thinner again. I think it was hormone related. Possibly iron defiecency too, because when I had periods they were always very heavy to the point of anemia. Once I got on iron supplements and BC pills my hair stopped falling out. But, it all depends on your own chemistry. Although- the iron tablets couldnt hurt at all since you still are having periods. Give that a try for a month.

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C.S.

answers from Texarkana on

Yes talk to your doctor. Your thyroid could be out of whack or it could be hormones. Any of these things could cause you to have hair loss.

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F.L.

answers from Little Rock on

J., I had the same problem after having my son. It is stress. One of the best things you can do for yourself is use a paddle brush which is cushioned and has massaging bristles. After brushing out your hair, use the brush by brushing in a relaxing motion for yourself. Take your time. You might want to watch your favorite show or listen to some relaxing music. In addition, no matter if you do this technique or not, visualize your hair multiplying and thick and full. You will know it's working when you get a lot of those "annoying" short hairs coming in.

Best wishes,
F.
www.fontainessalon.com

E.R.

answers from Huntsville on

have your thyroid checked thyroid can cause I lot of problems they will do a blood test to check your levels they may be off will cause your hair to fall out nails to be peel like an onion depression and etc good luck

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B.A.

answers from Huntsville on

See a dr. get hormones checked, iodine checked. And get a b12 shot every month. B12 helps with hair growth and energy. If hormsones or/and iodine is off both cause hair loss. Also make sure you are getting enough protein everyday, people always seem to cut protein out of their diets, when protein is the one thing you need. If not enough protein each day you will have hair loss. I know about hair loss because of gastric by-pass, I was not getting the protein that I needed and did not have enough iodine in my body. I'v been doing b12 shots for about 3months and trying to make sure I get the right amount of protein each day. I loss more than 1/2 of my hair thinkness. I always had enough hair for two or three people,but not any more. My hair is coming back and is coming back curly and I like that. I pray it comes back to what I had before but, if not it will be ok. God Bless B. A.

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C.H.

answers from Monroe on

I am having the exact same problem and my little boy is also 2 1/2! I hope you get some answers!

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