Postpartum hair loss: Three tips every new mum should know

Being pregnant, many of us will experience the best, fullest and shiniest hair of our lives.

I know I sure did. In fact, I will go as far as saying my (rather accidental) first pregnancy pretty much saved my hair. It was in pretty dire condition having tested hair extensions for a beauty feature I was writing before falling pregnant. My hair was literally coming out with the extensions, and my once thick locks were thinning out so quickly. Being honest, I cried every time I cleaned the shower drain. But then luckily I got pregnant, and my hair literally started growing twice as fast as it ever has before, and somehow managed to get both bouncier and shinier too. Those pregnancy hormones are one powerful beauty elixir, let me tell you. Normally, we lose about 100 strands of hair every day, but when you are pregnant, you lose fewer than that, making your hair seem fuller than it usually is. The problem is that once you are done being pregnant, your hair starts falling out again, often playing catch up on all the hair you didn't lose when pregnant. As well as this, childbirth and breastfeeding can also rob your hair of protein and moisture. Plus, your diet in the first hectic weeks after having a baby might also be lacking in good nutrients, vital for keeping your hair in good condition. But if you find your locks are thinning out fast, don't fret mamas, here’s how to get your pre-baby hair back. 1. Don't skimp on daily care The first thing you should do, is invest in a good, mild shampoo and a deep conditioning mask containing proteins to use a couple of times a week. This will help plump up your hair and give it more volume. Also, a good idea would be to avoid blow-drying or heat styling your hair as much as possible, as this can damage already frail hair. 2. Super boost your diet The condition of your hair depends a lot on what you eat and how you nourish your body. As protein is the major component of hair, increasing your intake of protein-rich foods like fish, eggs, soy, free-range chicken and lean red meat, is a good idea. Also, if you are losing a lot of hair, get your doctor to check your blood for iron levels, as anaemia can increase the risk of hair loss. Up your intake of mineral-rich foods too, as minerals like silica can strengthen the hair and promote new growth. 3. Ditch the turban Wrapping your bath towel around your wet hair like a turban causes breakage, especially to hair that is already fragile. Your hair gets caught in all the woven fibres and since most women almost always wrap it too tight around their face, all those tiny, fragile strands around your face are more prone to break. Air dry as often as possible, and be gentle when you detangle wet hair,  always start from the bottom and work your way up.