Day 25 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 25 postpartum?
On day 25 postpartum breastfeeding mothers can safely drink 2–3 cups of coffee a day, or the equivalent in tea; only a small amount of caffeine passes into milk. Most medicines are compatible with breastfeeding, but check each one with your doctor or pharmacist, mentioning that you are breastfeeding. Avoiding alcohol and smoking is the safest choice for your baby.
Day 25 postpartum – animated guide
Day 25: 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
≈ 150 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
86 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+11.8%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
15 days
What’s happening in your body?
Part of what you take in passes into your milk through your bloodstream; the amount is usually very small. But because a newborn’s liver and kidneys are immature, they clear these substances much more slowly than an adult. So in the first months, regular and high intake matters more than a single dose.
Your baby today
Your baby may react to too much caffeine with fussiness, difficulty settling and frequent waking. Babies exposed to cigarette smoke have a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), chest infections and middle ear infections.
Feeding and nutrition
As well as coffee, caffeine is found in strong tea, cola, energy drinks and dark chocolate; count your total for the day. Drink herbal teas in moderation too; some herbs are not considered safe while breastfeeding, so ask your doctor about any you are unsure of.
Emotions and rest
A quiet moment to yourself with a cup of coffee does you good too; enjoy it in moderation, without guilt.
Care and hygiene
Before taking over-the-counter painkillers, cold remedies or herbal supplements, always mention that you are breastfeeding; some decongestants can reduce your milk supply.
Tips for today
- Drink your coffee straight after a feed to allow time before the next one
- Switch to caffeine-free drinks in the evening
- If a family member smokes, ask them never to smoke in the house or car
When to seek medical help
If your baby seems unusually sleepy, floppy or reluctant to feed, or develops a rash after you take a medicine, tell your paediatrician and the prescribing doctor straight away.
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
Is it harmful to drink coffee while breastfeeding?
Not in moderation; keeping to no more than 2–3 cups a day is advised. If you notice your baby is unsettled, cut down.
Can a breastfeeding mother take painkillers?
Some commonly used painkillers are compatible with breastfeeding. Even so, check with your doctor or pharmacist which medicine to take and for how long.
Can I drink alcohol while breastfeeding?
Alcohol passes into breast milk and can affect your baby’s sleep and development. The safest option is not to drink alcohol while breastfeeding.
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