HELP! I’m breastfeeding and my hair is falling out
Aug 06, 2010
TODAY marks the end of the breastfeeding week, which began on August 1. In this week, women are taught why, when and how to breastfeed. One of the issues that breastfeeding mothers tend to be concerned about is hair loss.
TODAY marks the end of the breastfeeding week, which began on August 1. In this week, women are taught why, when and how to breastfeed. One of the issues that breastfeeding mothers tend to be concerned about is hair loss.
HALIMA SHABAN finds out what causes it and how to rectify the loss “ARE you breastfeeding?†That was the question that welcomed Lydia, a first-time mother, when she went to a salon.
Seeing the puzzled look Lydia had, the hairdresser explained that her hair was thin and was falling out.
Lydia is not alone. Many women tend to suffer hair loss after giving birth.
Dr. Emmanuel Tibayungwa, a dermatologist, says after delivery, changes occur in a woman’s hormones. One such change is that the hair follicles go into the resting phase, resulting into tremendous hair loss. He explains this happens because the body is storing up resources (hair, calcium and fat) to give to the baby during breastfeeding.
Dr. Godfrey Alia, a gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital, adds that says hair loss in new mothers is mainly caused by the hormonal changes during pregnancy.
“When a woman is pregnant, increased oestrogen is released into her system causing her hair to grow thick. However, when she gives birth, the oestrogen reduces, slowing the growth of new hair,†he says.
But Alia adds that the hair lost is just the extra amount that was gained during pregnancy.
Post-partum hair loss has to do with the fact that while pregnant, a woman does not shed off the hair she would have during a normal ‘hair cycle’, Alia explains.
He adds that after delivery, a lot of hair enters the resting phase, which is followed by hair shedding.
Alia says hair loss usually starts at three months after birth. The time between childbirth and the shedding off corresponds to the resting phase, which is between one to six months.
Most women will return to their usual hair growth cycle within six to 12 months after birth.
“Normally, about 85%-95% of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5–15% is in a resting phase. After the resting period, this hair falls out often while you’re brushing or shampooing it and is replaced by new growth.
Postpartum hair loss is believed to occur in around 10% of women and more common in women with longer hair. However, it may also be that the hair loss is more noticeable in women with longer hair.
Alia says there isn’t much a woman can do to slow or stop hair loss. Stopping to breastfeed will not change the amount of hair lost, or how fast it re-grows. Hair loss gradually stops, and thickness returns to normal.
Alia says: “During antenatal visits, mothers are encouraged to eat foods rich in iron and folic acid because these minerals are vital in the manufacture of red blood cells, but not because they want to prevent their hair from falling off.â€
Phillip Besigye, a nutritionist, says hair loss can also be caused by the depletion of nutritional reserves when one is breastfeeding. Hair follicles are deprived of necessary nutrition leading to their death.
“Iron deficiency causes anaemia and anaemia is a known cause of hair loss,†Besigye stresses.
HALIMA SHABAN finds out what causes it and how to rectify the loss “ARE you breastfeeding?†That was the question that welcomed Lydia, a first-time mother, when she went to a salon.
Seeing the puzzled look Lydia had, the hairdresser explained that her hair was thin and was falling out.
Lydia is not alone. Many women tend to suffer hair loss after giving birth.
Dr. Emmanuel Tibayungwa, a dermatologist, says after delivery, changes occur in a woman’s hormones. One such change is that the hair follicles go into the resting phase, resulting into tremendous hair loss. He explains this happens because the body is storing up resources (hair, calcium and fat) to give to the baby during breastfeeding.
Dr. Godfrey Alia, a gynaecologist at Mulago Hospital, adds that says hair loss in new mothers is mainly caused by the hormonal changes during pregnancy.
“When a woman is pregnant, increased oestrogen is released into her system causing her hair to grow thick. However, when she gives birth, the oestrogen reduces, slowing the growth of new hair,†he says.
But Alia adds that the hair lost is just the extra amount that was gained during pregnancy.
Post-partum hair loss has to do with the fact that while pregnant, a woman does not shed off the hair she would have during a normal ‘hair cycle’, Alia explains.
He adds that after delivery, a lot of hair enters the resting phase, which is followed by hair shedding.
Alia says hair loss usually starts at three months after birth. The time between childbirth and the shedding off corresponds to the resting phase, which is between one to six months.
Most women will return to their usual hair growth cycle within six to 12 months after birth.
“Normally, about 85%-95% of the hair on your head is growing and the other 5–15% is in a resting phase. After the resting period, this hair falls out often while you’re brushing or shampooing it and is replaced by new growth.
Postpartum hair loss is believed to occur in around 10% of women and more common in women with longer hair. However, it may also be that the hair loss is more noticeable in women with longer hair.
Alia says there isn’t much a woman can do to slow or stop hair loss. Stopping to breastfeed will not change the amount of hair lost, or how fast it re-grows. Hair loss gradually stops, and thickness returns to normal.
Alia says: “During antenatal visits, mothers are encouraged to eat foods rich in iron and folic acid because these minerals are vital in the manufacture of red blood cells, but not because they want to prevent their hair from falling off.â€
Phillip Besigye, a nutritionist, says hair loss can also be caused by the depletion of nutritional reserves when one is breastfeeding. Hair follicles are deprived of necessary nutrition leading to their death.
“Iron deficiency causes anaemia and anaemia is a known cause of hair loss,†Besigye stresses.