Postpartum Hair Loss and Motherhood | Luxy Hair

We interviewed three new moms to get a deeper understanding of their postpartum experience and all that it entails. We get candid about hair loss and shedding, the best hairstyles for new moms, and what it means to be a mom in this day and age.

Nawal and baby Hannah (18 months) in off-black blonde balayage hair fill-in

Describe your hair in three words.

dry! Very thin. And I would say it’s also a very big part of my identity.

Funny thing is, I never really liked my hair growing up. I always felt like I had the wrong texture or the wrong color. And after I had my little ones, I felt like I had little choice whether I liked it or not. Because that’s exactly what it was. Since then, I’ve started taking better care of my hair because it’s become clear that it’s very important to me.

How has your hair changed after pregnancy?

Before I had kids, I think I had a lot of hair that could naturally flow to one side, and it just looks good. The texture is also a little easier to work with. It is now increasingly dry and it is very difficult to keep it that way. After having a small child, I started losing a lot of hair, especially on the front of my head. And it definitely became harder to style and I had to work harder to hide most of that hair loss.

One of the most difficult things to experience after pregnancy is the many changes that occur in your body. When I had my second child, I lost more hair than when I had my first child. And you think that at some point it will end and you’ll go back to your old self, but that’s not the case and your body continues to change in different ways. So it was much more difficult to deal with it given everything else we’re dealing with right after the baby was born.

What kind of hairstyle did you have before giving birth?

Before I had a baby, I think I had a lot more time to take care of my hair, play with it, style it, and put effort into it. Whereas now as much as I care about it and want to take care of it. Time is limited. So I’ll do everything I can while I have time. Something easy and fast. Now I try to make it as natural or easy as possible. Blow-dry quickly to create a low bun. Or even braid it.

How has becoming a mother changed you and what are your priorities?

I have always focused on my personal goals and career. But once I became a mother, it changed a bit because it wasn’t just about me anymore. I feel I have a responsibility to make this world a better place for them. My priorities have changed, but definitely for the better. What I always say at work is that being a mother has actually made me a better contributor to the workplace and a better contributor to society. I feel like I have more ownership over the world.

What do you think about the 4th term fill-in?

I added two clips on each side and it takes about 2 minutes to apply. It was very easy to use. It’s amazing how it blends into your hair with little pressure. I think it’s incredible how easy it is to clip it on and how much effort you have to put in to make it look good.

Are you doing anything to prioritize self-care?

Sometimes self-care can be as simple as enjoying a cup of coffee. This is something I like to do on a daily basis. I wait until the kids are out of the house before enjoying my coffee. Another big thing is working out. It’s important to me, so I try to do it as often as possible. But then again, when the kids aren’t around, you have a chance to connect with your body a little more and get some mental rest.

What is it like to be a modern mom?

To me, modern mothers are similar to what modern mothers want. I think we’ve finally gotten to the point where we’re past the point of passing judgment and just accepting motherhood and everything that comes with it. So I’m committed to what mothers want to be and I think that’s where I think we should be going and where we should be.

Christine and Sawyer with chocolate brown hair (8 months old)

How would you describe your hair in three words?

It’s always changing, messy, and windy. I only wash my hair once or twice a week because I’m losing a lot of hair now. Therefore, you want to keep it on your head instead of collecting it in the shower.

That also got messed up because Sawyer likes to pull my hair. So I often put them in a bun or throw them with claw clips so he can’t pull them out.

I’m a first-time mom, so it’s definitely been an adjustment, especially during a global pandemic. My hair was thick during my pregnancy, but I’ve definitely noticed hair loss and thinning on my scalp postpartum, and I sometimes feel self-conscious when trying to put it in a ponytail.

What kind of hairstyle did you have before giving birth?

Previously, my hair was usually left down and curled, but like I said, he loves to pull my hair, especially when we hug him at that age.

After giving birth, I started to notice postpartum hair loss on my forehead, which was difficult to hide. After that, I started losing hair on my scalp and started thinking about wearing a ponytail. It definitely hurt my self-esteem when I went from having full hair to having to comb it until certain areas were covered. If you don’t always pay attention to the details, it will be difficult to look good. I don’t think people realize this, but you can always be your own worst critic.

For now, the messy bang mom look is my everyday hairstyle or nail clip look. So it’s very rare for my hair to be down just because I feel it’s thinner and not as attractive.

How has becoming a mother changed the way you see yourself?

It’s definitely been a different journey, especially when it comes to self-love. Because it takes nine months to raise a baby, and the body turns into an alien realm. And you have to give birth and not only take care of this desperate baby, but also yourself. And I don’t have time to do the things I usually do. As you know, something as simple as taking a shower and washing your hair is no longer at the top of your list. So priorities have definitely changed. My hair and makeup habits have definitely changed.

How do you prioritize yourself? What does self-care look like?

Communication with your partner is really important. Or maybe someone will help you from time to time so that you have time for yourself during the day. You can also take a bubble bath, read a book, or do some scrapbooking. When you’re also caring for a baby, finding time is everything.

Now that Sawyer is 8 months old, we have a schedule set. He goes to bed around 6 or 7, but I stay up until midnight. Make time for yourself in between. Take a bubble bath, read a book, light a candle, meditate.or Something fun that brings me back to who I am. It’s not just me as a mother.

How do you feel about becoming a mother?

Becoming a mother is not easy, but it’s worth it in the end. You can watch this little person grow into a full-fledged person and the world become a beautiful place for your baby. They are the source of your life.

What did you learn about yourself?

Another thing I learned is how to love unconditionally. When a child is born, the way you open your heart completely changes. You think you know what love is until you have a child and they become your whole world.

Being a mother is not easy, that’s for sure. But it’s always worth it in the end because you get to see this little person become human and they become half of you.So you can definitely learn a lot

How would you define a modern mother?

Modern moms can do anything. And she chooses what she wants to be. Just because you’re a mom doesn’t mean you have to be a stay-at-home parent full-time. You may become a breadwinner. So I’m very happy that we have a choice. We can follow our passions, but we can also choose to stay home with our babies if we want. Or you can do both.

Briar with blonde balayage hair fills in with Gunner (8 weeks old)

How is your hair after pregnancy?

I definitely feel like my hair has become thinner after giving birth. My hair started falling out around my temples and towards the back of my head. I had a lot of hair before giving birth, so it was a bit of a shock.

What do you think about our fourth trimester hair wefts?

I find it surprising that she has extensions in her hair. I was shocked at how natural it felt. I thought it would be pretty heavy, or that I would be able to easily tell where my natural hair starts and where my extensions are, but it’s really hard to tell. They blend seamlessly. Having beautiful, voluminous hair feels really special.

Has becoming a mother changed the way you see yourself?

Becoming a mother hasn’t changed much about how I see myself. But it made me realize how strong I am as a woman. We were in the hospital with Gunnar for a long time and finally he came 6 weeks early. I was also surprised by my mother’s physical strength. There is no other option, so we have to get it done.

When he was born, my priorities changed dramatically. Everyone told me it would happen, but when it actually happened, I immediately felt strong feelings for him.

To me, motherhood means strength and resilience. I think all moms show that in different ways, whether they choose to stay at home or choose to be working moms. But despite this, I didn’t really understand how strong I had to be as a mother until I gave birth.

How would you define a modern mother?

A modern mother is someone who is not necessarily defined by motherhood. Mothers can be who they want to be.

*All answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.