BO and BF

[scaryfairy28]

Has anyone else had this issue ever since dd was born I smell really bad despite showering deodorant etc none of it helps could it be hormonal or something??

[HettyAmaretti]

I think it's partially that the heighten sense of smell from pregnancy remains for a good while when you're BF. I think I did smell more easily when BF though, my theory was that it's to help DC find / recognize / bond with us. Mitchum deo is excellent, bomb (and BF) proof.

[suiledonne]

I'm normally not a sweaty person but found myself to be incredibly sweaty in the early months with both dd1 and dd2. How old is your dd?

Normally I would be fine if I forgot to put on deodarant after a shower but found with breastfeeding I would sweat profusely. The problem was I didn't want to wear a strong smelling deo when feeding. I got a natural one in the health shop and it helped a bit. I just ended up showering more often.

[HettyAmaretti]

The mitchum stuff isn't particularly heavily scented, no more so than any other I've used the one I had smelt like baby powder. IIRC they do an unscented one too.

[HipHopOpotomus]

I've been caught out a couple of times. Dd is 6 weeks and I've had a few pongy days ( not normal for me). They have been warm rainy days when I've had dd in front pack and light raincoat on. I've gone out and arrived squiffy and embarrassed despite showering and wearing deodorant

[violetwellies]

I thought it was just me, not particularly smelly use a lightly scented roll on, but pour with sweat. Have taken to sleeping on and under a towel, I had an emergency hysterectomy & even the Health Visitor thought it might be that, feel much happier now I know other BF mums are drowning in sweat :)

[orchidee]

Two things:

It takes time to lose the excess fluid that was needed during pregnancy. Not everyone notices themselves sweating more, partly due to the seasonal temperature. It's more noticeable in summer.

You may find your metabolic rate is higher due to BF so in warmer weather you'll be even warmer than usual - you may only need lightweight clothes.

Antiperspirant (rather than deodorant) will just cause the sweat to be released where the AP hasn't been applied. You may find other areas seem sweaty.

[scaryfairy28]

So glad it's not just me!! I reek!!

[Janoschi]

I noticed the same. In marked contrast to the last few months of pregnancy when I didn't seem to need any deodorant at all. Now I'm constantly sticky and feeling in need of a shower :-(

[gourd]

I had terrible hot flushes for several weeks after the birth and I still get very hot when actually feeding my LO - it's hormonal. Mitchum is brilliant deoderant and I've always used it. I get the unscented one. The main problem I had in the first few months of BF-ing was smelling like a ripe cheese all the time, with milk leakage and baby vomit all over every item of clothing! The laundry basket was always full as not only was I changing LO's outfit at least twice a day (I couldn't bear the smell otherwise) but my own clothes were never worn for more than a day before washing as they stunk like a cheese shop!

[japhrimel]

BF raises your body temperature. It's a useful mechanism to keep you and LO warm when feeding outside but it can make you sweaty if you don't lose some layers before feeding!