Postpartum hair loss vitamins moms recommend

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Written by Kelly Bailey | Nov 18, 2021

BabyCenter selects products based on the research of our editors and the wisdom of parents in the BabyCenter Community. All prices and details are accurate at the time of publication. We may earn a commission from shopping links.

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Postpartum hair loss vitamins moms recommend

Vegetarian supplement:
Contains ashwagandha:
Gummy vitamin option:
Contains biotin:
Collagen supplement:
Serum for hair health:
Shampoo for hair loss:
Hair mask:
Sublingual vitamin:
What is postpartum hair loss?

After the magic of pregnancy, some strange things can happen to our bodies, including postpartum hair loss. While every woman and every pregnancy is different, in general, women tend to experience noticeable hair loss after giving birth.

But why? During pregnancy, the life cycle of your hair changes and you actually lose fewer strands per day. "This is why people often say their hair is fuller and healthier in pregnancy,” explains Dr. Danielle Jones, a board-certified ob-gyn known online as @MamaDoctorJones.

After you give birth, your estrogen levels drop, and your hair enters the "shedding" phase, so you can lose a noticeable amount of hair over a short period of time. It's nOpens a new window ormal to shed 50 to 100 hairs a dayOpens a new window, says the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), but postpartum hair loss can be a sudden and shocking change for new moms: thinning spots, a hairline that appears as if it has receded, clumps of hair in your brush or sink.

The AAD calls it “excessive hair sheddingOpens a new window" and not "true hair loss," but that may not make you feel better when you're staring at yourself in the mirror. Dr. Jones reminds new moms that "You won't go bald, your hair is just re-setting to its pre-pregnancy state, and within six to eight months, it should be back to normal." (The AAD says that postpartum hair loss can last for up to a yearOpens a new window, and generally peaks four months after delivery.)

This kind of postpartum hair loss generally isn’t a cause for concern and is a normal part of the prenatal and postpartum period. However, Dr. Jones recommended mothers seek medical care if their hair loss is paired with any other abnormal symptoms, such as changes in the speed or feeling of your heartbeat, excessive sweating, mood or energy concerns, numbness/tingling, or anything else that is concerning to you. And if your postpartum hair loss lasts for longer than one year after you deliver your baby, seek advice from your doctor.

Can you stop postpartum hair loss?

If the change bothers you, there are some things you can do to minimize the level of hair loss, including trying vitamins meant to encourage growth. This won’t slow your hair loss, but the idea would be to assist the healthy regrowth of new hairs.

Keep in mind: You should always check with a physician before taking a new supplement. Some ingredients may not be recommended if you’re breastfeeding, and others may interact with medications or health conditions in ways that aren’t always obvious until you speak with your doctor.

It’s also important to note that, unlike with medications, there are no federal laws requiring supplements to be proven safe before they’re sold — including those sold for postpartum hair loss. Additionally, supplement manufacturers are not required to prove to the FDA that any claims they’re making are accurate. So just because the bottle promises that the pills inside will help with postpartum hair loss doesn’t mean there’s any research to back up that it actually will.

That said, there is anecdotal evidence, if not definitive peer-reviewed scientific research, that suggests certain ingredients may be helpful in encouraging hair health, including in the postpartum period. Dr. Ife Rodney, dermatologist and the founder of Eternal Dermatology +AestheticsOpens a new window, says she’s seen improvements when women take supplements containing ashwagandha, for example, an herb that she says may help reduce the stress hormone cortisol.

Vitamin E and biotin, a B vitamin found in many hair growth supplements and treatments, are great for overall hair, skin, and nail health, says Dr. Jones. (But keep in mind that there is no scientific evidence that these two vitamins will specifically help to regrow hair you’ve lost.)

Are there any other ways to help postpartum hair loss?

If you'd prefer to take a different approach, the AAD recommends using products for fine hair and avoiding conditioning shampoo and "intensive" conditioners, as they may weigh hair down.

Dr. Rodney also recommends topical products, like shampoo or oils, that provide nutrients directly to the scalp, preventing the dryness that can negatively impact hair growth. She recommends using them daily for maximum results.

