What's Happening To Me?! (When Your Postpartum Body Takes You By Surprise)

Forgetfulness. Shedding clumps of hair. Leaking from.. well, all over. By the end of pregnancy most of us look forward to getting back to feeling like our normal selves again, only to be taken by surprise when it feels anything but normal! Here's what changes to expect postpartum and how to feel more comfortable in your own skin.

Hair Loss

During pregnancy you probably enjoyed thicker hair, thanks to higher estrogen levels. After giving birth estrogen levels fall, and the hair that wasn't shedding so frequently over the last 9 months begin to come out now. You might notice clumps in your hair brush or even feel as though you are pulling it out by handfuls when you shampoo in the shower. Thankfully this is temporary and your hair is usually back to its pre-pregnancy normal after several months. *If you feel like your hair loss is excessive, check in with your healthcare provider to rule out another cause.

Stay on top of regular trims to keep your hair feeling soft and healthy. Some even opt for a shorter style so the shedding isn't as noticeable (bonus: short or mid-length wash and go styles are great when you have small children to chase after). Check out our Style For Moms board for hair inspiration.

Night Sweats, Leaky Breasts

Many moms will experience postpartum sweating, but breastfeeding parents have the joy of longer periods of postpartum sweating and maybe even some leaking breasts. You have hormones to thank again for waking up in a puddle! To stay feeling fresh, sleep on cotton sheets and a towel (Keep a second one near the bed if you need to switch out in the middle of the night). Worried about being able to hop in the shower for a quick refresher if you're home alone with baby? Pop baby in a bouncer right in the bathroom.

For leaky breasts, we love Bamboobies nursing pads. They are soft, absorbent, and reusable.

Mom Brain- Really!

Researchers are still working to understand more about what happens to our brains due to hormonal changes, but ask any new mom and she'll confirm: "Mom Brain" is a real phenomenon. Hormones aren't the only factors to blame though. Consider the major lack of sleep and sudden need to learn- and do- a variety of new tasks centering around a little human totally dependent on you. It makes sense that while our brains do their best to multi-task, there is a limit.

Be easy on yourself. It can be frustrating when you are used to feeling on top of things and now forget the simplest tasks. You might use an app or notebook to make notes and keep track of feedings and diaper changes for a few weeks. Take a breather and walk around outside in the sun to hit reset when you're feeling particularly foggy. Prioritize sleep and feeding good foods to yourself.


The postpartum period can make you feel out of sorts, but thankfully it is a time of transition and you'll settle into a new normal in the months to come.