Month-by-Month Pregnancy & Postpartum Guide
5 Months Postpartum
Getting more into the swing of things!
By month 5 postpartum, you may feel like you and baby are settling into some semblance of a rhythm. When talking about life with an infant, it’s often best to think in terms of rhythm rather than strict routine. Rhythm leaves space for some flexibility, while routine is much more rigid.
Physically, you may begin feeling stronger and more like your "old self" again. Some of those common postpartum symptoms may be resolving as the hormonal changes begin to level out. If you are still feeling like you’re in the thick of recovery, remind yourself that your body has changed. Be gentle with yourself. Your body has grown a human—there may be physical signs like scarring, weight gain, loose pelvic floor muscles, vaginal dryness, and postpartum hair loss (both related to low levels of estrogen). You are still the amazing person that you always were, just with some new life experiences under your belt—or maternity pants, because why get rid of them?!
How’s Breastfeeding or Pumping Going?
Breastfeeding and/or pumping may be well established by 5 months postpartum. Your baby’s latching is probably very efficient by this point and may even latch for just 5 to 10 minutes at a time. As always, watch how your baby is latching, weight gain, diaper output, and contentment after feeds.
Maybe you have been back to work for a few weeks or even a couple of months by now. In this scenario you may be very accustomed to pumping occasionally or even frequently. Remember that, especially at this phase of milk production, milk production works on a supply-and-demand basis. That means that the more milk that is removed, the more your body is going to make. Think of it like your cup of water at a restaurant. The more water you drink and the more often your cup is empty—the more your server is going to refill your cup!
Remember that life with a little one is very dynamic. Just when you think everything is all figured out, something changes up on you. Here are some common breastfeeding and pumping challenges to keep an eye out for as your baby grows. Please always reach out to a lactation consultant for support when needed!
Breastfeeding challenges:
Distraction while feeding
- As babies get older, they start to explore the world around them more and more. This exploration can even come at less than opportune times, like during breastfeeding. You may notice baby will latch for a few seconds and then suddenly pop off because the dog barked or the ceiling fan caught her eye. Now you find yourself covered in milk with a baby that still needs to be fed. Ways to manage this include feeding in low-stimulation environments and allowing baby to cluster feed when you’re at home to make up for missed feedings while out-and-about.
Teething
- As those baby teeth begin to erupt, baby will likely start drooling and wanting to gnaw on anything within arm’s reach. This can sometimes impact breastfeeding if baby starts to use you as a teether. If baby does clamp down onto your nipple in an effort to soothe his or her gums, firmly state no and remove from the breast. This clear, calm response usually discourages the behavior.
Increased Mobility
- Five month old babies are exploring their motor skills, sometimes even while at the breast. Some call this breast gymnastics—baby is flailing and moving all about while you are trying to calmly sit and feed him or her.
Nursing Strikes
- A nursing strike, or breastfeeding strike, happens when baby suddenly refuses to breastfeed. It is often accompanied by fussiness and pulling away from the breast. Some things to try to get baby back to the breast include skin-to-skin contact, offering the breast when baby is sleepy, minimizing distractions while feeding, and movement during breastfeeding (rocking in a chair or bouncing on an exercise ball).
Pumping challenges:
Flow Preference
- Flow preference can sometimes be an issue related to bottle feeding. Milk comes more quickly from a bottle nipple than it does from the breast, which can sometimes lead to a preference for the bottle. Paced bottle feeding and a slow flow nipple can help to decrease the risk of flow preference.
Decreased Milk Supply
- Decreased milk supply can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes with pumping, it is related to not enough pumping sessions, especially while separated from baby at work. It is important to work with a lactation consultant if you are experiencing low milk supply for support.
Nipple Soreness
- Nipple soreness can be experienced with pumping and is often related to incorrect flange fit or improper pump settings. Check out our How to Fit Your Flange guide class for information on how to measure your best fit!
Your Changing Hormone Levels
Hormones don’t return to pre-pregnancy levels on the same timeline for everyone, but they often move back toward baseline sometime between about 3–6 months postpartum.
What’s Your Body Doing at 5 Months Postpartum?
Your body has come such a long way in the journey toward physical recovery by 5 months postpartum. Much of the initial physical healing has occurred and your hormones are continuing to stabilize. Think of yourself like a caterpillar that has undergone an amazing metamorphosis to become a beautiful butterfly! You may find yourself wishing that your body would just go back to normal, the way you were pre-baby, before your metamorphosis. This is a time to be gentle on your healing body and to offer gratitude for all of the amazing work and support it has provided for you and your baby.
Some physical symptoms of recovery, which are usually temporary as your body continues to heal, could include:
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Postpartum hair loss
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Skin changes including dryness
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Vaginal dryness
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Lingering pregnancy weight
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Pelvic floor issues, like incontinence
Reach out for support from your healthcare provider if any of these symptoms are disrupting your day-to-day life.
What’s Your Baby Doing at 5 Months Old?
At 5 months old your baby has already grown so much since you first laid eyes on him or her. There is likely so much activity taking place in your life! Whether you are a new parent or you have other kiddos at home, every experience with this baby is brand new!
Here is a list of some of the developmental changes you may notice:
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Your baby is likely rolling over by now! Back-to-front, front-to-back, or both
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Sitting with support—your little one has gained good head and neck control and is working toward sitting unassisted
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Reaching for toys (or more likely that piece of fuzz on the carpet), using that raking grasp and developing a more coordinated grasp
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Becoming more communicative—cooing, laughing, babbling, and responding to your voice and sounds in the environment
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Potentially sleeping a longer stretch during the night (it is also normal if your baby is still waking to breastfeed multiple times throughout the night)
Things to Do During Month 5 Postpartum
1. Think about when and how to introduce solids
- Typically recommended around 6 months—check out our class Solid Foods for the Breastfed Baby!
