The short explanation
Broken sleep is one of the hardest parts of the early months, and feeling worn out is very common. Most mothers manage by sharing night duties, sleeping when the baby sleeps during the day, and letting go of non-essential tasks. Babies' sleep usually becomes longer over the coming months, though every baby is different. Feeling dizzy, though, is worth checking. Anaemia after delivery, thyroid changes, not eating or drinking enough, and low mood can all add to exhaustion.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- If someone can give expressed milk or formula for one night feed, you may get a longer stretch of sleep. A partner can also handle burping, changing and settling.
- Never sleep with the baby on a sofa or chair, which is unsafe. If you are very drowsy while feeding in bed, ask someone to stay awake with you.
- Ongoing exhaustion, no appetite or feeling hopeless can be signs of postnatal depression.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell whether your dizziness has a medical cause such as anaemia. A doctor may check your haemoglobin and other blood tests.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could my dizziness be from anaemia or thyroid?
- Should I have a blood test?
- Is my baby's night waking normal for this age?
- How can my family help so I get more rest?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you faint, have chest pain, a racing heart or trouble breathing.
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have heavy bleeding, a high fever with shivering, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
Get help the same day
- See a doctor the same day if you feel very faint, breathless, or cannot stay awake while caring for the baby.
Book an appointment soon
- Book a check within a few days to look for anaemia or other causes of exhaustion.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Discuss sleep and mood at your postnatal check.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum care MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Postpartum depression MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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