Day 16 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 16 postpartum?
On day 16 postpartum cracked nipples are usually caused by a poor latch and heal quickly once the latch is corrected. A red, hot, painful area on the breast with fever and shivering suggests mastitis. With mastitis, continuing to breastfeed speeds recovery and does not harm your baby; if the fever persists, see a doctor.
Day 16 postpartum – animated guide
Day 16: the 40-day postpartum dial, your womb shrinking, postnatal bleeding, your baby’s stomach capacity and weight change (illustrative animation).
What the animation shows
- RING
- Coloured ring: the 40-day postpartum period and its stages; the gaps in the ring mark the weeks
- LOCHIA
- Inner band and pad: the colour of postnatal bleeding (red → pinkish-brown → yellowish-white) and how heavy it is
- BLUES
- Blue arc: days 3–14, when the baby blues may appear
- UTERUS
- Womb: its weight (g) and height relative to the belly button (cm); the dashed line marks the belly button
- STOMACH
- Circle: roughly how much milk your baby can take per feed (ml); dashed rings show day 1, day 3, week 1 and month 1
- FEED
- Drop and nappy: feeds in 24 hours and the minimum number of wet nappies to expect
- WEIGHT
- Graph: your baby’s weight compared with birth weight (%)
- ICONS
- Outer icons: first feed, milk coming in, heel prick test, cord falling off, back to birth weight, 1 month, 6-week check
Stage
Settling in
Postnatal bleeding
Yellowish-white (lochia alba)
Womb
≈ 280 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
72 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+3.1%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
24 days
What’s happening in your body?
If milk builds up in the ducts, a hard, tender area can form in the breast; if this blockage isn’t cleared in time it can become inflamed and turn into mastitis. Mastitis can bring flu-like weakness, aching muscles and a temperature above 38 °C.
Your baby today
A well-latched baby has a wide-open mouth with the lower lip turned out, taking in much of the areola as well as the nipple. Their cheeks don’t hollow while feeding, and you can hear regular swallowing.
Feeding and nutrition
Starting feeds on the sore or blocked side helps it drain well; if the pain is too much, start on the other side and switch once your milk is flowing. Varying your feeding position at each feed helps drain different areas of the breast.
Emotions and rest
On days when breastfeeding hurts, thinking about stopping is completely natural; most problems are solved within a few days with the right support.
Care and hygiene
After feeding, rub a few drops of your own milk onto your nipples and let them air-dry. Avoid tight bras and lying on your front in ways that press on your breasts.
Tips for today
- Bring your baby to the breast, not the breast to your baby, with their mouth wide open
- To end a feed, break the suction by slipping your little finger into the corner of your baby’s mouth
- Gently massage a blocked area towards the nipple during feeds
When to seek medical help
See your doctor if you have a red, hot, painful area on the breast with a temperature above 38 °C, shivering, or symptoms that don’t improve within 24 hours. Spreading redness, a fluctuating swelling in the breast or pus from the nipple need urgent assessment for an abscess.
Postpartum day-by-day table
| Day | Topic | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | The First Day After Birth | First 72 hours |
| Day 2 | Colostrum (First Milk) | First 72 hours |
| Day 3 | Milk Coming In and Jaundice | First 72 hours |
| Day 4 | Breast Engorgement | Milk comes in |
| Day 5 | The Baby Blues | Milk comes in |
| Day 6 | Stitch Care and the Toilet | Milk comes in |
| Day 7 | The End of Week One | Milk comes in |
| Day 8 | When Can I Have a Bath? | Healing |
| Day 9 | Sleep and Tiredness | Healing |
| Day 10 | The Umbilical Cord Falls Off | Healing |
| Day 11 | Eating Well After Birth | Healing |
| Day 12 | Yellowish-White Discharge | Healing |
| Day 13 | Caesarean Wound Care | Healing |
| Day 14 | The End of Week Two | Healing |
| Day 15 | Postnatal Depression | Settling in |
| Day 16 | Cracked Nipples and Mastitis | Settling in |
| Day 17 | Visitors and 40-Day Beliefs | Settling in |
| Day 18 | Pelvic Floor and Kegels | Settling in |
| Day 19 | Night Sweats and Hormones | Settling in |
| Day 20 | Can I Go Out With My Baby? | Settling in |
| Day 21 | The Three-Week Growth Spurt | Settling in |
| Day 22 | Tummy, Binders and Diastasis | Settling in |
| Day 23 | Lifting and Driving | Settling in |
| Day 24 | Support From Partner and Family | Settling in |
| Day 25 | Medicines, Tea and Coffee | Settling in |
| Day 26 | Expressing and Storing Milk | Settling in |
| Day 27 | Anaemia After Birth | Settling in |
| Day 28 | Week 4: Is the Bleeding Ending? | Settling in |
| Day 29 | Exercise After Birth | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 30 | Your Baby’s First Month | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 31 | Losing Weight After Birth | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 32 | Sex After Birth | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 33 | Contraception After Birth | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 34 | Hair Loss and Skin Changes | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 35 | Week Five: Building a Routine | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 36 | Preparing for Your 6-Week Check | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 37 | Pelvic Floor and Core Strength | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 38 | Saunas and 40th-Day Bath Rituals | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 39 | What to Watch for After Day 40 | Recovery and day 40 |
| Day 40 | Day 40: The End of Postpartum | Recovery and day 40 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I breastfeed with mastitis?
Yes, carrying on breastfeeding is recommended; regularly draining the breast speeds recovery. Breast milk does not harm your baby when you have mastitis.
How do cracked nipples heal?
The most important step is making sure your baby latches well. Applying your own milk after feeds and letting your nipples air-dry helps; most cracks heal within a few days.
What are the symptoms of mastitis?
A red, hot, hard and painful area on the breast, fever, shivering and flu-like weakness are typical. If you have a fever, you need to see a doctor.
Postnatal care at SoftCare Clinic
Book an appointment with our specialist doctors for a postnatal check, breastfeeding problems, a stitch or wound check, or support with postnatal depression.
The information on this page is general guidance for an uncomplicated postpartum period and does not replace a medical examination. Heavy bleeding, fever, breathlessness, chest pain, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby are emergencies: call your local emergency number (999 / 911 / 112).
Medical content editor: Op. Dr. Şükrü Sanus