Postpartum Hair Loss

Postpartum Hair Loss: When It Starts, How Long It Lasts & What Actually Helps

Postpartum Hair Loss: When It Starts, How Long It Lasts & What Actually Helps

By Winnifred Mathis, Founder of Toks Natural | Last updated: July 2026 

I Thought I Was Going Bald

I'll never forget standing in my bathroom a few months after having my second son.

Every time I brushed my hair, another handful came out. Wash day became something I dreaded. The bathroom floor was covered in strands. My pillow had hair on it. Even running my fingers through my hair was enough to pull more out.

I kept asking myself the same question: when is this going to stop?

Looking back, there was one mistake that made everything worse. It wasn't the postpartum shedding — that part was happening because of my hormones. The mistake was that I completely gave up on looking after the hair that was still on my head.

I wasn't deep conditioning. I wasn't moisturizing consistently. I wasn't paying attention to my ends. I wasn't protecting my hair while my body was already putting it under stress.

My scalp was going through postpartum shedding. My hair was going through neglect. Those were two completely different problems.

Today, I understand something I wish someone had explained to me back then: you can't always stop postpartum shedding, but you can absolutely care for the hair that's still growing on your head. That lesson eventually became one of the reasons I created Toks Natural.

If you're currently going through postpartum hair loss, this guide is for you.

In This Guide

What Is Postpartum Hair Loss?

Postpartum hair loss, sometimes called postpartum shedding, is a temporary increase in hair shedding that many women experience after giving birth.

Despite the name, you're not actually losing new hair. You're shedding hair that stayed on your head longer than usual during pregnancy.

To understand why, it helps to know a little about the hair growth cycle. Every strand of hair goes through three main stages: growing, resting, and shedding. Normally, different hairs are in different stages at different times, which is why you naturally lose around 50 to 100 hairs a day without noticing.

Pregnancy changes that. Higher oestrogen levels keep many hairs in the growing phase for longer, instead of shedding as they normally would. That's why so many women notice their hair feeling thicker during pregnancy.

Then, after childbirth, hormone levels begin returning to normal. The hairs that stayed in the growing phase now enter the shedding phase together. Instead of losing a few hairs each day, it can feel like you're losing hundreds. It can be frightening, but for many women, it's a completely normal part of recovery after pregnancy.

When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Usually Start?

Most women don't notice postpartum shedding immediately after giving birth. It usually begins around two to four months postpartum. Some notice it a little earlier, others don't notice it until closer to five months. The timing varies because every woman's hormones recover at their own pace.

Many mothers tell me the same thing. One day everything seems normal. Then suddenly the shower drain is full of hair. Your ponytail feels thinner. Your edges don't look as full. Your part seems wider. It can feel as though it happened overnight — in reality, the hormonal changes have been happening gradually since childbirth.

How Long Does Postpartum Hair Loss Last?

This is probably the question every new mum asks, and the honest answer is: it depends.

For many women, postpartum shedding gradually improves over several months as hormone levels stabilise. Some notice improvement by six months. Others continue shedding for longer, especially if they're breastfeeding, experiencing significant stress, not sleeping well, or dealing with nutritional deficiencies.

Hair grows slowly. Even after shedding begins to settle, it takes time for new hairs to grow long enough for you to notice the difference. That's why patience matters so much here. Hair rarely changes dramatically in a few weeks. It changes little by little.

Is Postpartum Hair Loss Normal?

Yes. For many women, postpartum shedding is completely normal. It doesn't mean you've damaged your hair. It doesn't mean you've used the wrong shampoo. It doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. Your body has just gone through one of the biggest hormonal changes it will ever experience.

That doesn't make losing handfuls of hair any less upsetting. But understanding what's happening often makes it much less frightening.

The Biggest Mistake I Made

Looking back now, I realise I was fighting the wrong battle. I became obsessed with the hair that was falling out. I stopped paying attention to the hair that was staying.

Every time I saw another handful of hair in my brush, I felt defeated. Eventually, I almost gave up caring for my hair altogether. I wasn't washing consistently. I wasn't deep conditioning. I wasn't moisturising. I certainly wasn't thinking about protecting my ends.

The shedding was happening because of hormones. But the dryness, the breakage, the rough handling — those things were happening because I'd stopped caring for my hair.

If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice, it would be this: don't neglect the hair that's still on your head. You may not be able to stop your hormones doing what they need to do. But you can absolutely give your remaining hair the best possible care while your body recovers. That one mindset shift changed everything for me.

