Mourning those bouncy, full locks we had during pregnancy? I certainly did and this is a very common experience for new moms. If you are one of the forty percent of women who experience postpartum hair loss, be assured it is normal and there are ways to deal with it. American Academy of Dermatology Association tells us that this excessive hair shedding is caused by falling estrogen levels, which are much higher during pregnancy. Those hairs that didn’t fall out during pregnancy start to fall out when estrogen declines a few months after your baby checks into the world. It usually happens between three to four months after giving birth and should be much improved after one year. Hang in there! While hormones are rebalancing, patience is part and parcel of this kind of hair loss, but there are choices we can make to help things along a bit.

So, what can we do about postpartum hair loss?

Look after your hair

Only shampoo when you really need to and avoid using intensive or heavy conditioners that can weigh down the hair. Also, try not to use too much heat on the hair and just treat your hair as naturally as possible during this tender time.

Regulate your hormones

Getting the right nutrients and doing some gentle exercise can help. Poor nutrition impacts hormone levels, which can prevent new hair growth. Vitamin C can protect hair follicles and iron helps red blood cells supply oxygen to our cells so consider eating foods rich in these. Biotin, a form of vitamin B, also stimulates hair growth so think about talking to a suitably qualified health care professional about a potential supplement. National Library of Medicine reports on the scientific evidence of biotin and other alternative approaches for alopecia.

Meditation

An amazing way to combat stress is mindful meditation. Meditation reduces cortisol levels. Cortisol is our main stress hormone and cuts short the normal hair growth cycle. Try this short three-step meditation practice for busy new moms when you have a moment to spare:

1. Close your eyes and allow welcome rest into your body. Notice the coming and going of your breath. Your breath is your friend when times are tough so allow your breathing to be soft and relaxed. Notice the pause at the end of the out-breath and the end of the in-breath. It’s ok to rest.
2. Observe the sounds you can hear. Allow the background noises to wash over you. Notice sounds close to you and sounds further away. Each sound helps you feel more relaxed. 
3. Say to yourself this wonderful mantra: I am loved, safe, and at peace. I am doing my best with the resources I have and this is always good enough.

Wow, this will do wonders for your self-worth and stress levels. Give yourself thanks for putting yourself first – even for a short while. You deserve this time to simply be AND you deserve to be happy. From one mother to another I wish you much love and joy in your new motherhood journey.

Samantha Redgrave-Hogg