Can breastfeeding cause hair loss?
Three months after giving birth to her first-born, Innocent Akello, was terrified that she was losing her hair. Her friends pointed to breastfeeding as the cause. Akello was gripped with panic at the thought of becoming bald, affecting her self-esteem.
BY ANTHONY OLWOCH
Three months after giving birth to her first-born, Innocent Akello, was terrified that she was losing her hair. Her friends pointed to breastfeeding as the cause. Akello was gripped with panic at the thought of becoming bald, affecting her self-esteem.
Disturbing as the condition is, Dr. Shaban Mugerwa at the AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, says post-delivery (postpartum) hair loss is normal and there is no need to panic. “The loss is temporary and unrelated to breastfeeding,†he clarifies.
Usually, approximately 85-95% of the hair is growing, while between 5-15% are in a resting stage. After going through the resting phase, often while brushing or shampooing, hair falls off to allow new hair to grow.
Dr. Ben Ayiku, a gynaecologist at Entebbe General Hospital, says postpartum hair loss occurs due to changes in hormonal levels from pregnancy to delivery.
During pregnancy, the increased hormones that support her condition, increases the amount of hair in the growth stage causing expectant mothers to have thicker hair. However, after giving birth, when the hormones that support pregnancy drop causing a lot more hair follicles to enter the resting stage and after that, the hair starts falling off.
Postpartum hair loss being a temporary condition, after approximately six to 12 months, the normal hair growth cycle is restored. “However if hair growth is not back to normal after 12 months, it is advisable to see a doctor. Possibly, it could be an indication of other underlying conditions that may include low levels thyroid hormone or iron-deficiency anemia or other conditions,†Dr. Mugerwa notes.
Ways of coping before your hair returns to normal
Do not brush the hair while it is wet and do not use a comb that pulls the hair.
Take multivitamins
Eat plenty of protein
Drink plenty of fluids
Use a good quality shampoo
Drink lots of fluid and get enough sleep
Avoid stress and anxiety, which can accelerate hair loss
Three months after giving birth to her first-born, Innocent Akello, was terrified that she was losing her hair. Her friends pointed to breastfeeding as the cause. Akello was gripped with panic at the thought of becoming bald, affecting her self-esteem.
Disturbing as the condition is, Dr. Shaban Mugerwa at the AIDS Control Programme, Ministry of Health, says post-delivery (postpartum) hair loss is normal and there is no need to panic. “The loss is temporary and unrelated to breastfeeding,†he clarifies.
Usually, approximately 85-95% of the hair is growing, while between 5-15% are in a resting stage. After going through the resting phase, often while brushing or shampooing, hair falls off to allow new hair to grow.
Dr. Ben Ayiku, a gynaecologist at Entebbe General Hospital, says postpartum hair loss occurs due to changes in hormonal levels from pregnancy to delivery.
During pregnancy, the increased hormones that support her condition, increases the amount of hair in the growth stage causing expectant mothers to have thicker hair. However, after giving birth, when the hormones that support pregnancy drop causing a lot more hair follicles to enter the resting stage and after that, the hair starts falling off.
Postpartum hair loss being a temporary condition, after approximately six to 12 months, the normal hair growth cycle is restored. “However if hair growth is not back to normal after 12 months, it is advisable to see a doctor. Possibly, it could be an indication of other underlying conditions that may include low levels thyroid hormone or iron-deficiency anemia or other conditions,†Dr. Mugerwa notes.
Ways of coping before your hair returns to normal
Do not brush the hair while it is wet and do not use a comb that pulls the hair.
Take multivitamins
Eat plenty of protein
Drink plenty of fluids
Use a good quality shampoo
Drink lots of fluid and get enough sleep
Avoid stress and anxiety, which can accelerate hair loss