You finally fall asleep after another exhausting day with your newborn—only to wake up completely drenched. Your clothes are soaked, the sheets feel damp, and you have to get up and change before you even think about going back to bed. Postpartum night sweats are real, frustrating, and incredibly common. But why does that happen? How long does it last? And more importantly—how do you manage it so you’re not waking up in a puddle every night? Find out below.

Postpartum Sleep Sweating: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and How to Stay Comfortable

Bringing a baby into the world is a massive physical transformation. Your body shifts from pregnancy mode to recovery mode almost overnight, and with that comes a flood of unexpected symptoms—one of the most surprising being postpartum night sweats.

If you’ve been waking up soaked in sweat, wondering if something is wrong, know this: it’s completely normal. Postpartum night sweats are your body’s way of flushing out excess fluid, balancing hormone levels, and adjusting to life after birth.

But because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with.

What Are Postpartum Night Sweats?

Postpartum night sweats, or postpartum sleep sweating, refer to excessive sweating during sleep in the weeks following childbirth. It’s part of the body’s natural recovery process, helping you shed extra fluid and adjust to hormonal shifts.

How common is it?

• Around 35% of new mothers in the U.S. experience postpartum night sweats (Source: Cleveland Clinic).
• A study in Japan found that 58.6% of women experienced night sweats three days postpartum, with numbers dropping to 15.2% after one month (Source: International Journal of Nursing and Midwifery).

In other words? If you’re sweating through your sheets after giving birth, you’re far from alone.

Why Do Postpartum Night Sweats Happen?

There’s no single cause behind postpartum night sweats. Instead, it’s a combination of hormonal shifts, fluid loss, and internal body regulation.

1. Hormonal Changes (The Biggest Trigger)

During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone levels are at an all-time high. But after birth? They drop dramatically.

That hormonal crash affects the body’s temperature regulation, making you more prone to sweating—especially at night. In some cases, the effects are similar to hot flashes experienced during menopause, as both are linked to low estrogen levels (Source: Cleveland Clinic).

If you’re breastfeeding, estrogen levels stay low for longer, which extends the duration of postpartum night sweats.

2. Your Body Is Shedding Extra Fluid

During pregnancy, your body holds onto extra fluid—a necessary adaptation to support both you and your baby. But once you’ve given birth, that fluid has to go somewhere.

One of the ways your body gets rid of excess fluid is through sweating—especially at night. That’s why postpartum sweating often peaks in the first two weeks before gradually tapering off (Source: Cleveland Clinic).

3. Breastfeeding and Prolactin Levels

If you’re nursing, you might notice that your night sweats are more intense on breastfeeding days. That’s because prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, also lowers estrogen levels, which sometimes worsens the sweat.

In other words, the more you breastfeed, the longer your body stays in that low-estrogen state—potentially extending night sweats beyond the first few weeks.

How Long Do Postpartum Night Sweats Last?

Most cases follow a general pattern.

• First few nights postpartum: Sweating is at its worst as your body rapidly flushes out extra fluid and hormones.
• First two weeks: Many women experience heavy night sweats during that window, with symptoms gradually improving.
• After one month: Sweating usually decreases significantly, especially if you’re not breastfeeding.
• Beyond six weeks: Some women (especially those who are breastfeeding) may continue experiencing mild night sweats due to low estrogen levels (Source: Cleveland Clinic).

If postpartum night sweats persist for months, come with other strange symptoms, or seem excessive, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions like thyroid imbalances.

How to Manage Postpartum Night Sweats

While postpartum night sweats can’t be stopped entirely, there are ways to reduce discomfort and prevent them from disrupting your sleep.

1. Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Your sleep environment plays a big role in how intense your night sweats feel. A few adjustments should make a difference:

• Set your room temperature lower than usual—even a slight drop would do.
• Use breathable, lightweight bedding that wicks away moisture.
• Keep a fan or air conditioner running for better airflow.

2. Stay Hydrated (Even If You Feel Drenched in Sweat)

It sounds counterintuitive—why drink more water if you’re already sweating so much? But the reality is, excessive sweating leaves you dehydrated, leading to headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
• Keep a bottle of water by your bedside to sip on if you wake up sweaty.

3. Wear Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Fabrics

What you wear to bed either eases your discomfort or makes things worse. Stick to:

• Loose, breathable pajamas made of cotton or moisture-wicking fabric.
• Light layers that are easily removable if needed.
• A towel or moisture-absorbing pad under your sheets if sweating is severe.

4. Avoid Trigger Foods Before Bed

Certain foods and drinks make night sweats worse, so it’s worth experimenting with what works for your body. Common culprits include:

• Spicy foods (they naturally raise body temperature).
• Caffeine and alcohol (both disrupt your sleep cycle and affect temperature regulation).
• Heavy or greasy meals (they may increase sweating overnight).

If you’re experiencing severe night sweats, try adjusting your diet and see if symptoms improve.

When to Talk to a Doctor About Postpartum Night Sweats

While postpartum night sweats are normal, they shouldn’t come with:

• Unexplained weight loss.
• A racing pulse or persistent dizziness.
• Extreme fatigue beyond typical postpartum exhaustion.
• Sweating that lasts longer than a few months.

They could be signs of an underlying condition like thyroid dysfunction or a hormonal imbalance that needs medical attention. If you’re concerned, it’s always best to check in with a healthcare provider— to be sure everything is on track.

Your Body Is Resetting—And That Phase Will Pass

Waking up drenched in sweat night after night is frustrating, uncomfortable, and downright exhausting. But remember: it’s temporary.

Your body is working hard to recover, and sweating is one of the many ways it finds balance again after pregnancy.

Yes—postpartum night sweats are annoying. But they’re also a sign that your body is healing, adjusting, and finding its way back to normal.