The postpartum period can bring many changes for new moms. Postpartum body odor, sore nipples, stretch marks, hair loss, night sweats to name a few.. and a new baby to care for! The good news is many of these are temporary and there are things you can do to help.
One of the hormonal changes that bothered me the most was the postpartum body odor. I felt like no matter how many showers I took, the smell came right back. And showers can sometimes be hard to come by with a new baby! In this post, we’ll focus on the causes of postpartum body odor and ways you can reduce it.
Causes of Postpartum Body Odor
You might notice after you have your baby that your underarms smell more stinky. There are a few reasons behind this which can be attributed to the hormonal changes your body experiences postpartum.
Your body emits different pheromones through your sweat glands to attract your newborn baby to your breast for breastfeeding. Babies have poor eyesight when first born and rely a lot on their olfactory abilities (sense of smell). While that’s pretty incredible, it can still be quite frustrating to deal with the odor.
Your body is also trying to rid itself of excess fluids by sweating more. During pregnancy, your blood volume increases to support your growing baby and placenta. You may also receive fluids during labor which can cause swelling. And hormonal shifts cause a change in the odor from your apocrine glands. These things combined are a major cause for the more potent smell in your underarms!
Your hormone levels are going to go through a lot of changes and you’ll most likely experience at least a few postpartum symptoms. Your progesterone and estrogen levels will dramatically drop after giving birth which can also cause baby blues or postpartum depression. (Related post: 18 Surprising Postpartum Body Changes No One Tells You About)
Your uterus contracts in attempt to return to normal size and produces lochia or vaginal bleeding, which can also be a cause for postpartum body odor. It may not be the most pleasant scent. However, vaginal discharge should never be foul-smelling, so seek medical attention if you’re experiencing this as it could be signs of infection.
You might also be leaking breast milk which can dry and cause a sour smell. Your baby might also be spitting-up on you constantly (always missing those burp rags!).
Something else to consider is many women have heightened sense of smell during pregnancy. Sometimes it takes time for this symptom to pass during the postpartum period, so you may be smelling yourself more than others around you (well, you and your baby but they like it!).
Treatments/Solutions
The good news is there are some things you can do to help with the new odor you’re rocking postpartum.
Drinking Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is not only good for your milk supply if you’re breastfeeding, but it’s also important to help flush out the toxins and waste your body is trying to get rid of postpartum. This will help reduce your body odor in turn if you’re not dehydrated. You’re losing a lot of water so you need to replace it with water.
Wear Loose Clothing or Cotton
Wearing loose clothing or cotton clothing will allow the surface of your skin to breathe and not trap in sweat. It will also make you more comfortable and not feel wet and sticky.
Natural Deodorant
I highly recommend switching to a natural deodorant if you aren’t using one already, especially while breastfeeding. Some deodorants can pass harmful chemicals into your body. If you’re breastfeeding, your baby will be very close to your underarm area as they are nursing and some can be rubbed off onto their sensitive skin.
Not all natural deodorants are the same, and you may find that one works better for you than it does for your friend. Some people find that a coconut oil base works best for them (anti-microbial and anti-bacterial). Others may like activated charcoal versus baking soda. It took me trying three different natural deodorants to find the right one for me.
If you aren’t using natural deodorant yet, here are a few I recommend trying!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and antiseptic which will help neutralize your underarms and get rid of that odor-causing bacteria! You can apply it to a cotton round, swipe your underarms and rinse. If that feels too abrasive or irritating for you, try diluting the apple cider vinegar 2:1 (ex. 2 tablespoons ACV to 1 tablespoon water).
Lime Juice
A lot of people swear by rubbing a lime wedge directly to their underarms to get rid of body odor. This makes sense because limes have a high pH level which destroys those same odor-causing bacteria. Just make sure you rinse after applying! And if you have sensitive skin, dilute with water like the apple cider vinegar!
Detox
Before detoxing your armpits, please follow up with your doctor especially if you’re breastfeeding! If you really want to fight that underarm odor, you can make a paste using bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar. Don’t apply for too long (no more than 5 minutes) and make sure you rinse well after!
Change Pads Frequently
One of the postpartum changes you will be experiencing after having your baby is vaginal bleeding (even if you have a c-section!) Making sure you maintain good hygiene and changing your pads frequently will help reduce any unpleasant odors from down there!
Herbal Postpartum Pads
If you want to get really extra, you can purchase some lavender and mint infused postpartum pads. These pads can help with healing and soothing, but will also help disguise any vaginal odor.
Shower
I included this one last because it’s the most obvious solution, but also clearly the most effective. Easier said than done though as new parents. Just try to ensure you’re getting one shower a day and taking care of yourself! Even if it’s putting the baby in a bouncer and getting in a quick body wash.
Postpartum body odor can be really frustrating to deal with but just remember that it’s all part of the postpartum changes and will eventually go away! Some women only experience it for a few weeks and others up to 4-5 months. I hope some of these remedies will help you in the meanwhile. Let me know in the comments if you’ve been doing anything different that’s helped you! Or if you want to give any natural deodorant recommendations to other mamas!
Other Post You Might Like:
- 18 Surprising Postpartum Body Changes No One Tells You About
- When is it Too Late to Wear a Postpartum Belly Wrap?
- The Best Proven Ways to Increase Your Breastfeeding Milk Supply
- How to Prevent Diaper Blowouts: 22 Best Tips Every Parent Must Know
