Why Am I Sweating So Much After Giving Birth?

A Singapore Mom's Guide to Postpartum Night Sweats

Introduction

I still remember that first week home with my newborn. I thought the hard part was over after delivery. Then I woke up at 3am absolutely drenched with sweat. My hair was oily, my sheets were moist, and I honestly wondered if something was seriously wrong with me.

And this was in Singapore, where the aircon was already running at full blast.

If this sounds familiar, take a deep breath. You are definitely not alone.

Postpartum night sweats are one of those things nobody really talks about during pregnancy, but almost every new mom experiences them.

Today, I want to walk you through exactly what is happening in your body from both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine perspectives, why it happens, and most importantly, how to get through it without losing your mind in our tropical climate.

The Problem: Why Is This Happening to Me?

Your Body Is on a Hormonal Rollercoaster (Western Medicine View)

Remember how pregnancy hormones made you feel like a completely different person? Well, postpartum hormones are just as intense, just in the opposite direction.

During pregnancy, your estrogen levels skyrocket. After you deliver your baby, those levels drop dramatically and fast. This sudden hormonal plunge is what triggers those intense night sweats.

Think of it like your body hitting the reset button, except the reset button is stuck and keeps going off at 2am, 4am, and 6am.

Your Body Is Shedding Pregnancy Fluid

Here is something I wish someone had told me earlier. During pregnancy, your body holds onto about 50% more blood and fluids to support your growing baby. After birth, your body does not need all that extra fluid anymore.

So where does it go? Out through your pores.

Your body is literally sweating out all that extra pregnancy fluid. It is doing exactly what it should be doing, even though it feels uncomfortable and frankly, kind of gross.

The TCM Perspective: Qi and Blood Deficiency

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, postpartum sweating has a different but equally important explanation that many moms in Singapore and Asia will recognize from confinement practices.

According to TCM principles, childbirth causes significant Blood loss and depletes your Qi (vital energy).

This Blood deficiency after childbirth can lead to symptoms like excessive night sweats, along with constipation, insomnia, dizziness, and hormonal imbalance.

When your body is low on Blood and Qi after delivery, it cannot properly regulate your pores. Think of it like your body has lost its ability to open and close the doors properly. The result? Excessive sweating, especially at night.

This is why traditional confinement practices focus on protecting your body from wind drafts and cold, which are rooted in safeguarding your Qi and Blood during this vulnerable time.

Your grandmother was not being difficult when she told you to stay warm and avoid the fan. She was trying to help your body conserve its weakened Qi and prevent further depletion.

It Happens to Almost Everyone

Research from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists shows that up to 29% of women report significant night sweats in the postpartum period, though many experts believe the actual number is much higher since most women do not report it.

Here in Singapore, where our weather sits between 27 to 33 degrees with high humidity, the sweating can feel even more intense. You are dealing with both your body's internal changes AND our tropical climate at the same time.

You are in good company. This is normal.

When Does It Get Better?

The good news? This does not last forever.

For most moms, postpartum night sweats peak in the first two weeks after delivery and gradually improve over the next 4 to 6 weeks. Some women experience them for up to 3 months, especially if you are breastfeeding, since nursing also affects your hormone levels.

From a TCM perspective, this is why the 30-day confinement period is considered vital for restoring Qi, replenishing blood loss, and strengthening your body's constitution.

I found mine started to ease up around week 4, though I still had occasional sweaty nights for another month after that.

Your timeline might be different, and that is okay. Every body recovers at its own pace.

What Actually Helps: Real Solutions for Singapore Moms

1. Choose Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Sleepwear

This was game-changing for me, especially in our humid climate. Switching from regular cotton pajamas to breathable, moisture-wicking fabrics made such a difference.

Look for sleepwear made from bamboo, moisture-wicking blends, or lightweight, breathable materials. These fabrics pull moisture away from your skin instead of trapping it against your body.

And here is something I learned the hard way: your nursing bra matters too. A heavy, non-breathable nursing bra at night just adds to the discomfort. I switched to a soft, breathable nursing sleep bra that kept me supported without making me feel like I was wrapped in plastic.

In Singapore's weather, this choice becomes even more critical.

You need fabrics that work with your body, not against it.

Pro tip: Keep an extra set of pajamas and a towel right next to your bed. When you wake up soaked, you can change quickly without fumbling around in the dark.

2. Balance Your Aircon and Room Temperature

This is where living in Singapore gets tricky. We need aircon to survive, but from both Western and TCM perspectives, you need to be careful.

Western approach: The ideal room temperature for sleep is between 15°C to 19°C (60°F to 67°F). But in practice, most Singapore homes run aircon between 23°C to 25°C, which is a good compromise.

TCM approach: Avoid direct exposure to wind drafts, as cold can enter your body when your channels are still open after childbirth. This does not mean you cannot use aircon. It means:

• Do not point the aircon directly at you
• Use a fan on gentle mode, not pointed straight at your body
• Wear light long sleeves or cover your shoulders even in aircon
• Keep your feet covered with light socks

I know it sounds counterintuitive when you are sweating buckets, but many moms find that gentle, indirect cooling works better than blasting cold air directly on their skin.

3. Layer Your Bedding Strategically

Instead of one thick comforter, try layering lighter blankets. This way, you can easily kick off a layer when you are hot and pull it back on when the aircon gets too cold.

