What to Expect in the First Week After Giving Birth

By the Serelle care team · 5 min read

The first week at home with a newborn is often the hardest and the least talked about. Here is what is normal, what to watch for, and what really helps.

Your body: what is normal

• Bleeding. Expect vaginal bleeding (lochia) that looks like a heavy period at first. It is bright red, then turns pink and brown over the following days and weeks. Use pads, not tampons.
• Cramping. “Afterpains” happen as your womb shrinks back. They are often stronger while feeding.
• Soreness. If you had a tear or stitches, or a caesarean, the area will be tender. Keep it clean and dry, and avoid lifting anything heavy.
• Your breasts. Your first milk (colostrum) is thick and golden. Your milk usually comes in around days three to five, and your breasts may feel full and tender. Frequent feeding eases this.
• Swelling, sweating and constipation. Swollen feet and night sweats are common. Drink plenty of water, eat fibre, and do not strain.

Healing takes time, and every birth is different. Be gentle with yourself, and do not compare your recovery with anyone else’s.

Your emotions

Many mothers feel tearful, anxious or easily overwhelmed in the first days. This is often called the “baby blues”. It tends to peak around days three to five and eases within about two weeks, as hormones settle and sleep improves.

If low mood, worry or hopelessness lasts longer than two weeks, gets worse, or stops you coping, speak to your doctor or midwife. If you ever have thoughts of harming yourself or your baby, seek help straight away. This is an illness, it is common, and it is treatable.

Your baby: what is normal

• Sleep and feeds. Newborns sleep about 16 hours a day in short stretches and feed 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.
• Nappies. Wet nappies increase each day, to six or more a day by day five or six. Stools change from black-green to yellow over the first four to five days.
• Weight. Babies often lose a little weight in the first days. Most are back to birth weight by about two weeks.
• Yellow skin. Mild jaundice is common around days two to five. Have it checked, and see a doctor if it deepens.
• The cord stump. It dries and falls off within one to three weeks. Keep it clean and dry.

When to call your doctor or go to hospital

For you:

• Fever of 38°C or higher
• Bleeding that soaks a pad in an hour, or large clots
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Severe headache or blurred vision
• Chest pain or trouble breathing
• One calf that is swollen, red or painful
• A wound that is red, swollen, leaking or opening
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby

For your baby:

• Fever of 38°C or higher
• Refusing feeds, or very sleepy and hard to wake
• Far fewer wet nappies than expected
• Fast or laboured breathing
• Yellow skin that deepens or spreads to the legs
• Redness, pus or a bad smell around the cord

When in doubt, call. You are never wasting anyone’s time.

What actually helps in week one

• Rest when the baby sleeps, even if the housework waits.
• Accept food and practical help, and ask visitors to wash their hands and keep visits short.
• Drink water and eat regular meals, especially if you are breastfeeding.
• Ask for feeding help early, from your midwife, a nurse or a lactation consultant.
• Plan who will help at night, so you can get longer stretches of sleep.

This is why many families arrange overnight care for the first weeks. When a trained nurse looks after the baby at night, you can sleep in long stretches and heal. If you would like to know more, see our care packages or message us on WhatsApp.

This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.