Day 31 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 31 postpartum?
On day 31 postpartum there is no need to rush weight loss. About 5–6 kg goes by itself straight after the birth; the rest comes off slowly, at around 0.5 kg a week. While breastfeeding, calorie-restricting diets can reduce your milk supply and energy; balanced eating, enough fluids and regular walks are the healthiest approach.
Day 31 postpartum – animated guide
Day 31: 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
Recovery and day 40
Postnatal bleeding
Yellowish-white (lochia alba)
Womb
≈ 110 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
95 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+16.2%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
9 days
What’s happening in your body?
Your womb is about to drop below 100 g, and much of the swelling in your tummy has gone as the fluid stored in pregnancy has been shed. Softness and slight looseness around your tummy improve over months as the muscles recover; this happens at a different pace for everyone.
Your baby today
Your baby has stepped into their second month and continues to gain about 150–200 g a week. Awake times are getting longer, and they watch your voice and face more attentively.
Feeding and nutrition
A breastfeeding mother uses about 450–500 kcal a day on top of her usual needs, so choose regular meals of protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruit rather than skipping meals. Filling snacks such as yoghurt, nuts or fruit, instead of sugary drinks and packaged snacks, balance both weight and energy.
Emotions and rest
You may feel pressure to make your body look like it used to straight away; yet this body grew a baby for nine months. Allowing yourself as long to recover as your pregnancy lasted is a realistic approach.
Care and hygiene
If you want to track your weight, weighing yourself once a week at the same time is enough; daily fluctuations are misleading. Gradually lengthen your walks and leave intense exercise until after the 6-week check.
Tips for today
- Keep a glass of water beside you while feeding
- Get into the habit of filling half your plate with vegetables
- Plan daily 20–30-minute walks with the pram
When to seek medical help
See your doctor if you notice rapid, unintended weight loss despite eating well, extreme tiredness, palpitations or trembling; these can point to a thyroid problem or anaemia.
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
When does baby weight come off after birth?
About 5–6 kg goes by itself within the first week. The remaining weight usually comes off gradually over 6–12 months with balanced eating and activity.
Can I diet while breastfeeding?
Strict calorie-restricting diets are not recommended while breastfeeding; they can affect your milk supply and energy. Paying attention to portions and food quality is enough.
Does breastfeeding help you lose weight?
Breastfeeding uses about 450–500 kcal a day and helps many mothers lose weight. But because appetite increases too, the effect varies from person to person.
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