There are a lot of things people tell you about after having a baby.
The tiredness. The hormones. The emotions that come in waves you didn’t see coming.
What no one really prepares you for?
How different your hair can suddenly feel.
One day, you’re brushing it and noticing more strands than usual.
Another day, it feels thinner, flatter, drier, or just… not like you anymore.
And somehow, no one mentioned this part.
So let’s talk about it.
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Firstly, this is incredibly common.
If your hair has changed after having a baby, you haven’t done anything wrong.
Postpartum hair changes affect so many women, but they’re rarely talked about properly. Most people hear the phrase “postpartum hair loss” and think that’s the whole story.
It’s not.
Hair can change in texture, density, oiliness, strength, growth speed – or all of the above. And it can happen weeks or even months after birth, just when you think your body is settling again.
What’s actually happening?
During pregnancy, oestrogen levels are high.
This hormone keeps hair in its growth phase for longer, which is why many people notice thicker, fuller hair while pregnant.
After birth, oestrogen drops.
Quickly.
When that happens, hair that was “held in place” during pregnancy begins to shed. This is known as postpartum shedding, and it usually starts around 3 - 4 months after birth.
It can feel sudden and intense, especially when it comes out in the shower or brush, but it’s your body returning to its natural rhythm.
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How hair can change after having a baby
Everyone’s experience is different, but common changes include:
• Increased shedding or visible hair loss
• Thinner feeling hair, especially around the hairline or temples
• More oily roots or, oddly, much drier hair
• Hair that feels weaker or snaps more easily
• Baby hairs growing in all directions (hello halo)
• Curls appearing… or disappearing
Sometimes it’s not dramatic hair loss, just a quiet sense that your hair doesn’t behave the way it used to.
That alone can feel unsettling.
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Why it can feel so emotional
Hair is deeply tied to identity.
And after having a baby, so much of your body already feels unfamiliar.
So when your hair changes too, it can feel like:
• Another thing you’ve “lost”
• A reminder that your body has changed
• Something you don’t have the energy to deal with
And because postpartum hair loss is often brushed off as “normal”, it can feel like you’re expected to just accept it quietly.
But normal doesn’t mean easy.
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What actually helps (without pressure)
There’s no quick fix and anyone promising one isn’t being honest.
But there are things that support your hair and scalp through this phase.
Be gentle with your scalp
Your scalp has been through hormonal whiplash.
Avoid harsh, stripping products and aggressive scrubbing.
A calm, supported scalp creates the best environment for regrowth.
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Don’t panic wash
Washing more often because your hair feels thinner or greasier can sometimes make things worse.
Clean hair is important but over cleansing can stress the scalp further. Balance is key.
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Look after regrowth, not just loss
Those short, fluffy baby hairs are a sign things are working, even if they’re frustrating.
Treat regrowth with care:
• Minimal heat
• Gentle brushing
• Lightweight hydration
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Give yourself time (I know, easier said than done)
For most people, postpartum shedding settles within 6–12 months.
That doesn’t mean you have to “just wait it out”, but it does mean your body deserves patience, not blame.
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At Hair Loving, we believe hair care after pregnancy should feel supportive, not punishing.
That’s why we created a hair oil designed for women who are experiencing these changes, that’s natural, easy to use and suitable for all hair types.
If your hair feels different right now, you’re not alone, you’re just in a season that no one talks about enough 🤍
