Postpartum Body Odor? What It Is and Why It Happens
When you realize the answer to "What's that smell?" is postpartum body odor, here's what's going on.
Medically reviewed by Bree Lustre, MDMedically reviewed by Bree Lustre, MD
Both postpartum body odor and increased sweating are normal and common and can happen for a variety of reasons after you give birth. For instance, things like milk production, postpartum hormone shifts, and shedding excess fluid from pregnancy can all impact postpartum body odor.
Postpartum body oder is one of the most common bodily changes that are experienced. We spoke to multiple experts to discuss why changes like postpartum odor can occur, how to best manage new, sometimes unpleasant or unsettling symptoms, and how long postpartum body oder lasts.
Atipati Netiniyom / EyeEm / Getty Images
What Causes Postpartum Body Odor and Sweat?
Different factors, including excess fluid, hormones, lactation, and stress, could lead to increased sweat and scent in the postpartum period and cause what is known as postpartum body odor.
Hormone changes
“Hormonal changes are dramatic in the postpartum period, with a rapid drop in estrogen and progesterone and rise in prolactin in order to produce milk,” explains Banafsheh Bayati, MD, OB-GYN, FACOG, a board-certified OB-GYN practicing in Santa Monica, California, and the medical co-founder of Perelel.
“These hormonal shifts are needed for milk production but will also impact your mood, hair, libido, and body odor," Dr. Bayati adds.
Related: 20 Things to Know About Your Postpartum Body
Excess fluid from pregnancy
Damian Pat Alagia III, MD, MS, MBA, medical director for women’s health at Quest Diagnostics explains that a pregnant person gains up to 10 pounds of amniotic fluid, blood, and other fluids.
“Once the baby is born, the fluid needs somewhere to go," Dr. Alagia adds. Because of this, postpartum parents often experience increased sweating. "This is the body’s way of flushing out these excess fluids.”
Milk production
While your milk production is increasing, you may notice more sweating, particularly at night. With an increase in sweat, there is a possibility for increased postpartum body odor. This is similar to when hormones change during puberty. But, maternal odor can also be nature’s way of helping you bond with your newborn.
“A change in a postpartum scent helps direct a baby toward for breastfeeding,” adds Dr. Alagia. In fact, during breastfeeding, people can excrete different pheromones—mix that with a baby’s saliva, and it can cause an odor that may be new and unfamiliar to the lactating person.
Postpartum bleeding and discharge
You will also notice vaginal discharge that smells and looks different from a typical menstrual period.
“The postpartum body brings smells that may be confused with sweat-related body odor,” says Dr. Alagia. “This includes a vaginal discharge called lochia, which is a mix of amniotic fluid, tissue, and blood. It usually passes through the vagina up to six weeks post-birth.”
Lochia and C-Sections
Both surgical and vaginal births will have postpartum bleeding and discharge. If you have a surgical birth, you may have lighter and less lochia than with a vaginal birth.
Heightened sense of smell
Just like during pregnancy, in the fourth trimester, your sense of smell can be heightened.
While a 2024 meta-analysis found that there isn't a significant difference in postpartum senses of taste and smell, Dr. Bayati says that some pregnant and postpartum people can have an altered sense of smell and taste and thus are more acutely aware of body odor changes that may be less obvious to others.
She adds that the baby also has a keen sense of smell and the pheromones and body odor may be important signals for bonding and imprinting time.
Sleep deprivation and stress
In addition to the fluids your body is trying to shed after giving birth, the physical and emotional toll of having a newborn can also affect your scent.
Christina Burns, L.Ac, FABORM, founder of Naturna and doctor of Chinese medicine, says that exhaustion doesn't help. For many postpartum parents, it leads to increases in stress hormones, anxiety, and other factors that contribute to sweating and odor.
Related: Newborn Sleep: What to Expect Between Birth and 3 Months
How Long Does Postpartum Body Odor Last?
The good news is that postpartum body odor will not last forever, the changes are very normal, and postpartum body oder does go away. In most cases, postpartum body odor and increased sweating will subside once your hormones balance back about.
However, that timetable will vary from person to person. “This would depend a lot on whether breastfeeding is involved and when the period comes back,” says Dr. Burns. “Once you see your cycle restored postpartum, it means hormones are in the mix; no period means estrogen and progesterone are low.”
Managing Postpartum Body Odor and Sweat
Even though postpartum smells are normal, Dr. Alagia notes that "it is understandable" that a new parent may way want to avoid unpleasant smells.
Dr. Burns suggests managing smells and odors with a balanced diet, as must rest as possible, cutting back on caffeine, and trying to minimize processed foods.
If certain smells or experiences are bothering you, here are some other tips for managing postpartum odor and sweat.
Practice regular hygiene. “Good hygiene is important in helping to eliminate smells," says Dr. Alagia as a starting point. Even if you've had a surgical birth or stitches, there are no postpartum restrictions for showering and cleaning yourself after delivery. (Finding the time, however, can be more of a challenge!)
Stay hydrated. “Hydration is key postpartum for both milk production and to help flush out toxins and dilute the odors from your body,” says Dr. Bayati. “While you are sweating more to release the extra fluid buildup during pregnancy and labor, you need to replenish the extra loss to avoid headaches, constipation, underproduction of milk supply, and even stronger body odor.”
Avoid certain foods. “Try to reduce or eliminate things that cause an increase in odor and sweating—caffeine (especially coffee), stress, anxiety, garlic, onion, very large portions of foods, refined sugars and carbs, and alcohol,” Dr. Burns suggests.
Be careful with heavy scents. While it may be tempting to turn to heavy scents from lotions, detergents, or deodorants, Dr. Burns suggests being careful when adding new products to your postpartum routine. Your skin could be extra sensitive, as could your newborn's skin when they come into close contact with you. Stick to fragrance-free products if possible, Dr. Burns adds.
When to Worry About Postpartum Body Odor
Certain postpartum body odors are fairly harmless. “There is not usually a cause for concern with underarm odor,” says Dr. Burns. “It signifies low hormones, an imbalance of stress, and digestive system issues. None are [usually] life-threatening.”
Contact a health care provider
That being said, don't hesitate to contact a health care provider with any unusual postpartum odors you experience, especially if you have other symptoms, including:
Fever
Increasing pain
Pus at suture sites
Worsening bleeding
Dizziness/fainting
Difficulty breathing
Dr. Bayati says that every new parent should be in contact with their health care provider frequently in the fourth trimester. She recommends speaking to or visiting your health care provider at two weeks postpartum and between six and eight weeks if things are going well.
In addition, pay attention to any changes to your vaginal discharge, especially once you have resumed having sex. “Body odors, especially those associated with vaginal discharge, may be related to a urinary tract infection, bacterial vaginosis, a yeast infection, or even a sexually transmitted disease,” says Dr. Alagia.
Related: When Does Postpartum Depression Start and How Long Can It Last?
Stay aware of your mental health
Finally, be mindful of your mental health as well as your physical health in the postpartum period. “The lack of motivation to shower and practice good hygiene may be a result of postpartum depression—that warrants a doctor’s visit as well,” says Dr. Alagia.
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