Hormonal Shedding and Hair Breakage Are Not the Same Thing

This is something I wish more women understood. During postpartum recovery, you can actually be dealing with two completely separate problems at the same time.

Problem one: your hormones are causing increased shedding. This happens at the scalp — the hair naturally reaches the shedding phase and falls out.

Problem two: your remaining hair becomes dry, fragile, and breaks because it isn't being cared for properly. This happens along the hair strand.

They're completely different problems. One is happening inside your body. The other is happening because of how your hair is being treated. That's why postpartum hair care shouldn't only focus on reducing shedding — it should also focus on protecting every strand that's still growing on your head, because every strand you keep is one less strand you'll have to grow back later.

What Actually Helps During Postpartum Hair Loss?

This is the part most women are looking for. You're seeing more hair than usual come out. You know your hormones are involved. So what can you actually do?

The first thing is understanding this: you can't force your body to skip the postpartum shedding phase. Your hair is following a natural cycle. However, you can support your scalp while your body recovers, and you can protect the hair that's still growing so you don't lose even more length through unnecessary breakage.

Think of it this way: your hormones are one battle, your hair routine is another. You may not win the hormonal battle overnight, but you can absolutely win the hair care battle.

Build a Scalp-First Routine

During postpartum recovery, your scalp deserves just as much attention as your hair. Keeping your scalp clean and healthy creates a better environment for the new hairs that will eventually grow in. That doesn't mean washing your hair every day — it simply means avoiding weeks of product build-up, sweat, and dead skin sitting on your scalp.

After cleansing, this is where a lightweight scalp serum can become part of your routine. Unlike heavier oils, a water-based scalp serum absorbs quickly and is designed to be applied directly to the scalp. It's not about rushing your body's natural hair cycle — it's about supporting your scalp while your body does what it needs to do.

Don't Forget the Hair That's Still Growing

This is where I made my biggest mistake. I focused so much on the hair falling out that I completely ignored the hair that stayed. My hair became dry. My ends became brittle. Breakage increased. The shedding wasn't the only thing making my ponytail feel smaller anymore — breakage had joined the party.

That's why moisture becomes so important during postpartum recovery. Not because moisture stops hormonal shedding, but because moisture helps protect the hair you've still got.

Deep Conditioning Matters More Than You Think

If your hair feels dry, rough, or harder to manage after pregnancy, don't ignore it. Deep conditioning helps replenish moisture and improve softness, making the hair less likely to snap during detangling and styling.

One of the biggest mistakes I made was convincing myself there was no point caring for my hair because it was falling out anyway. There absolutely was. Every healthy strand I kept was one less strand I had to grow back later.

Our Herbal Moisture Deep Conditioner was created to give dry hair the extra hydration it needs after cleansing. Used consistently, it helps improve softness, manageability, and moisture retention — three things that become especially important when your hair is already under stress.

Moisturise Between Wash Days

Wash day isn't the only day your hair needs attention. Hair loses moisture throughout the week. A good leave-in conditioner helps replenish that moisture and keeps your hair feeling softer between wash days.

Our Moisture Boost Leave-In Conditioner was designed for exactly that purpose — light enough to use regularly, moisturizing enough to help reduce dryness without leaving the hair feeling heavy. If your hair is dry, don't wait until your next wash day to care for it.

Seal That Moisture In

Here's something many people misunderstand: water moisturizes, oil doesn't. Oil helps reduce moisture loss. Once you've hydrated your hair with your leave-in conditioner, using a sealing product can help slow down how quickly that moisture escapes.

Depending on your hair and personal preference, this could be Growth Revive Herbal Hair Oil, Chebe Hair Butter, or Chebe Hair Grease. Each serves a slightly different purpose, but all help reduce moisture loss and protect the hair strand. If your postpartum hair feels especially dry or you're struggling with breakage, sealing your moisture may make a noticeable difference to how your hair feels over time.

Keep Hairstyles Gentle

When you're caring for a newborn, convenience matters, and it's understandable to throw your hair into the quickest style possible. But try to avoid styles that pull tightly around your edges. Postpartum shedding often affects the hairline, and adding constant tension on top of that only places more stress on already vulnerable hair.

Loose protective styles are usually a better choice than styles that feel tight or painful. Your hair shouldn't hurt.

Be Patient With New Growth

One of the hardest parts of postpartum hair loss is waiting. The shedding eventually slows down, and then comes another stage — tiny new hairs begin appearing around the hairline. These little hairs are often called "baby hairs," although they're actually new regrowth.

