You’ve just given birth - and whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, nothing quite prepares you for the whirlwind of the first week postpartum. It's a time of healing, feeding, learning, adjusting, and above all - feeling.
Your body is recovering from an incredible physical event, your hormones are shifting, and your baby is learning to live outside the womb. It’s a lot, all at once and that’s why it’s important to go gently. This guide is here to walk you through what to expect in the first week after giving birth, from postpartum bleeding and feeding to emotional support and newborn care.
Your Postpartum Body: What’s Normal in Week One?
Your body has just done something powerful. Now it needs time to rest, repair, and reset. Here's what to expect physically during the first week after giving birth:
Vaginal Birth Recovery
- Bleeding (lochia): You’ll likely bleed heavily for the first few days. This bleeding is your body’s way of shedding the uterine lining and can last up to 6 weeks. It starts bright red, then fades to pink, brown, and eventually yellow-white. Keep protected with our super-soft Maternity Pads.
- Perineal soreness: If you’ve had stitches, grazes, or swelling, it may be uncomfortable to sit or wee. Use a peri bottle while urinating and pat gently to dry.
- Afterpains: These are cramp-like sensations as your uterus shrinks back down. They can feel stronger during breastfeeding due to oxytocin release.
C-Section Recovery
- Incision discomfort: You may feel pain, tightness, or numbness around your scar. Try to avoid lifting or twisting, and take pain relief as prescribed. Lansinoh C-section Hydrogel Pads can be of great help after 10 days postpartum if you feel you need some extra support.
- Mobility: Getting up and moving might feel daunting, but light activity like standing or walking short distances helps with circulation and healing.
- Bleeding: Even after a C-section, you’ll still experience lochia, just as with a vaginal birth.
Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding in the Early Days
Feeding your newborn is a round-the-clock task, and it’s perfectly normal to feel unsure in the first few days.
Breastfeeding in Week One
- Your body produces colostrum, the golden, nutrient-dense milk perfect for baby’s first feeds.
- Your milk typically “comes in” around day 3–5, leading to full, firm breasts.
- You may feed 8–12 times in 24 hours, and that’s completely normal.
- Expect cluster feeding—especially in the evening or at night.
Painful latch or sore nipples? You’re not doing anything wrong. Ask your midwife, lactation consultant, or health visitor for help - support makes a huge difference. While you’re working with your baby to find the right latch – our breastfeeding range can help ease discomfort and soothe & protect your sore nipples.
Bottle Feeding and Combination Feeding
- Feed based on hunger cues - rooting, sucking hands, or lip-smacking.
- Sterilise bottles and teats thoroughly before each use.
- Hold baby close and alternate arms to support bonding.
Feeding choices are personal. You are doing brilliantly - whichever way you feed.
Your Baby in the First Week
Newborns don’t come with manuals, but understanding what’s normal can really help ease your mind:
- Weight loss: It’s normal for babies to lose up to 10% of birth weight in the first few days.
- Sleeping patterns: Expect irregular naps and wakeful nights. Newborns often sleep 14–17 hours a day, but in short bursts.
- Crying: This is how they communicate. Crying can mean hunger, discomfort, tiredness, or just needing cuddles.
- Nappies: Your baby’s first few poos will be thick, black meconium, then gradually change to green and then mustard yellow if breastfed. Your baby should have at least one wet nappy on day one, increasing to two on day two and will then follow this pattern until day six. From day six your baby should continue to have six wet nappies per day.
You’ll receive a newborn physical exam within 72 hours, and your midwife will also carry out regular checks for the first 5–10 days.
Emotions, Hormones, and the “Baby Blues”
Around days 3–5, many new parents experience the baby blues. You may feel:
- Tearful for no clear reason
- Irritable, anxious, or overwhelmed
- Emotionally flat despite loving your baby
This is normal and usually passes within a week. It’s caused by hormonal shifts, sleep deprivation, and the sheer scale of what you’ve just been through.
But if you feel persistently low, detached from your baby, or hopeless, you could be experiencing postnatal depression. Please speak to your GP or health visitor. Support is available and recovery is absolutely possible.
Sleep (or Lack of It)
Sleep deprivation is a huge challenge in the early days. To protect your mental health and healing:
- Nap when you can - even if it’s 20 minutes.
- Keep your expectations low - your only job is to rest, feed, and bond.
- Ask for help when you need it.
You matter just as much as your baby. Prioritise rest wherever possible.
Caring for Your Mental Health
Caring for a baby while recovering from birth is no small feat. Check in with yourself regularly:
- Are you eating enough?
- Drinking water?
- Getting any fresh air?
- Have you spoken to another adult today?
Self-care can be small but powerful. You deserve support, and it’s okay to ask for it.
Midwife’s Top Tips
- Don’t worry if feeding feels tricky - it’s a learned skill for both of you. Access support early on.
- Use maternity pads, not tampons, during bleeding to reduce infection risk.
- Watch for signs of infection: fever, heavy bleeding, or wound discomfort.
- Trust your instincts - you know your baby better than anyone.
- Your feelings are valid - please speak up if you need emotional support.
The first week after birth is raw, beautiful, chaotic, and full of learning curves. You are navigating one of life’s biggest transitions - not just physically, but emotionally and mentally.
Take it one feed, one cuddle, one hour at a time. You don’t need to have all the answers.
