Some mothers may relate to me while others may not, but about 7 months postpartum I started losing my hair (the dreaded postpartum hair loss)! Initially postpartum when I wasn't losing hair I rejoiced thinking that I was one of those lucky ladies, but by 7 months my body told me otherwise. Looking back on it when it started happening I acted like the little chick screaming, "The sky is falling! The sky is falling," but instead of the sky... it was my hair!Those of you who do not know me well may not know that I love my hair. It's curly, but thin so I can easily have straight hair if I want to. Naturally my hair color is a dark blonde/light brown with natural copper-blonde highlights (from the sun). In the past I had dyed my hair every color under the sun, but lately have been digging my natural tones. More than once I have had hairdressers ask me if I could be a hair model for them (what a compliment). Point is, I like my hair, and I take care of it well. So you can only imagine what it was like when it started falling out, not by one strand and one strand... It fell out in clumps! My poor shower drain!
I told my panicked self, "It'll stop, it'll stop! Everything I read said it'll stop." A couple months later, I went in for a hair trim, and was mortified to see my hairdressers hands covered in my hair that easily came out while she was trimming it. I left the salon, with a pretty head of hair, but with defeat. My mind moaned wondering when it would ever stop! That's when boot-camp Katie kicked her way in, and said, "Stop! We're figuring this out!"
What I figured out, and what I'd like to share with you is: RELAX! Stressing won't help the situation. Once you've relaxed look at what you're doing. Are you eating a healthy diet filled with fruits, vegetables, protein, a good natural fat, and plenty of water? Are you taking prenatal or postpartum multivitamins? Are you being gentle on your hair (EX: Not blow drying every day, not shampooing every day, not putting it back in super tight pony tails, etc.)? Those are some questions to start with. If you answer yes to all of them that's fantastic, if not then start on it! If your hair continues to fall out perhaps see a doctor, because your thyroid might be off.
But really I'm here to tell you that even though losing your hair can be frightening, it will stop, and especially stop once you really start taking care of yourself and your hair well. If you're interested in hairstyle tips for hiding thinner hair consider fringes (bangs), switch up where you part your hair (constantly parting on one side may lead to more hair loss on one side, and also each new part will have added volume), and even highlights (makes your hair appear fuller but only if your hair has totally stopped falling out-you want to be gentle on that head of hair of yours)!
One last major tip: Baby proof that hair! My little Zooey LOVES my hair! But with that sometimes she can accidentally pull some out. So I started wearing adorable, eclectic, and earthy yoga hair wraps. It's a great way for hair to be protected and hidden away from those pesky yet adorable little kiddo fingers.
Much love and luck! xoxo,
MiddleCoastMommy
