Day 21 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 21 postpartum?
On day 21 postpartum many babies go through the three-week growth spurt: for a few days they want to feed almost hourly and may seem unsettled. This doesn’t mean your milk is drying up; frequent feeding boosts supply. At least 6 wet nappies a day, regular yellow poos and weekly weight gain show your baby is getting enough.
Day 21 postpartum – animated guide
Day 21: 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
≈ 200 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
80 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+8.5%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
19 days
What’s happening in your body?
Your womb has shrunk to below about 300 g and can no longer be felt through your tummy. Postnatal bleeding continues as a lessening yellowish-white discharge; on days of frequent feeding you may notice mild cramps or a brief increase in discharge. Your supply is moving to mature milk and adjusting to your baby’s demand.
Your baby today
Your baby is 3 weeks old and should be well past their birth weight, gaining about 150–200 g a week. A growth spurt usually lasts 2–3 days; during it they may wake more often, come off the breast quickly and then want it again straight away. Once it passes, feeding settles back into its old rhythm by itself.
Feeding and nutrition
During a growth spurt, watch your baby’s hunger cues (sucking their hands, rooting, lip-smacking) rather than the clock, and feed whenever they ask; adding formula or water in between lowers your supply. Keep a glass of water and an easy snack beside you while feeding.
Emotions and rest
A baby who is constantly at the breast can leave you feeling ‘I can’t keep up’; this feeling is very common and does not mean your milk is insufficient. On growth-spurt days, give yourself permission to let housework wait and rest with your baby.
Care and hygiene
Frequent feeding can make your nipples tender; after feeds, rub a few drops of milk onto your nipples, let them air-dry and choose a breathable cotton bra.
Tips for today
- Reassure yourself by noting wet and dirty nappies for one day
- Set up your feeding spot with water, snacks and a phone charger
- Put off having visitors for a few days during the growth spurt
When to seek medical help
See a paediatrician without delay if your baby has fewer than 6 wet nappies a day, dark urine, is very sleepy and doesn’t wake for feeds, or is not gaining weight.
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
How long does a growth spurt last?
Usually 2–3 days, sometimes nearly a week. Your baby feeds more often during this time, and then their feeding pattern calms down again.
If my baby feeds constantly, does that mean I don’t have enough milk?
Frequent feeding alone is not a sign of low supply. If there are enough wet nappies, regular poos and weight gain, your baby is getting enough.
Do I need to top up with formula during a growth spurt?
Usually not; extra formula can mean less stimulation of the breast and a drop in supply. If weight gain is poor, the decision should be made with your paediatrician.
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