Seriously? It’s been 7 months already and I am still shedding off hair like crazy!  It’s not only me who’s going gaga about this- the whole household’s bugged coz I unknowingly drop a strand of hair here and there… The only thing that’s keeping me from going straight to a hair restoration doctor is that I’ve had three pregnancies and I know that the whole thing is normal.  However, hair loss until this time may sound a little bit off.  Right about now, hair loss should be dwindling a bit… but in my case, it’s just not so.  Could it be because I am still purely breastfeeding my baby?

According to The American Pregnancy Org, Telogen effluvium is the excessive shedding of hair that occurs one to five months following pregnancy. This is not uncommon, affecting somewhere between 40 to 50% of women; but like most changes during pregnancy, it is temporary.  From this fact, I should have been seeing improvements already since my baby is now 7 mos… but unfortunately no.

Good thing The American Pregnancy Org provided some valuable tips on how mommies like me can deal with hair loss.

• Consult with your health care provider to ensure a proper balance of hormones
• Avoid pigtails, cornrows, hair weaves, braids and tight hair rollers which can pull and stress your hair
• Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables, which contain flavonoids and antioxidants that may provide protection for the hair follicles and encourage hair growth
• Use shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and silica
• Hair is fragile when it is wet, so be gentle; avoid fine tooth combs
• If you need to use blow dryers and other heated hair instruments, try to use the cool setting
• Supplement your diet with the following nutrients:
  • Vitamin B complex
  • Biotin
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Zinc

Of course, since I am a lactating mommy, I have to be extra careful in what I actually digest– specifically, drugs and other vitamins that might affect the milk I am producing.  Amongst the choices, I am drawn to the ‘eating healthy stuff’ suggestion.  Yup, that I can definitely do without the guilt!