Postpartum hair loss: why it happens and when it stops

Hair & scalp ·Published 10 October 2026 ·Reviewed 10 October 2026

Written by the Priceline Pharmacy Pacific Fair team. Reviewed by Jason Markey, BPharmSci, MPharm, Owner and Pharmacist.

General health information from a registered pharmacist. It doesn’t replace advice from your own pharmacist or doctor.

Postpartum hair loss is common and usually temporary. It’s a type of shedding called telogen effluvium, and childbirth is one of its known triggers. The extra hair fall tends to turn up a few months after your baby arrives rather than straight away: Jean Hailes for Women’s Health says shedding can start about two to three months after giving birth, and DermNet says this kind of shedding gradually tapers back to normal over 6–9 months in most cases.

So if you’re finding more hair than usual in the shower or your brush while your baby is a few months old, this may well be why. Below we explain what’s going on, what’s normal, what’s worth checking with a GP and how to be gentle on your hair while it settles. Our pharmacists at Pacific Fair are always happy to talk it through.

Why does hair fall out after having a baby?

Hair grows in cycles, and losing some every day is part of that. healthdirect says it’s normal to lose around 100 hairs a day.

Telogen effluvium is different. healthdirect describes it as what happens when “a shock to your body stops your hair growing temporarily”. Childbirth is on its list of physical triggers, along with a prolonged high fever, surgery and sudden weight loss. For a few months afterwards, more of your old hairs fall out than usual.

Because the shedding comes a while after the trigger, it can seem to come out of nowhere. healthdirect notes that you may only notice the hair loss a few months after the trigger itself.

When does postpartum hair loss start and stop?

Every woman’s timeline is a little different, but this is what the sources describe:

Treatment isn’t always needed. A dermatologist quoted by Jean Hailes says treating this type of hair loss “is not always necessary” because “the hair will eventually regrow”.

DermNet adds one caveat: postpartum hair loss can resolve after a few months, or it can transition into female pattern hair loss, which is a different type of hair loss. That’s one reason to see your GP if things haven’t settled.

Is my hair loss normal, or should I get it checked?

Typical postpartum shedding:

• starts a few months after your baby is born
• means more of your hair falls out than usual for a while
• slowly eases over the following months

It’s worth talking to a GP if:

• your hair is falling out in clumps, or you think you’re losing a lot more than usual (healthdirect says to talk to your doctor if either happens)
• shedding hasn’t eased, or there’s no sign of regrowth, after about six months
• you also feel tired, weak or listless, or look pale, which healthdirect lists among the symptoms of iron deficiency
• something just doesn’t feel right. Jean Hailes’ advice if you feel you’re losing a lot more hair than usual is to “trust your gut and speak to your GP”

What about iron and thyroid?

healthdirect lists nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or zinc deficiency, among the physical triggers for this kind of shedding, and health conditions such as hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) among the causes of hair loss. DermNet’s advice is to correct any abnormality in thyroid function, or in levels of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Iron is worth a closer look after a baby. healthdirect lists people who are breastfeeding among those who need more iron, and says “the only reliable way of telling if you are iron deficient is through an iron study blood test”.

Your GP may refer you for blood tests to rule out health conditions that can lead to hair loss. If you need one, the Help Medical GPs inside our store have a QML Pathology collection room on site.

Do supplements help postpartum hair loss?

Hair, skin and nail supplements are popular, so it’s worth knowing what the evidence says.

Biotin. A 2017 review of biotin for hair loss, published in the journal Skin Appendage Disorders, found “limited research to support the utility of biotin in healthy individuals”. In the reported cases where biotin helped, people had an underlying condition affecting their hair or nails, such as a biotin deficiency. In short, there isn’t good evidence that it helps if you’re not deficient.

Iron. Only take iron if a blood test shows you need it. healthdirect says “you should only take iron supplements under medical supervision”, warns that taking more than the recommended dose can cause iron poisoning, and notes that iron supplements can cause constipation.

A balanced diet. DermNet recommends a nutritious diet with plenty of protein, fruit and vegetables.

Jean Hailes also suggests being wary of products advertised as quick or “magic” fixes for hair loss.

Breastfeeding? Check before you take anything

healthdirect advises always checking with your doctor or pharmacist that your medicines are safe to use while breastfeeding, and that includes over-the-counter medicines. It also notes that complementary medicines, including vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal preparations, may have risks for your baby. So before you start a hair supplement, a hair-loss treatment or anything else, ask one of our pharmacists. You don’t need an appointment.

How can I look after my hair while it grows back?

healthdirect lists a few everyday things that can cause hair loss in their own right, so it makes sense to go easy on them while you’re shedding:

• Tight hairstyles. Hair kept under tension in a tight hairstyle can lead to traction alopecia. In a humid Gold Coast summer it’s tempting to scrape everything back, so try a loose, low tie or a clip instead.
• Bleach and chemicals. Consider holding off on bleaching or chemical treatments for now.
• Heat. Heat from a hair dryer is on the list, so let your hair air-dry when you can.
• Over-brushing. Brushing your hair too much is on the list too, so brush gently and only as needed.

Be kind to yourself as well. Jean Hailes notes that hair loss can be very distressing and that mental health support is important too.

If you’re refreshing your routine, you can browse the hair care range on priceline.com.au or ask our team in store.

How can our pharmacists help?

• Check whether a supplement, vitamin or medicine is suitable while you’re breastfeeding.
• Talk you through iron supplements if your GP finds your levels are low, including side effects like constipation.
• Help with other women’s health questions, from contraception to pregnancy supplements and vaccines, in a private consultation room.
• Point you to a GP when something needs a closer look. Help Medical, the independent general practice inside our store, welcomes walk-ins subject to doctor availability, and booking ahead is the surest way to be seen.

Pacific Fair’s 4 hours of free parking also makes it easier to get everything done in one trip with a baby in tow.

When to see a pharmacist or GP

Talk to a pharmacist before starting any supplement or medicine while you’re breastfeeding. See a GP (our in-store Help Medical GPs are one option) if:

• your hair is falling out in clumps, or you’re losing a lot more than usual
• shedding hasn’t eased, or there’s no sign of regrowth, after about six months
• you also feel tired, weak or listless, or look pale
• you have other new symptoms and want to rule out a cause such as a thyroid problem
• hair loss is getting you down, or you’re feeling low or anxious after the birth

For support with low mood or anxiety after having a baby, you can also call PANDA’s National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline on 1300 726 306.

Call 000 in an emergency. If you or someone else is in danger, call triple zero (000) straight away.

This article is general information only and isn’t a substitute for personal advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist or you’re worried, talk to your pharmacist or GP. In an emergency, call 000.