Hair loss 14 months after giving birth

Postpartum shedding happens when many hairs shift into the resting phase after delivery. By this point, ongoing loss may reflect slow recovery, nutritional deficiency, thyroid disturbance, scalp inflammation, stress, a medication effect, or an inherited pattern becoming more visible.

Diffuse shedding leaves extra strands in the shower or brush and reduces volume across the scalp. A widening part or gradual thinning at the crown can suggest pattern hair loss. Smooth bald patches, broken hairs, scaling, redness, pain, or marked itching point to other problems that need examination.

Short regrowing hairs around the hairline are encouraging and can be mistaken for breakage. Compare photographs taken in similar lighting and with the same part rather than relying only on daily shed counts, which naturally fluctuate.

Eat regular meals with adequate protein and varied sources of iron and other nutrients. Handle wet hair gently, loosen tight styles, reduce high-heat styling, and avoid chemical processing if the shafts are snapping. These measures limit avoidable breakage but do not correct an internal cause of shedding.

Book a primary care or dermatology visit to review the timeline, menstrual changes, diet, weight change, medicines, breastfeeding status, and family history. A clinician can decide whether scalp examination or blood tests for anaemia, iron stores, or thyroid function fit your symptoms. Do not start high-dose supplements without confirming a need.

Arrange medical review when shedding remains heavy, density keeps decreasing, the part visibly widens, or regrowth is absent. Seek earlier assessment for bald patches, scalp pain, pus, crusting, significant redness, or loss of eyebrows or eyelashes.

Promptly mention fatigue, dizziness, breathlessness, feeling unusually cold, palpitations, major weight change, or very heavy periods. Those accompanying features can guide evaluation for an underlying health issue rather than a hair-only problem.

You could ask whether your scalp shows active shedding, breakage, inflammation, or patterned thinning; which blood tests are relevant; and whether any treatment is compatible with breastfeeding, pregnancy plans, medicines, and your diagnosis.