Why Am I Losing So Much Hair After Baby?
If you’re a new mom staring at clumps of hair in your shower drain, you’re not alone. Postpartum hair loss—also known as telogen effluvium—is a very common experience in the months following childbirth. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating, emotional, or even scary.
Let’s break down why it happens, what your hormones and nervous system have to do with it, and what natural, supportive steps you can take to help your body recover.
The Real Culprit: Hormones and Stress
Estrogen Drop = Hair Shedding
During pregnancy, estrogen levels are high—and that surge does amazing things for your hair, skin, and nails. Most women notice thicker, shinier hair while pregnant. But once the baby arrives, estrogen levels drop rapidly, which causes many hair follicles to enter a “resting phase” and then shed all at once a few months later.
Stress and Cortisol
Let’s not overlook the massive stress your body goes through during labor, delivery, and the early postpartum months. Sleepless nights, breastfeeding challenges, healing from birth trauma, and new responsibilities all take a toll on your nervous system—which in turn affects your hormone balance.
Cortisol (your body’s main stress hormone) can interfere with the healthy growth cycle of hair, slow down nutrient absorption, and disrupt thyroid function—all of which play a role in hair health.
The Nervous System-Hormone Connection
Your nervous system and endocrine system (hormones) are deeply interconnected. If your nervous system is stuck in a state of fight-or-flight (sympathetic overdrive), it can keep your body from properly balancing hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones—all key players in postpartum recovery.
How Chiropractic Care Supports Hormonal Balance
At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we specialize in nervous system-based care—which means we’re not just helping with aches and pains, but supporting your body’s ability to heal and regulate from the inside out.
When misalignments in the spine cause interference in the nervous system, it can impact how your brain communicates with your organs—including your hormone-producing glands. Gentle, neurologically focused adjustments help:
- Reduce stress and cortisol levels
- Support better sleep and emotional regulation
- Promote parasympathetic healing (rest-and-digest mode)
- Improve hormone communication and balance
We especially recommend care for postpartum moms who are navigating sleep deprivation, breastfeeding challenges, mood changes, and the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood. Supporting the nervous system helps you adapt to all of it—and yes, even helps your hair grow back!
Collagen for Hair, Skin, and Hormonal Recovery
While your body works hard to rebalance hormones and recover from stress, it also needs key building blocks to rebuild tissue—including hair follicles, skin, joints, and gut lining.
That’s where collagen comes in.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body and is essential for:
- Hair and skin health
- Gut lining repair
- Joint and connective tissue integrity
- Postpartum recovery and elasticity
Dr. Kirsten’s go-to recommendation is Whole Body Collagen by Designs for Health. It’s hydrolyzed for better absorption and combines three types of collagen (I, II, III) with vitamin C and amino acids that support the body’s natural production of collagen.
It’s clean, unflavored, and easy to mix into coffee, smoothies, or oatmeal—making it a daily must-have for postpartum healing.
You’re Not Just “Shedding” Hair—You’re Shedding Stress
Mama, your body has done something incredible. Hair loss after baby isn’t just cosmetic—it’s a sign that your system is working hard to regulate after months of hormonal highs and lows.
By supporting your nervous system through chiropractic care and replenishing your body with collagen and nutrients, you’re giving yourself what you truly need: restoration, regulation, and resilience.
Need Extra Support?
If you’re in the Sarasota or Lakewood Ranch area, we’d love to support you through your postpartum journey. At Pinnacle Chiropractic, we specialize in nervous system-based care for moms, babies, and families—and we’re here to help you feel like you again.
Let’s get your hormones, nervous system, and confidence back on track—one adjustment (and one collagen scoop!) at a time.
Looking for a Pediatric or Prenatal Chiropractor near you?
Please visit www.pdcnearme.com to find someone in your area.
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