Every new mom can attest: The first 12 months postpartum are rough. And, while postpartum hair loss is largely hormonal and can't be prevented, there are a few factors that can heighten its impact on your mane, according to Stephen Pullaniat, a consultant trichologist (aka hair doctor) for the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic in New York.
The culprits? Lack of sleep, poor nutrition and stress (aka three things that every mother has to endure as they do everything humanly possible to keep their newborn alive in the early days).
But there is something that can be done to help lessen the toll, says Pullaniat: Call for backup. For example, enlist your spouse to take a night shift or use an online grocery delivery service like Instacart to make sure your fridge is always stocked with ingredients for healthy snacks and meals. Basically, ask for help when you need it so that you can divide and conquer when you're running on fumes.
Like we said, it's not a cure for postpartum hair loss, but it'll lessen the overall (and, reminder, short-term) impact.