How we chose the best postpartum hair loss vitamins

We started our search for these options by searching through thousands of posts in BabyCenter's Community for honest recommendations from real postpartum moms for what they think may have helped them. Next, we gave their picks to our team of editors for research and vetting. Chief on our list: making sure products contain one or more of the ingredients that the experts we consulted say have at least anecdotal evidence for working to promote hair health.

As a reminder, the FDA doesn’t review supplements for their efficacy or safety. And you will definitely want to ask your doctor before taking any new supplement, particularly if you are breastfeeding. (You should not take any of these supplements while pregnant.)

If you’re still interested in learning what other moms have said they recommend in the world of postpartum hair loss vitamins, keep reading.

Vegetarian supplement

Eu Natural Vibrance Healthy Hair Growth Complex

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$27

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

$30

Buy at WalmartOpens a new window

The jury's still out on whether Vibrance's marquee ingredients, biotin and MSM (a.k.a. methylsulfonylmethane, billed on this vitamin's label as OptiMSM), encourage thicker hair. But the AAD does say that supplementing biotin may help treat hair loss if you're truly deficient (although this is quite rare for people living in the U.S.).

Vibrance also has a variety of more traditional vitamins and minerals, with 100 percent of your daily vitamin C, E, and zinc. We like that Vibrance isn't tested on animals and uses vegetarian capsules; we also like the brand's Vitamin Angels program, which donates one year of vitamins for children in need for every bottle purchased.

Heads up

This vitamin does have more than 100 percent of the RDV of some vitamins and minerals, which the AAD warns can be harmful in some cases. For example, this supplement gives you 5000 micrograms of biotin, when the recommended daily value for biotin is only 30 micrograms. Taking biotin may also interfere with lab tests to measure thyroid hormones, so if you are taking thyroid medication, biotin supplementation prior to any testing.

Also worth noting: This supplement contains more than the RDA of vitamin E for women, lactating or non (19 and 15 milligrams, respectively), and some experts don't recommend taking vitamin E beyond the daily recommended levels. Be sure to consult your doctor if you plan to take this supplement, particularly if you are breastfeeding. The amount of vitamin B12 in Vibrance also vastly exceeds the RDV for lactating women.

Specs

60 capsules
Take two capsules daily

Contains ashwagandha

Pink Stork Postpartum Mood Support

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$51

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

These capsules contain chamomile, which has been used for hundreds of years as an alternative remedy for stress and improved sleep. They also contain ashwagandha, an herb that is commonly used to treat stress. Dr. Jones says she's seen ashwagandha help improve the look of thinning postpartum hair. Fans say they believe it may have helped them stay calmer through the ups and downs of caring for a newborn, and if it happens to help your tresses, bonus.

Heads up

Research on ashwagandha (a.k.a. withania) hasn't yet determined if it can be found in breastmilk or if it's dangerous for nursing infants, so LactMed (the National Institute of Health database of research on how drugs and chemicals affect lactating women) says to avoid taking it if you are nursing a newborn or preterm infant. This supplement also contains more than the recommended daily value of vitamin D, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and niacin for lactating women, so be sure to ask your doctor if these are okay if you are breastfeeding. Finally, this supplement also contains less than half the recommended daily value of folate for lactating women, so you may need to take another supplement to ensure you're getting the right amount in your diet.

Specs

60 capsules
Take two capsules daily

Gummy vitamin option

Pink Stork Total Glow: Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$20

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

$22

Buy at WalmartOpens a new window

Pink Stork's Hair, Skin, and Nails gummies are made specifically to help postpartum women with some of their most common complaints: weak nails, thinning hair, and tired-looking skin. With 5000 micrograms of biotin along with vitamins B12 and B6, vitamins A, C, D, and E, and zinc, this formulation has legions of fans who say it improved the look of their skin and slowed down hair loss.

