Postpartum night sweats: Causes and treatments

What are postpartum night sweats?

Night sweats are defined as heavy sweating during the night – usually heavy enough to soak your bedding or nightclothes. Postpartum night sweats, then, are night sweats experienced after giving birth, usually in the first few weeks after birth.

Nightsweats are completely normal before and after giving birth, with research showing that they affect about one-third of women before and after delivery.

But however common they may be, sweating during the night can still be uncomfortable. Night sweats can cause you to wake up during the night – and that can affect your sleep (which is likely already disrupted as a new parent!). That can leave you feeling tired and irritable the next day, and you may find that you need to change your sheets and pajamas more often than usual.

Night sweats commonly last several weeks after giving birth (typically up to six weeks), although everyone is different – and they may last longer if you’re breastfeeding.

What causes postpartum night sweats?

There’s a lot going on in your body when you’re pregnant and after you give birth – and while there’s not a huge amount of research into the cause of postpartum night sweats, it’s thought that they’re mostly caused by fluctuations in hormone levels and a loss of fluid after you give birth.

Changing hormone levels

During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise to support fetal development and prepare your body for labor – and after giving birth, including delivering the placenta, estrogen and progesterone levels drop.

These changing hormone levels can have an impact on all sorts of things, including your mood – and it’s likely that they play a role in postpartum night sweats, too. Low estrogen levels, in particular, can cause sweating. Low levels of this hormone may affect how your body regulates heat, causing changes in body temperature, and you sweat to cool off – which, during the night, can result in you waking up with soaked sheets.

Loss of fluid

During pregnancy, the body naturally retains additional fluid to support your growing baby and prepare for childbirth. The amount of extracellular fluid (all body fluid outside of cells) in your body can increase by 30-50% during pregnancy.

That means that this excess fluid needs to be shed after giving birth – and it’s thought that the process of losing this extra fluid may contribute to postpartum night sweats.

Are postpartum night sweats while breastfeeding normal?

Yes, it’s very common to get night sweats while breastfeeding. When you’re pregnant, the levels of the hormone prolactin will start to rise. This hormone serves various purposes, but its main function is to aid the development of breast tissue during pregnancy and to make milk for breastfeeding after birth. 

If you choose to breastfeed, then prolactin levels will remain high for as long as you do so – and high levels of prolactin can suppress estrogen levels. And because low estrogen levels can cause sweating, this may mean that you experience night sweats when breastfeeding. 

Everyone’s different, and the duration and intensity of night sweats when breastfeeding can vary significantly from person to person. For some, night sweats may only occur in the immediate postpartum period and will decrease naturally in the following few weeks, even if you continue to breastfeed. For others, night sweats may be a longer-term thing, lasting the full time you’re breastfeeding.

Can you prevent postpartum night sweats?

There’s not much you can do to stop night sweats completely. But there are some ways of reducing the discomfort of night sweats. Using these tactics may help to reduce the intensity of your night sweats, so you may not notice them as much, and they may have less of an impact on your life. Some things that can help with night sweats include:

• Staying hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated. Dehydration can make night sweats worse, so aim to drink water regularly, especially if you're breastfeeding, as nursing mothers need additional fluids.
• Dress in breathable clothing: Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics to bed. Consider pajamas that are made from cotton or moisture-wicking materials to help promote airflow and keep your body cool during sleep.
• Create a comfortable sleep environment: Keep your bedroom cool and well-ventilated. Use fans or air conditioning if necessary to maintain a comfortable temperature for sleeping.
• Use cooling bedding: You may want to consider investing in a mattress and bedding to keep you cool and comfortable at night. Alternatively, you could invest in a mattress protector or place a bath towel under you when you sleep to help soak up sweat and prevent staining your sheets and mattress.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol: Reduce your intake of caffeinated beverages and alcohol, especially in the evening, as these substances can disrupt sleep patterns and contribute to night sweats.
• Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga to help relax your mind and body before bedtime. Chronic stress can contribute to hormonal imbalances and disrupt sleep, so finding ways to manage stress can be beneficial.

It’s also a good idea to seek support. You’re almost certainly not the only person in your circle who has experienced or is experiencing postpartum night sweats – but it’s not something we often speak about, so it may feel like you’re the only one. Speak to your friends, family, partner or other new parents who can offer encouragement, advice, and reassurance – this can be helpful both in regards to postpartum night sweats and adjusting to life with a newborn in general. 

When to worry about postpartum night sweats

Postpartum night sweats are common and usually go away on their own after a few weeks or months. They’re usually not anything to worry about, but there are some instances where you should visit your doctor:

• Frequent or severe night sweats: If you’re waking up every night drenched in sweat, or your night sweats are particularly severe, it’s a good idea to speak to your healthcare provider to rule out any underlying issues.
• Additional symptoms: If night sweats are accompanied by other concerning symptoms such as fever, chills, persistent fatigue, unexplained weight loss, or abnormal vaginal bleeding, it's important to seek medical attention. These symptoms could indicate an underlying infection, hormonal imbalance, or other medical condition that requires evaluation and treatment.
• Mood changes: While mood changes are common in the postpartum phase, persistent feelings of anxiety, depression, or overwhelming sadness shouldn’t be ignored. If you're experiencing persistent emotional distress along with night sweats, it's important to seek support from your healthcare provider or a mental health professional.

In general, if you’re unsure whether you should be concerned about night sweats, it’s best to speak to your doctor. They’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action, as well as any treatment options if necessary.

Postpartum support from Natural Cycles

When you’re in the postpartum period, night sweats are just one of the weird and wonderful things your body is going through. We’re here to help you at every step of the after-birth journey with NC° Postpartum, a brand new app mode that’s designed to guide you through this important life stage. Learn more about how we can support you, or get started today!