Can You Lose Hair During Breastfeeding? Understanding Hormonal Influences and Gentle Care

The Postpartum Hair Cycle

One of the most noticeable hair changes after childbirth is hair loss. During pregnancy, high estrogen levels extend the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, which is why many women enjoy fuller, thicker hair. After delivery, estrogen drops sharply. This decline is the base trigger that pushes many follicles at once into the resting (telogen) phase, leading to the shedding known as postpartum telogen effluvium (TE).¹

Breastfeeding & Hormones: How They Affect Hair

Breastfeeding is not the direct cause of hair loss, but the hormonal environment it sustains—particularly with prolactin and oxytocin—affects how the hair cycle behaves.

Prolactin (milk-production hormone):
Elevated prolactin is necessary for lactation. Research shows human hair follicles are both targets and producers of prolactin. Prolactin promotes apoptosis (cellular death) in follicle structures, driving regression and contributing to the shedding process and ultimately hair thinning.² This may help explain why some women feel their shedding persists throughout breastfeeding months.

Oxytocin (bonding and “let-down” hormone):
Oxytocin surges during breastfeeding. Recent studies show oxytocin can activate dermal papilla cells—the “command centers” of hair follicles—boosting growth signals like VEGFA and supporting sprouting in follicle organoids.⁷ This suggests high hormone levels of oxytocin may counterbalance prolactin’s regressive effects by helping new hair grow.

Together, these hormonal changes create a unique dynamic:

1. Estrogen withdrawal initiates shedding,
2. Prolactin may amplify it, and
3. Oxytocin may support recovery.

Key Postpartum Hormones and Their Effects on Hair

Other Contributing Factors

Other Contributing Factors

• Nutritional Demands: Breastfeeding significantly increases the need for iron, protein, vitamin D, and B12. An iron deficiency can worsen shedding or delay regrowth.² See our guide on best hair products post-pregnancy.

• Overlapping Conditions: Studies show postpartum TE often overlaps with conditions like female androgenetic alopecia or traction alopecia, which may become visible during breastfeeding.³

• Thyroid issues: Postpartum thyroiditis or other thyroid disorders can disrupt the normal cycle of hair growth, contributing to prolonged shedding in some mothers.

Is Hair Loss During Breastfeeding Normal?

Yes. Most new mothers experience hair shedding in the first 3–6 months postpartum, whether breastfeeding or not. Shedding typically peaks around four months and resolves by the baby’s first birthday.³ If shedding continues beyond 12 months or shows patchy/patterned loss, evaluation by a healthcare provider is recommended.

Supporting Hair Health While Breastfeeding

• Gentle Care: Wash with mild formulas, avoid tight styles and heat damage. Scalp massage goes a long way.
• Nutrition First: Meet higher breastfeeding nutrient needs with a balanced diet and supplements if needed.²
• Patience With the Cycle: Remember that this is a normal part of the recovery, and regrowth is expected.¹
• Maternal-Safe Products: La Rosa provides scalp-soothing, botanical-based support—including ingredients like rose water—free of hormone-blocking agents, designed to be safe for use during breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Hair loss during breastfeeding is common and largely driven by hormonal shifts. The drop in estrogen after pregnancy sets the stage, while high prolactin may extend follicle regression and oxytocin may encourage regrowth. Combined with nutritional demands—and possible medical contributors like thyroid conditions—these shifts explain why shedding can feel prolonged but is almost always temporary.

La Rosa stands as a gentle ally for mothers—helping soothe the scalp and support hair comfort during this season of transition.

FAQ: Breastfeeding and Hair Loss

Does breastfeeding cause hair loss?

No. Breastfeeding itself is not one of the causes of hair loss. The main driver is the drop in estrogen after pregnancy, which pushes hair into the resting phase. However, high prolactin during lactation may prolong the shedding phase, while oxytocin released during breastfeeding can actually encourage new hair growth.¹²⁷

When will hair shedding stop while breastfeeding?

Most new moms notice shedding between 3–6 months after delivery, peaking around month four. The cycle usually improves by 6–12 months postpartum, regardless of whether a mother continues breastfeeding.¹³

Is it normal to see a lot of hair in the shower drain?

Yes. Even noticeable hair loss in the shower drain or on a brush can be a normal part of the recovery. It looks dramatic because many hairs shed at once after pregnancy, but in most cases, regrowth begins soon after.¹

What can I do to support my hair while breastfeeding?

• Be gentle: avoid heat styling and tight hairstyles.

• Prioritize a balanced diet rich in protein, iron, and vitamins.²

• Use scalp-soothing, hormone-safe products like La Rosa for comfort.

• Manage stress and allow time for natural recovery.

When should I see a healthcare provider?

If shedding persists beyond 12 months, or if thinning looks patchy or follows a pattern (e.g., widening part, temples), consult a healthcare provider. This helps rule out conditions like thyroid disorders or androgenetic alopecia.³

References

1. Hirose A, Terauchi M, Odai T, Fudono A, Tsurane K, Sekiguchi M, Iwata M, Anzai T, Takahashi K, Miyasaka N. Investigation of exacerbating factors for postpartum hair loss: a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2023;9(2):e084. doi:10.1097/JW9.0000000000000084. PMID: 38323220; PMCID: PMC10846762.

2. Foitzik K, Krause K, Conrad F, Nakamura M, Funk W, Paus R. Human scalp hair follicles are both a target and a source of prolactin, which serves as an autocrine and/or paracrine promoter of apoptosis-driven hair follicle regression. Am J Pathol. 2006;168(3):748-56. doi:10.2353/ajpath.2006.050468. PMID: 16507890; PMCID: PMC1606541.

3. Galal SA, El-Sayed SK, Henidy MMH. Postpartum telogen effluvium unmasking additional latent hair loss disorders. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024;17(5):15-22. PMID: 38779373; PMCID: PMC11107900.

4. Carretero-Krug A, Montero-Bravo A, Morais-Moreno C, Puga AM, Samaniego-Vaesken ML, Partearroyo T, Varela-Moreiras G. Nutritional Status of Breastfeeding Mothers and Impact of Diet and Dietary Supplementation: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2024;16(2):301. doi:10.3390/nu16020301. PMID: 38276540; PMCID: PMC10818638.

5. Grymowicz M, Rudnicka E, Podfigurna A, Napierala P, Smolarczyk R, Smolarczyk K, Meczekalski B. Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(15):5342. doi:10.3390/ijms21155342. PMID: 32731328; PMCID: PMC7432488.

6. Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Understanding Hormonal Hair Loss in Women. HerHairHealth.com. https://herhairhealth.com/hair-today-gone-tomorrow-understanding-hormonal-hair-loss-in-women/

7. Kageyama T, Seo J, Yan L, Fukuda J. Effects of oxytocin on the hair growth ability of dermal papilla cells. Sci Rep.2023;13:15587. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-40521-x. PMID: 37863919; PMCID: PMC10589336.