Why Am I So Sweaty?
Postpartum Night or Day Sweats: Why is it happening? How Can I Stop it?
Why You Might Be Sweating More After Birth — Especially If You’re Breastfeeding
If you wake up drenched in sweat after having your baby, don’t panic — postpartum sweating is completely normal! After delivery, your body works hard to get rid of all the extra fluid it held during pregnancy, and one of the main ways it does that is through sweating (especially at night). Hormone levels like estrogen and progesterone drop quickly, and if you’re breastfeeding, your prolactin and oxytocin levels stay high — both of which can increase body heat and fluid loss. The result? You may feel extra warm or wake up sweaty for the first few weeks. Most women notice it easing up after one to three weeks, though it can last a little longer for breastfeeding moms. Here’s why:
Why women sweat after giving birth
- Hormonal shifts:
- During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels are high.
- After delivery, these hormone levels drop rapidly, which affects the hypothalamus (your body’s temperature regulator).
- The body temporarily becomes more sensitive to small temperature changes, triggering excessive sweating, especially at night.
- Fluid balance adjustment:
- During pregnancy, your body retains extra fluid — sometimes several liters worth — to support the baby and placenta.
- After birth, your body works to eliminate this excess fluid through urination and sweating.
- This is why many new moms wake up drenched in sweat for the first several nights postpartum. Seems gross, but it’s harmless and it won’t last forever.
- Metabolic recovery:
- Your metabolism remains elevated for a short time after delivery to support tissue healing and milk production, which can increase body heat and sweating.
When it should stop
- Typical duration: 1–4 weeks postpartum.
- Milder sweating (especially during sleep) may last up to a month, depending on how much fluid was retained during pregnancy, how much you’re breastfeeding, and your individual hormone recovery rate.
- If it lasts beyond 4–6 weeks or is accompanied by fever, chills, or feeling unwell, it may indicate infection, thyroid imbalance, or another condition that needs medical evaluation.
Tips to manage postpartum sweating
- Stay hydrated: Replace fluids lost through sweating; water and electrolytes help.
- Dress in light, breathable layers: Cotton pajamas and bedding help wick moisture.
- Cool sleep environment: Keep your room slightly cool and use a fan if needed.
- Avoid overheating: Skip hot baths, saunas, and very warm rooms for the first few weeks.
- Balanced nutrition: Helps hormone regulation and fluid balance recovery.
How breastfeeding affects postpartum sweating
- Prolactin and oxytocin boost fluid loss
- When you breastfeed, prolactin (the milk-making hormone) and oxytocin (the let-down and bonding hormone) rise.
- Both hormones influence your body’s fluid regulation and can stimulate mild diuresis (fluid release) — meaning you pee and sweat more.
- This helps your body shed retained pregnancy fluid faster.
- Extra heat during milk production
- Lactation increases your metabolic rate slightly because producing milk burns extra calories and generates heat.
- This can make breastfeeding women feel warmer and sweat more, especially during or right after nursing sessions.
- Hormonal cycling remains suppressed
- While breastfeeding, estrogen levels stay relatively low.
- Low estrogen keeps your hypothalamus (the temperature-control center) a little more sensitive — similar to what happens in menopause — making you prone to warm flushes and sweating episodes.
Breastfeeding vs. Non-breastfeeding mothers
| Factor | Breastfeeding mothers | Non-breastfeeding mothers |
|---|---|---|
| Hormones involved | Higher prolactin, oxytocin, lower estrogen | Estrogen rebounds faster |
| Fluid loss | More sweating and urination early postpartum | Moderate, shorter duration |
| Duration of sweating | Can persist 3–4 weeks (gradually less intense) | Often resolves within 1–2 weeks |
| Body temperature sensitivity | Higher (due to lactation and hormonal suppression) | Normalizes faster |
Postpartum Sweating. When to check with your provider
Persistent or excessive sweating beyond 4–6 weeks, especially with:
- Fever or chills
- Rapid heartbeat
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tremors or anxiety may suggest thyroiditis, which sometimes develops postpartum (especially in women with a history of thyroid autoimmunity).
As always, you can ask our resident Clinical Nutritionist about best supportive foods to help you during this season of life. #jodithenutritionist #michiganfamilydoulaservices #michiganfamilydoulas #michiganfamilynannies #doulanearme