Heads up

The taste of these vitamins is polarizing. Some people loved it, and some thought they were too sweet. In addition, some of the nutrients in Pink Stork don't have a recommended daily value for breastfeeding women, and other nutrients are present in levels below the RDV for lactating women, such as vitamin E and vitamin A. You'll definitely want to check with your healthcare provider if you're taking this supplement while breastfeeding.

Specs

60 gummies
Take two gummies daily

Contains biotin

Nature’s Bounty Biotin

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$16

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

$18

Buy at WalmartOpens a new window

$20

Buy at WalgreensOpens a new window

This brand bets heavily on biotin, with 10,000 micrograms in each softgel, some neutral oil and glycerin, and nothing else: no added vitamins or minerals, just biotin intended to help support healthy hair, nails, and skin. That's 33,333 percent of an adult's daily value, and, fans say, after a few weeks they believe they noticed the difference in their hair and nails.

Heads up

These softgels are on the larger side, so if you struggle with swallowing larger pills, this may not be for you. As we noted before, there's no clinical evidence that biotin helps regrow lost hair, and there's not enough research performed on biotin yet to say it's safe for breastfeeding women, so be sure to ask your doctor if this supplement is safe for you if you're lactating.

Specs

250 softgels
Take one softgel daily

Collagen supplement

Pink Stork Total Collagen Gummies

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$25

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

Some studies have shown that collagen supplementation may increase skin elasticity and hydration, and can improve the look of aging skin. Research on its effect on thinning hair isn't yet available, but some experts and users claim that collagen may help maintain healthy hair growth. With 99 milligrams of collagen in each pair of vegetarian gummies, people who’ve taken this supplement also say it tastes great.

Heads up

Each bottle is a one month’s supply, which makes this option the highest priced on this list. There's not enough peer-reviewed research to call collagen safe for breastfeeding women, so you'll want to seek advice from your caregiver if you're nursing your baby and would like to take these gummies.

Specs

60 gummies
Take two gummies daily

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Serum for hair health

Vegamour Gro Hair Serum

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$58

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

$58

Buy at SephoraOpens a new window

If taking a pill every day seems like just another thing to remember, or you’re looking for a one-two punch for hair growth, using a hair serum is a great option. The Vegamour Gro Hair Serum uses plant extracts that have shown some promise in improving the look of hair like red clover and curcumin, which Vegamour promises can increase hair density by up to 50 percent. It also comes with a 90-day money back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.

Heads up

Have you seen that price tag?

Specs

5.61 ounces
One-month supply

Shampoo for hair loss

First Botany Biotin Hair Loss Shampoo

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$22

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

If the idea of taking biotin orally doesn't appeal to you, there are many shampoos that promise thicker, fuller hair with topical use instead, and First Botany's shampoo and conditioner has argan oil for shine, and other ingredients associated with improving the appearance of hair like B vitamin complex and turmeric.

Heads up

It’s not the greatest smelling shampoo.

Specs

Set contains shampoo and conditioner
16 fluid ounces each

Hair mask

Pura D’or Hair Thinning Therapy Intense Moisturizing Masque

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

$19

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

$18

Buy at TargetOpens a new window

$20

Buy at WalmartOpens a new window

Dry, lifeless hair often looks weak and thin, and so moisturizing hair masks can give your hair the bounce and sheen of healthy hair, even if it's only temporary. Pura D'or ups the ante with a blend of ingredients associated with improved hair appearance and hair growth: biotin, cayenne pepper, amla (Indian gooseberry), and apple stem cells. Research hasn't yet proven the link between using these ingredients topically and thicker, healthier hair, but while you're waiting for the proof to roll in, this mask may help in the meantime and comes with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

Heads up

Users say this works best for women with naturally thicker hair.

Specs

8-pack of masks
1.2 ounces each

Sublingual vitamin

Superior Source Biotin

Photo credit: Amazon

Buying Options:

Buy at AmazonOpens a new window

If swallowing pills is difficult for you, a sublingual, which is made to dissolve beneath the tongue, may be for you. With 1,000 micrograms of biotin, Superior Source's sublingual tablets contain 333 percent of the daily value for adults, a dose that fans say lead to improved skin and nail health in a form that's easy even for the squeamish to take.

