Excessive Sweating After Giving Birth | What to Expect, the 4th Trimester

If you’re experiencing excessive sweating after giving birth you’re probably wondering what the heck is happening to you! As if the physical and emotional demands of early motherhood aren’t enough you have to deal with sticky, wet, sweaty sweat! Early motherhood sure is glamorous!

If you’ve been following us you already know we’re covering what to expect during the 4th trimester. Topics like hair loss and excessive sweating after giving birth, tips to soothe a crying baby, and spoiling versus bonding, all at the request of moms just like you!

Excessive sweating after giving birth is completely normal!

While there is no glory in that we hope you find some comfort (no matter how small) in knowing it’s the norm. A drop in estrogen and fluctuation in hormones plays a big fat part of it. Damn hormones! Additional fluids created by the body in pregnancy and the additional fluids given in labor are also responsible. Your pores and kidneys are pulling double shifts, which means, you guessed it more trips to the bathroom. Excessive sweating during the postpartum time period is not well understood and breastfeeding moms may sweat more due in part to hormonal changes associated with breastfeeding.

Here are some tips to help you manage excessive sweating after giving birth;

Pro Tip: Protect Your Investment

If you don’t already have a mattress protector on your bed, now is the time to get one. Between sweating, postpartum bleeding, leaky boobs, infant spit up, and eventually toddlers who climb into your bed at night and have accidents you’ll want to protect your investment!

Extra Hand Towels

Place a hand towel on top of your pillow to catch most of the sweat from your head and neck. Keep them right near the bed and switch them out a couple of times a day or more if needed.

Fresh Sheets & Clothing

Have your partner, family member, friends, or postpartum doula change your sheets while you’re up out of bed. Fresh sheets just make everything feel a little better! Wear light, loose, breathable cotton clothing help to keep you cooler. Likewise make your bed up with cotton sheets and a couple of light blankets, nothing heavy or made from synthetic fabric.

Adjust Your Environment

Adjust the thermostat to your comfort. Infants should be dressed appropriately for the environment they’re in, with no greater than one layer more than an adult would wear to be comfortable in that environment. Also, a personal fan for the win! One you can aim directly at you and not on the baby. Also, don’t avoid stepping out on the patio or opening your windows for some fresh air of it’s breezy and cool! Sunshine provides some natural vitamin D, a cool breeze can be so refreshing, and both are good for your mind, body, and soul.

The Power of a Shower

Finish your shower with cool (not cold) water. Allow enough time for your body to cool down, just as you would at the end of your workouts. With that said make sure you are completely cooled down before you hop into your bed and insulate your body with sheets and blankets.

Stay Hydrated

With excessive sweating after giving birth and caring for a newborn, it’s easy to get dehydrated. Eat fruits that are high in water content and drink water, water, and more water often! Keep a pitcher next to your bed of water and a cup with a straw to make drinking more, easier!

The excessive sweating after giving birth will subside.

You should see some resolve by about six weeks postpartum. Sometimes, especially if you are nursing a baby, it can take longer. Another glorious perk or being a mommy, I know! Hang in there and I hope these tips are helpful to you!

Excessive Sweating After Giving Birth | What to Expect, the 4th Trimester