Still Exhausted—Even Years After Having Your Baby? Here’s What Your Sleep, Stress & Hormones Are Telling You

Motherhood changes everything—especially your energy.

If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I still so tired? My baby sleeps fine!” — you’re not imagining it. That lingering fatigue isn’t laziness; it’s your body’s way of asking for support.

Even years after birth, many moms still feel like they’re running on empty. In this post, we’ll unpack what’s really behind your exhaustion and how you can start rebuilding energy that lasts.

1️⃣ Your Hormones Are Still Finding Balance

After childbirth, your hormones don’t reset overnight.

Estrogen and progesterone can fluctuate for months—or even years—after pregnancy, while your stress hormone cortisol often stays high. When cortisol is constantly elevated, your body stays stuck in survival mode. Sleep, recovery, and mood all take a hit—leaving you tired no matter how many hours you’re in bed.

💡 Try this: Eat consistent meals (every 3–4 hours), move your body regularly, and take short breaks throughout the day to calm your nervous system. These small habits help stabilize hormones and restore your natural energy rhythm.

2️⃣ Chronic Stress = The Cortisol Rollercoaster

Motherhood often means constant motion. Between work, family, and endless to-dos, it’s easy to live in “go mode” 24/7.

Many moms return to work soon after birth and never get a true recovery period. That ongoing stress can lead to chronically high cortisol—which affects:

  • 😴 Sleep: you feel tired but can’t fall asleep or stay asleep
  • 🔄 Hormones: your cycle feels irregular or unpredictable
  • 💪 Muscle recovery: harder to build strength, more soreness
  • ⚖️ Metabolism: harder to lose fat or maintain energy

💛 Support your nervous system with simple daily resets: go for a walk outside, take 3 deep breaths before meals, stretch before bed, or say “no” to one thing on your list.

3️⃣ Under-Fueling = Energy Depletion

So many moms unintentionally eat too little. Skipping meals or surviving on coffee and snacks sends your body into “conserve mode,” lowering metabolism and slowing recovery.

You might feel wired and tired at the same time (twired) — hungry, moody, and running on fumes.

🍳 Simple fix: Eat every 4-5 hours and include protein + fat + carbs + fiber each time. That steady rhythm supports blood sugar, hormones, and energy—without the crashes.

4️⃣ Sleep Quality > Sleep Quantity

Even if you’re technically getting 7 hours of sleep, fragmented or shallow sleep leaves you just as exhausted.

Here’s why it matters:
💤 Deep sleep is when your body releases 95% of human growth hormone (HGH) — the key to repair, recovery, and metabolism (yes, women have HGH, too).

If you’re staying up late to finally get some “me time,” it’s understandable—but chronic sleep debt keeps your body in stress mode.

🌙 Try this: Create a simple nighttime routine—dim the lights, sip magnesium tea, stretch, and put your phone away 30 minutes before bed.

5️⃣ Nutrient Depletion

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, stress, and lack of recovery can all deplete essential nutrients like ironmagnesium, and B vitamins — the exact nutrients your cells need to make energy.

NutrientWhy It MattersBest Food Sources
IronCarries oxygen to muscles and tissuesBeef, chicken, spinach, lentils
B VitaminsConvert food into energyBeef, eggs, salmon, leafy greens
MagnesiumCalms the nervous system and supports sleepAvocado, nuts, pumpkin seeds

💡 Ask your provider about checking your iron and vitamin D levels if fatigue persists—deficiencies are common postpartum. When you join the Strong, Nourished & Energized Mom Method Program, you will be able to get access to ordering blood work.

Start Small

Restoring energy doesn’t mean doing more. It means doing smarter.

Choose one simple focus this week:

  • Add a balanced breakfast (even if it’s quick)
  • Go to bed 30 minutes earlier
  • Take a short walk outside each day

These small wins compound into sustainable energy. Progress doesn’t happen overnight—but it starts with one small shift done consistently.

If you’re constantly tired, your body isn’t broken—it’s communicating.

When you start listening, nourishing, and slowing down just enough to recover, your energy naturally comes back.

If this resonates, tune into the full episode of the Strong & Nourished Momma Podcast for a deeper dive into sleep, stress, and hormone recovery.

Learn more about my signature 8-week group coaching program, The Strong, Nourished & Energized Mom Method

🌿Your Next Step!

If this week’s episode hit home because you’re struggling with fatigue, stress, or feeling “off,” it might be time to take a closer look at your hormones.

That’s where Mira comes in — it’s the smart, at-home hormone tracker that helps you truly understand what’s happening inside your body.

Here’s what Mira does:

💧 Tracks 4 key hormones — LH, E3G, PdG, and FSH

📊 Shows your 6 most fertile days and cycle shifts

🔎 Predicts and confirms ovulation with lab-quality accuracy

🌸 Supports women from fertility through perimenopause and menopause

And Mira isn’t just for tracking ovulation — it’s a complete tool for understanding hormone balance, energy, and stress.

I’m currently using Mira to track my hormones!

🩺 How Mira supports your care:

  • Helps identify underlying hormone imbalances that can affect your health and energy
  • Allows your provider (or you!) to personalize nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle strategies
  • Gives real-time hormone tracking to monitor your progress and adapt your care plan
  • Provides continuous, at-home hormone data with lab-quality insights
  • Learn More HERE

✨ Mira’s Early Black Friday Sale is happening now! 

Save up to 20% off their bundles using my link below

Use Code: MIRABF20

And if you order through my ​link​, I’m offering free hormone results coaching to help you interpret your Mira data and use it to support your goals. Just reply to this email or DM me “MIRA” on Instagram. I will be able to see your results in real time and review them with you in a 15 minute consult.

Understanding your hormones is one of the most powerful steps you can take toward feeling strong, nourished, and energized again. 💛

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I’m Val—New Mexico native, licensed Registered Dietitian, board-certified Sports Dietitian, certified personal trainer, and momma to one sweet baby girl. I created Wellness by Val to help busy women, especially postpartum moms, feel strong, nourished, and truly supported through every season of life.

With a background in Exercise Science, Nutrition, and Functional Medicine, plus certifications in pregnancy and postpartum coaching, I bring a science-backed, balanced approach to health—and a whole lot of real-life experience.

I believe movement is a gift, not a punishment. That pizza is always worth loving. And that women deserve to feel good in their bodies—no matter how full their plates are (literally and figuratively).

Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, rebuilding your strength, or just trying to eat better without stress, I’m here to walk alongside you. Let’s make wellness simple, sustainable, and even a little fun.

Meet Val

Functional Sports RD + Postpartum Specialist