I’ve reached that stage once again. Littlest is 3 months old and, just as with my last 2 babies, I am starting to lose my hair. Those long luscious locks that grew thick and beautiful during pregnancy, thanks to all those hormones, have now begun to jump ship. Estrogen levels are tanking and it’s a shedding nightmare all over my home. Postpartum hair loss is a very real thing for me, through all three of my children.

what can I do to prevent postpartum hair loss?

My husband is picking my hair out of his food, my pillow is coated in strands, my clothes are clung-to. It’s time to fix this! But what can I do to help my hair through this troubling hormonal time?

1. Eat Better

Protein can keep hair thick and shiny. Adding more of it to your diet via fish, lean meat, nuts, and eggs can help your hair along. Omega 3 fatty acids, found in walnuts and avocados, are also on my list of foods to add.

I’m also looking at some delicious Spinach recipes, because this along with other leafy green veggies will give me plenty of vitamin C and calcium. My favorite is to add a handful of fresh spinach leaves to all my salads.

2. Bring Back the Prenatal Vitamins

The more vitamins and minerals the better, so I’m bringing back my prenatal vitamins. Truthfully, I never should have stopped taking them. Breastfeeding requires an extra demand on my body, and prenatal vitamins are great for that. But with the hectic day of toddler and newborn, I completely forgot about them.  Time to dig that bottle back out of the medicine cabinet!

3. Use Natural Shampoo and No heat

Swap your shampoo for a Sulphate Free option and try to limit any harsh chemicals in general.  Choose one with natural oils and natural cleansers. One of my personal favourites is Live Clean Green Earth daily care Shampoo (not an affiliate link).  For conditioner, try ones with coconut oil or aloe. You can even leave some straight coconut oil on your hair for a few minutes before rinsing out. A wash with apple Cider Vinegar can make your hair soft and shiny as well.

Excessive heat will just make things worse. Let your hair air-dry, and avoid straighteners and curling irons (which pull and tug your hair in addition to heat damage). If curls are super important to you, try this No Heat options.

4. Get a Haircut

Shorter hair is easier to comb, and pulls less. Plus removing the dead ends is always a good step to thicker, healthier hair. You might also find as a new mom you’re way too busy for your previously long hair styles. My hair is currently reaching my lower back and I have scheduled an appointment to get it chopped.  A bonus to shorter hair? It makes for easier Babywearing! Little hands can’t reach and pull it as easily.

What is your experience?

Hopefully these 4 things will help get my messy postpartum hair-loss under control. But the reality is, my hair will probably keep falling out until my hormones finish rebalancing. Then when we wean from the breast down the road, I won’t be surprised if it starts all over again.

Do you suffer from postpartum hair loss? What works for you? Please drop a comment below and be sure to share this post on Pinterest and Social Media to help other moms with #postpartumhairloss