Heads up

There are no flavors added to this supplement, and some say it doesn't taste great. The recommended daily value for biotin is only 30 micrograms, and research has not shown that it's safe for breastfeeding women, so consult your doctor before taking this supplement, particularly if you are lactating.

Specs

100 sublingual tablets
Take one tablet daily

What is postpartum hair loss?

After welcoming your new bundle of joy, you’ll be on cloud nine. But the hormonal crash that happens in the days and weeks after birth sets off a series of events, one of them being hair loss.

All of the experts we interviewed told us that your hair is stuck in the growth phase when you’re pregnant — resulting in months of thick, voluminous hair during pregnancy. Then, it switches to the resting phase, then the shedding phase, resulting in what can seem like a lot of hair loss. When you're not pregnant, you lose hair every day, so this process is just our hair getting back to its normal growing pattern. But it's still shocking, especially during a time when you may feel like you don’t recognize your own body.

Luckily, there may be some things you can do to help. Consuming a diet rich in a variety of nutrients is good for you anyway, even if helping your hair isn’t your top priority. And if you do want to focus on your hair health, there are plenty of supplements that promise to help (although it’s important to note that supplements aren’t required to have the FDA review them for safety or effectiveness before they hit the market — so just because a product says it will help with postpartum hair loss doesn’t mean it actually will).

Whenever you can squeeze in a shower, using a shampoo formulated for volume or hair growth is a great option to make what hair you do have look fuller, and there are serums to add to your hair care routine which promotes growth and volume, as well.

Postpartum hair loss does eventually end. Whitney Casares, M.D., pediatrician and author of The Working Mom Blueprint, says that by the one-year mark, it should be a thing of the past. A few months after you notice losing more hair, you’ll notice wispy short new growths, sometimes framing your face and defying your ponytail, for example. A note here: if you’re still experiencing massive loss a year postpartum, or you don’t notice the new regrowth, call your doctor because there may be a nutritional issue, or another health concern.

The overall message here from our experts Dr. Casares, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Rodney: caring for yourself in that critical first year of your child’s life is key. And you should know that the changes you may be experiencing when it comes to hair loss are normal and expected. Take your vitamins, wash your hair when you can, and embrace the baby hairs you’ll inevitably have when strands start to grow back in.

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Sources

BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.

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AAD. Hair loss in new moms. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/new-momsOpens a new window [Accessed October 2021]

AAD. Hair loss: Diagnosis and treatment. American Academy of Dermatology Association. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/treatment/diagnosis-treatOpens a new window [Accessed October 2021]

FDA. 2020. Daily Value on the New Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/food/new-nutrition-facts-label/daily-value-new-nutrition-and-supplement-facts-labelsOpens a new window [Accessed October 2021]

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Kelly Bailey

Kelly Bailey is a busy Momma to three under-3 girls, including a set of twins.

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Postpartum hair loss vitamins moms recommend

Can you stop postpartum hair loss?

Are there any other ways to help postpartum hair loss?

How we chose the best postpartum hair loss vitamins

Vegetarian supplement

Eu Natural Vibrance Healthy Hair Growth Complex

Heads up

Specs

Contains ashwagandha

Pink Stork Postpartum Mood Support

Heads up

Specs

Gummy vitamin option

Pink Stork Total Glow: Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies

Heads up

Specs

Contains biotin

Nature’s Bounty Biotin

Heads up

Specs

Collagen supplement

Pink Stork Total Collagen Gummies

Heads up

Specs

Serum for hair health

Vegamour Gro Hair Serum

Heads up

Specs

Shampoo for hair loss

First Botany Biotin Hair Loss Shampoo

Heads up

Specs

Hair mask

Pura D’or Hair Thinning Therapy Intense Moisturizing Masque

Heads up

Specs

Sublingual vitamin

Superior Source Biotin

Heads up

Specs

What is postpartum hair loss?

How to cope with postpartum hair loss

The best postpartum foods for new moms

Best changing pads

Postpartum thyroiditis

Where to go next