How is hair loss and reduced milk supply after childbirth related?

These two symptoms seem like two completely separate problems, however in Chinese medicine they can be easily explained by the loss of blood from childbirth.

In Chinese medicine, your Blood nourishes your head to give you glossy, shiny, thick hair. This is because of the increased blood supply your body has to support your new ‘growth’. It fills all the vessels in your body including your head, giving you amazing hair. However, once you give birth, you lose a large component of this blood and it can take 6-24 months to regenerate depending on your diet and lifestyle.

But how is hair on your head related to your milk supply? Well in Chinese medicine, your breast milk supply is actually a special component of your Blood supply. So if you’ve lost a lot of blood (and worse still, haemorrhaged during birth) and your body can’t keep up with demands, you will not have as much supply. This is mainly noticed when you get your period too, because you are then losing even more blood.

So what’s the answer? Very soon after childbirth, you can start nourishing yourself with delicious, warm, hearty food which specifically build blood. In China, grandmothers often make a special soup, however these days you can start taking some Chinese herbs which do something very similar.

Acupuncture and moxibustion can also build blood to support milk supply and hair growth.