Postpartum hair loss is a common condition, usually appearing 2-4 months after birth and gradually decreasing in a few months. The main cause comes from hormonal changes, not from breastfeeding. Adequate nutrition and reasonable rest help the body have conditions to recover and support hair growth again.
During pregnancy, increased estrogen and progesterone help hair follicles stay longer in the growth phase, making hair often thicker. After birth, these hormones decrease sharply, many hair follicles simultaneously switch to a resting phase and then fall out a few months later.
Hair usually falls out most clearly in the 3-4th month after birth and gradually returns to normal thickness when the child is about one year old. Breastfeeding is not the cause of hair loss.
Breastfeeding mothers need to add about 500 kcal per day compared to before pregnancy. Therefore, skipping meals or excessive dieting can cause the body to lack energy and nutrients necessary for the recovery process.
Mothers should supplement protein from eggs, meat, fish, milk, soybeans and beans. Iron is also very important, especially for people who lose a lot of blood at birth. Red meat, seafood, eggs combined with vitamin C-rich foods such as oranges, guavas, grapefruits help increase iron absorption. Zinc from oysters, meat, eggs and nuts is also necessary for hair follicles.
Biotin, collagen or synthetic vitamins cannot reverse postpartum hormone changes. Excessive supplementation of certain substances such as vitamin A, vitamin E, selenium can even cause hair loss. Mothers should only supplement micronutrients when prescribed by a doctor.
Physiological hair loss usually decreases in 6-12 months. If hair falls in patches, the scalp is red, painful, itchy, flaky or falls a lot for a long time after a year, mothers should see a doctor.