At first they seem impossible to style. They stick up everywhere. It can feel frustrating. But they're usually a positive sign that your hair is moving through its normal growth cycle again. Try not to compare your progress to someone else's. Every woman's recovery looks slightly different.

Building a Complete Postpartum Hair Routine

Bringing all of this together, a simple postpartum routine looks like:

  1. Cleanse your scalp regularly, without overdoing it
  2. Apply a lightweight scalp serum to support the scalp environment
  3. Deep condition weekly to replenish moisture
  4. Use a leave-in conditioner between wash days
  5. Seal with an oil or butter to lock moisture in
  6. Choose loose, gentle protective styles over tight ones
  7. Be patient — this is a months-long process, not a weeks-long one

If you want the full breakdown of how a scalp serum and hair oil work together specifically, our comparison guide covers it in more depth.

When Should You Speak to Your Doctor?

Although postpartum shedding is common, not every type of hair loss after pregnancy should automatically be assumed to be hormonal. It's worth speaking to your GP if:

  • Your shedding continues well beyond what you'd expect, without improving
  • You're developing bald patches rather than general thinning
  • Your scalp is painful, inflamed, or itchy
  • You're experiencing other symptoms such as extreme tiredness or unexpected weight changes
  • You're worried about iron deficiency, thyroid problems, or another underlying health condition

It's always better to ask than to spend months guessing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does breastfeeding cause hair loss? Breastfeeding itself isn't usually the direct cause of postpartum hair shedding. The hormonal changes that happen after pregnancy are generally considered the main reason many women notice increased shedding.

Can I use a scalp serum while breastfeeding? If you're breastfeeding and unsure about any cosmetic product, speak with your healthcare professional first. Always check the ingredient list and follow the product directions.

Will my edges grow back? Many women notice thinning around their hairline after pregnancy. As postpartum shedding settles and new hairs begin their normal growth cycle, regrowth often becomes visible over time. If you're also wearing tight hairstyles, reducing tension around your edges matters too — our guide to thinning edges goes deeper into this.

Should I cut my hair? Not necessarily. A haircut won't stop postpartum shedding. However, trimming damaged ends can improve the appearance of your hair and reduce breakage while you're waiting for new growth.

Can I color my hair after pregnancy? Many women color their hair after pregnancy, but if you're unsure — particularly while breastfeeding — it's best to discuss any concerns with your healthcare professional.

Will postpartum hair loss happen after every pregnancy? Not always. Some women experience significant shedding after one pregnancy and very little after another. Every pregnancy is different.

Is postpartum hair loss permanent? For many women, postpartum shedding is temporary. However, if shedding continues for a prolonged period or you're concerned about how much hair you're losing, seek medical advice rather than assuming it's still postpartum shedding.

What's the biggest mistake to avoid? Neglecting the hair that's still growing. That was my mistake. I became so focused on the hair I was losing that I forgot to protect the hair I still had. I wish someone had told me that both things matter.

The Bottom Line

Postpartum hair loss can feel overwhelming. I know that because I've been there. Watching handfuls of hair come out is emotional, especially when you've just had a baby and you're already adjusting to so many changes.

But here's what I wish someone had told me years ago: you can't always control postpartum shedding, but you can control how well you care for the hair that's still on your head.

Keep your scalp clean. Support it with a consistent routine. Deep condition your hair. Moisturize regularly. Seal that moisture in. Be gentle with your ends. Give your body time. Because when the shedding begins to settle, you'll want the healthiest possible hair waiting for the next stage of growth.

About the Author

Winnifred Mathis is a State Registered Nurse and the founder of Toks Natural.

She went through postpartum hair shedding after both of her sons, and it got much worse after her second. She was later diagnosed with PCOS. When the prescription treatments she was given didn't work, she started looking for alternatives. Because she was breastfeeding at the time, she wanted something natural — not something that would enter her bloodstream and pass to her baby. That search led her to research herbs and scalp care, and eventually to formulating what became Toks Natural.

She still formulates every product herself, and shares what she's learned with the thousands of women going through the same thing she did.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes only and shouldn't be taken as medical advice. If you're experiencing sudden, severe, or persistent hair loss, or you have concerns about an underlying medical condition, please speak with your GP or dermatologist for an assessment.

Explore Growth Revive Herbal Hair Oil →

Continue Reading

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.