I also put a waterproof mattress protector under my fitted sheet and kept an extra fitted sheet folded nearby. On particularly sweaty nights, I could just pull off the wet sheet and have a fresh one ready without having to remake the entire bed at 3am.

Some moms swear by putting a large towel over their pillow and on the mattress where their body lies. It absorbs the sweat and is much easier to change than full bedding.

4. Stay Hydrated (Yes, Really)

You are already sweating out what feels like gallons of fluid. Why would you drink more water?

But here is the thing: all that sweating can actually dehydrate you, especially if you are breastfeeding and living in our humid climate. Dehydration can make you feel even worse and can affect your milk supply.

TCM tip: Drink room temperature or warm water instead of ice cold water. Cold water can shock your system and weaken your digestive Qi. Many confinement practices recommend warm red date tea or warm water with a slice of ginger.

Keep a large water bottle or flask next to your bed and sip throughout the night when you wake up for feeds.

5. Support Your Body with Nourishing Foods

From a Western perspective, you need nutrients to help your body recover and regulate hormones.

From a TCM perspective, you need to nourish your Qi and Blood to strengthen your physical health, improve immunity, and help regulate your hormones back to balance.

Foods that help both perspectives:

• Red dates (hong zao)
• Ginger (warming and helps circulation)
• Chicken essence or bone broth
• Dark leafy greens (for iron and blood building)
• Black beans and black sesame (nourishing for kidneys and blood)
• Salmon and other omega-3 rich foods

Many Singapore moms have confinement food delivered or prepared by their mothers or nannies. These traditional meals are specifically designed to help with postpartum recovery, including excessive sweating.

If you skipped confinement meals or your sweating continues past the first month, it might be worth consulting a TCM physician about herbs or foods that can help restore your Qi and Blood balance.

6. Manage Triggers

Certain things can make night sweats worse:

• Spicy foods before bed (even though we love our chili in Singapore)
• Caffeine in the afternoon or evening (that iced tea after 3pm)
• Heavy, oily meals close to bedtime
• Stress and anxiety (easier said than done, I know)

I noticed my night sweats were worse on nights when I had a late, heavy dinner or when I was particularly stressed about the baby. Eating lighter in the evening helped a bit.

7. Time Your Showers Wisely

A lukewarm shower before bed can help regulate your body temperature. Not too hot (which can trigger more sweating) and not too cold (which can shock your system and go against TCM principles).

Some moms find that a quick rinse off in the middle of the night helps them feel fresh enough to go back to sleep without doing a full pajama change.

TCM note: If you are still in your first month postpartum, check with your elders or TCM practitioner about shower frequency and temperature. Traditional practices vary, but the key is protecting your body while it heals.

When to Call Your Doctor

While postpartum night sweats are usually completely normal, there are some red flags to watch for:

Call your doctor if you experience:

• Night sweats accompanied by fever (over 38°C or 100.4°F)
• Foul-smelling sweat or discharge
• Excessive bleeding or large blood clots
• Chest pain or difficulty breathing
• Night sweats that suddenly start weeks after they had stopped
• Severe headaches or vision changes along with the sweating
• Extreme fatigue that does not improve with rest
• Dizziness or fainting spells

These could be signs of postpartum infection, thyroid issues, severe anemia, or other conditions that need medical attention.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it is always better to check with your healthcare provider.

You Are Going to Get Through This

I know how frustrating it feels when you are already sleep-deprived and now you cannot even stay dry long enough to get a decent stretch of rest.

And in Singapore's weather, where we are already dealing with heat and humidity every single day, postpartum sweating can feel like your body is working against you.

But this phase will pass. Your hormones will stabilize. Your Qi and Blood will gradually restore. Your body will finish shedding that extra fluid.

And one morning, you will wake up and realize you made it through the whole night without changing your clothes even once.

Until then, be gentle with yourself. Stock up on breathable sleepwear. Keep that water bottle full. Consider nourishing foods that support your recovery. And remember that whether you look at it through Western medicine or TCM, every sweaty night is your body doing exactly what it needs to do to heal and recover.

You are doing an amazing job, mama. Even at 3am. Even soaking wet. Even when it feels like too much.

Your Turn

Have you experienced postpartum night sweats? What helped you get through them? Did you follow confinement practices? Email us at hello@lovemere.com and share your thoughts. Sometimes the best advice comes from other moms who have been exactly where you are right now.

Sources & References

1. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) - Postpartum Recovery and Common Symptoms
2. National Health Service (NHS) UK - Postpartum Health: What to Expect After Giving Birth
3. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) - Postpartum Hormonal Changes
4. Sleep Foundation - Optimal Room Temperature for Sleep
5. Thomson Medical Singapore - Postnatal Recovery with TCM
6. Thomson TCM Singapore - How TCM Promotes Healthy Pregnancy and Postpartum Recovery
7. Oriental Remedies Group Singapore - Supporting Fourth Trimester with TCM
8. Singapore Paincare TCM Wellness - TCM Postpartum Care

Are you enjoying this post?

Feel free to share this with any mums. Join the mums community today and receive weekly motherhood tips and tricks directly to your inbox. Occasionally we will send you updates on new launches and exclusive events, and you will always be the first to know.

Shop Lovemère collection today.