Day 5 postpartum
In short: what happens on day 5 postpartum?
On day 5 postpartum more than half of mothers have crying spells, irritability and mood swings for no clear reason. Known as the baby blues, this is linked to falling hormones and tiredness, peaks around days 3–5 and usually passes on its own within two weeks. Low mood lasting longer than two weeks should be assessed for postnatal depression.
Day 5 postpartum – animated guide
Day 5: 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
Milk comes in
Postnatal bleeding
Pinkish-brown (lochia serosa)
Womb
≈ 690 g
Milk
Transitional milk
Baby’s stomach (per feed)
38 ml
Baby’s weight (vs birth weight)
-6%
Wet nappies (24 hours)
5
Days until day 40
35 days
What’s happening in your body?
Bleeding now starts to change from red to pinkish-brown and gets lighter. The rapid fall in oestrogen and progesterone can cause night sweats and mood changes. Your womb has dropped to about halfway between your belly button and pubic bone.
Your baby today
The heel prick (newborn blood spot) test is usually done between days 3 and 5; a few drops of blood pick up certain inherited metabolic and hormonal conditions early. From day 5, poos become mustard-yellow and seedy. The cord stump has also started to dry and darken.
Feeding and nutrition
For your own health, try not to skip meals; keeping nuts, fruit and water within reach makes this easier. The oxytocin released during breastfeeding also helps you feel calmer.
Emotions and rest
Crying, feeling inadequate or being easily hurt does not mean you are not a good mother; talk to your partner or someone you trust, and take at least one short nap during the day.
Care and hygiene
Keep up your daily shower and pad changes; even a short shower can lift your mood. Short walks around the house support both your circulation and your spirits.
Tips for today
- Hand over housework and hosting guests to others this week
- Make time for small things that help: a hot drink, a favourite song or a short chat
- Find out in advance how you will be given the heel prick test results
When to seek medical help
See your doctor if low mood lasts more than two weeks, you can’t sleep even when your baby sleeps, or you can’t enjoy anything. Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, or hearing voices that aren’t there, are an emergency; get help immediately.
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 do the baby blues last?
They usually peak on days 3–5 after birth and pass on their own within two weeks. If symptoms last longer, be sure to speak to a professional.
What is the difference between the baby blues and postnatal depression?
The blues are mild and come and go, improving within two weeks. Depression is more intense, lasts longer than two weeks and makes daily life and bonding with your baby harder; it is treatable.
When is the heel prick test done?
Usually more than 48 hours after birth, most often between days 3 and 5. If it wasn’t done in hospital, your midwife or local health service can arrange it.
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