Day 34 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 34 postpartum?
On day 34 postpartum your hair may not be falling out yet; postpartum hair loss usually starts at months 2–4 and is temporary. Hair that oestrogen held on to during pregnancy sheds all at once as hormones fall, returning to its usual thickness within 6–12 months. Stretch marks fade over time, and facial pigmentation usually lightens with sun protection.
Day 34 postpartum – animated guide
Day 34: 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
≈ 90 g
Milk
Mature milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
100 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
+19.2%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
6
Days until day 40
6 days
What’s happening in your body?
As pregnancy hormones fall, you may have phases of oily skin, spots or dryness. The dark line down the middle of your tummy (linea nigra) and patches on your face slowly lighten over months.
Your baby today
Small red spots (newborn acne) may appear on your baby’s skin due to oil glands; they clear by themselves, and there is no need to apply creams or squeeze them. If there are yellowish scales on their scalp (cradle cap), gently washing at bath time is enough.
Feeding and nutrition
A diet rich in protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins supports the recovery of hair and skin; don’t neglect eggs, pulses, meat and leafy greens. Rather than starting supplements yourself for hair loss, it is better to be checked for anaemia and thyroid problems.
Emotions and rest
Seeing hair gather in your brush can be upsetting; remember this is not permanent baldness and new hair is already growing. A short, easy-care haircut can make this phase easier.
Care and hygiene
Avoid tight ponytails and frequent blow-drying or straightening; a gentle shampoo is enough. Protect your face from the sun when you go out, and moisturising stretch marks eases itching.
Tips for today
- Use a wide-toothed comb and avoid combing your hair while it is wet
- Wear a hat and sunscreen on sunny days
- Ask your pharmacist about the ingredients of skincare products you use while breastfeeding
When to seek medical help
If hair loss comes with extreme tiredness, feeling cold, weight changes or palpitations, see your doctor to check your thyroid and for anaemia; patchy bald spots or itchy rashes should also be checked.
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 hair loss start after having a baby?
It usually starts 2–4 months after the birth. It lasts a few months, and hair mostly returns to its usual thickness within 6–12 months.
Do stretch marks go away after pregnancy?
Stretch marks don’t disappear completely, but over time they fade from red-purple to silvery white and become much less noticeable. Moisturiser eases itching.
Does pregnancy pigmentation go away?
Facial pigmentation (melasma) usually lightens in the months after birth. Sun protection speeds this up; for any that remains, you can discuss options with your doctor after 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