When Does Postpartum Hair Loss Start (and Stop)?

Postpartum hair loss is one of those side effects of having a baby that no one warns you about until it’s suddenly happening in your shower drain. It can be alarming to see more strands than usual on your brush, pillow, or bathroom floor — especially when you’re already adjusting to new parenthood.

Here’s the good news: postpartum hair loss is completely normal, temporary, and not a sign that something is wrong with you. It happens to the majority of new parents, and your hair will almost always return to its usual growth cycle with time.

Let’s break down exactly when postpartum hair loss tends to start, how long it lasts, and what (if anything) you can do to minimize it.

Why does postpartum hair loss happen?

During pregnancy, high estrogen levels keep more hairs in their active growth phase, which is why many people notice thicker, shinier hair. Once estrogen drops back to pre-pregnancy levels after giving birth, those extra hairs shift into the “shedding” phase of the growth cycle all at once.

This process is called telogen effluvium, a temporary and completely reversible type of hair loss. It’s not technically “true” hair loss, but rather a reset of your normal hair cycle. Studies estimate that between 40–50% of postpartum people experience noticeable shedding, but some sources suggest the number may be even higher.

When does postpartum hair loss start?

Most people begin noticing extra hair shedding around 3 to 6 months postpartum. This timing lines up with the natural hair growth cycle — it takes a couple of months for hairs to shift from the growth phase into the shedding phase.

The shedding can feel sudden, like it’s all happening at once. You may find larger clumps in your shower drain, more hair on your pillow in the morning, and/or thinner-looking hair at the temples or hairline (sometimes called “postpartum bald spots”).

It can feel dramatic, but what you’re seeing is the delayed shedding of the hair you “kept” during pregnancy.

When does postpartum hair loss stop?

For most people, hair starts returning to its usual density by your baby’s first birthday.

That said, everyone’s timeline looks a little different. Some notice shedding stops by 6 months postpartum, while others may still see extra hair fall up to 12 months. If it’s lasting longer than a year or your hair is thinning in very specific patches, that’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider to rule out other conditions (like thyroid issues, anemia, or alopecia).

What does postpartum hair loss look like?

Postpartum shedding doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some common patterns include:

• Receding hairline or baby hairs: Many notice thinning at the temples, followed by a halo of fine regrowth months later.
• General thinning: Hair might look less full overall.
• Shedding clumps: It can feel like you’re losing way more than normal, even though you’re not going bald.

On average, people shed about 50–100 hairs per day. During postpartum shedding, this number can increase to 300 or more hairs per day. That sounds like a lot, but it’s still within the realm of normal for this temporary stage.

Can you stop postpartum hair loss?

Here’s the hard truth: you can’t completely stop postpartum hair loss because it’s driven by hormone shifts. But you can support your overall hair and scalp health while your body resets.

Strategies that may help include:

• Gentle hair care: Use a wide-tooth comb, avoid excessive heat styling, and don’t keep hair pulled tightly in ponytails or buns.
• Balanced nutrition: Make sure you’re getting enough protein, iron, zinc, vitamin D, and biotin — nutrients that support healthy hair growth. A prenatal or postnatal vitamin can help fill gaps.
• Scalp care: Massaging your scalp may boost blood flow and support healthy follicles.
• Stress management: Easier said than done with a newborn, but high stress can sometimes worsen shedding. Short walks, meditation, or even a few deep breaths can help.

If shedding feels extreme or you’re worried about nutritional deficiencies, a healthcare provider may recommend blood tests or supplements.

Does breastfeeding affect postpartum hair loss?

There’s no strong evidence that breastfeeding directly causes or worsens hair loss. Whether you breastfeed or formula feed, the underlying reason for shedding is still the estrogen drop after pregnancy.

However, breastfeeding can sometimes increase nutritional demands on your body, which may indirectly affect your hair if your diet isn’t well-balanced. If you’re nursing, making sure you’re eating enough calories and nutrients is key for both you and your baby.

When to see a doctor about postpartum hair loss

While most postpartum shedding is completely normal, it’s worth checking in with your healthcare provider if you notice:

• Hair loss lasting longer than a year postpartum
• Bald patches or very uneven thinning
• Scalp pain, redness, or itching
• Other symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, or mood shifts (which could point to thyroid imbalance or anemia)

In these cases, treatment might include blood work, topical solutions like minoxidil, or other medical interventions.

How to cope with postpartum hair loss

Hair is deeply tied to identity and confidence, so losing a lot of it can feel unsettling. It’s not “vain” to feel upset about this change — especially during a time when your body and life already feel different.

Some ways to take the edge off:

• Experiment with new hairstyles, scarves, or hats.
• Try volumizing shampoos or lightweight styling products.
• Remind yourself this stage is temporary — regrowth is on its way.

If postpartum hair loss is seriously impacting your self-esteem or mental health, consider opening up to a trusted friend, partner, or therapist.

Once shedding slows down, your hair will gradually fill back in. To support regrowth, you can try:

• Stick with a nutrient-dense diet (leafy greens, lean proteins, healthy fats).
• Keep taking your prenatal or postnatal vitamins if recommended.
• Avoid crash diets, which can trigger more shedding.
• Stay consistent with gentle scalp care.

For most, hair is noticeably fuller by the one-year mark, though texture and thickness may not be exactly the same as before pregnancy.

Postpartum hair loss doesn’t last forever

Postpartum hair loss typically starts around 2–4 months after birth and can last up to 6 months, sometimes longer. It’s caused by natural hormone changes, not anything you did wrong, and nearly always resolves on its own.

While you can’t stop it completely, supporting your body with good nutrition, gentle care, and stress management can make the process easier. If hair loss feels extreme, lasts longer than a year, or comes with other symptoms, talk to your provider.

This phase is temporary — and just like so many other parts of postpartum recovery, your body will adjust. You’ve got this.

---

Tassia O'Callaghan is an experienced women's health content writer and SEO content strategist, having written for brands like Peanut App Ltd, Scary Mommy, Fertility Mapper, Tally Workspace, and Office Christmas. She's an advocate for realistic sustainable living, supporting small businesses (author of A-Z of Marketing for Small Businesses), and equity across all walks of life. Follow her on LinkedIn or TikTok, or see more of her work on Authory or her website.