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Schedule an appointment with your lactation consultant to discuss breastfeeding while introducing solid foods.
2. Attend any routine checkups
- This might include routine pediatric checkups or a well visit for yourself.
3. Continue to nurture your baby’s development
- Chat with your baby, read books, sing songs, go for walks together!
4. Maintain a steady, balanced diet
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If you’re breastfeeding, remember to drink plenty of water and focus on eating balanced, nourishing meal.
We created a handy, downloadable checklist that includes the key things to do or think about this month. Simply download, save it on your phone, and bring it up whenever you need a reminder!
Wrap-Up
At five months postpartum, you may feel like you’ve settled into a good rhythm with your baby. You may also begin to notice changes in your breastfeeding experience as baby continues to grow and develop. We always encourage moms to reach out to a lactation consultant for support, even once breastfeeding is well-established.
FAQs
Is it normal to feel overwhelmed or struggle emotionally 5 months after giving birth?
It can be very common to feel overwhelmed or to struggle emotionally 5 months after giving birth. You are going through, arguably, one of life's biggest transitions. You may be experiencing a shift in identity—maybe even grieving the life you knew or finding settling into this new normal a bit difficult. It is likely that your postpartum hormones have leveled off by now, but there can be some lingering hormonal fluctuations. Sometimes postpartum mood disorders can have a delayed onset. Physical recovery from birth and navigating the care of a newborn may occupy much of your mind and thoughts, and now that the dust has begun to settle, new feelings and emotions may be popping up for you.
If you notice any signs or symptoms of postpartum mood disorders, please reach out for support. There are many places to get the help you need—your healthcare provider is a great place to start! Postpartum Support International is another great resource to find the help you need. Support people—sometimes it's easier for you to notice these signs and symptoms even before mom does. You are a huge advocate and it would be important for you to communicate concerns with open and kind dialogue.
How can I cope with hair loss at 5 months postpartum?
Postpartum hair loss can feel stressful! It is completely normal though as your hormone levels stabilize. Ways to cope with this include gentle hair care and good nutrition. Try to avoid high levels of heat or very tight hair styles that pull on your follicles. This could also include washing your hair every other day versus daily and using products like dry shampoo to manage excess oil. Limit harsh chemicals and dyes that could be damaging to your hair. For nutrition, you want to focus on a balanced and well-rounded diet rich in nutrients like iron and B vitamins. Continue taking a prenatal or switch over to a postnatal vitamin. This vitamin will help to support breastfeeding and also will bridge the gap between nutritional needs and what you may be getting through your diet alone.
What are recommended ways to support recovery at 5 months postpartum?
Recommended ways to support recovery at 5 months postpartum include prioritizing rest, nourishing your body with nutrient dense meals and snacks, ensuring adequate hydration throughout the day, partaking in some form of exercise daily, and taking steps to protect your mental health.
Is it common to experience relationship changes 5 months postpartum?
It can be common to experience relationship changes around 5 months postpartum. There are many shifting parts in your life—navigating a new role as parent, maybe you have returned to work, the demands of an infant and what that may mean for physical touch. All of these things can impact relationships, especially with an intimate partner. Often your touch tank is filled up by your little one, which doesn't leave much space for your partner. This can sometimes lead to feelings of hurt or frustration. Open communication is especially important during this time. Sharing feelings in an honest and respectful way can act as glue—bringing the two of you closer together as you learn more about each other—instead of division.
What complications should I watch for 5 months postpartum?
Complications to look out for at 5 months postpartum include difficulty breathing, severe headache that does not resolve with over-the-counter methods, heavy vaginal bleeding, signs of infection like fever, and worsening depression or anxiety.
How long does it usually take to fully recover after childbirth?
Full recovery after childbirth can vary from one person to the next and can also differ based on your birth experience and a variety of other factors, whether vaginal or cesarean, etc. While you may be medically cleared for other activities after your 6-week postpartum appointment, it can often take much longer to feel fully healed, both physically and mentally, from birth. This time frame can look like 6 months to one year, and sometimes even up to two years for some.
What happens to hormones 5 months postpartum?
At 5 months postpartum, your hormones are typically starting to level out. Now, if you are exclusively breastfeeding, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will still remain elevated which can prolong full balancing of hormones and have the potential for mood swings.
Why is my belly so big 5 months postpartum?
It is very normal for your belly to still appear big at 5 months postpartum. This may be related to weight gain during pregnancy, water retention, diastasis recti (abdominal muscle separation), or loose skin. Remember that full recovery from pregnancy and birth can take some time—up to a year or even more for some people. Focus on gentle activity and exercise, daily hydration, and a nutrient-dense diet. Consult with a physical therapist if you have concerns about muscle separation from diastasis recti.
At what point are you no longer postpartum?
While some describe that postpartum period, or "fourth trimester", as the 6-12 weeks after having your baby, many report that it can take much longer to feel back to "normal.” Try not to feel rushed to "bounce back," as is often the case.
Technically speaking, postpartum means the time after childbirth. In that sense, the postpartum period does not have a definitive ending point, but is actually the beginning of a new era!
Helpful Resources
Solids for the Breastfed Baby Class
Learn how to recognize readiness for solids, explore baby-led and parent-led feeding approaches, and how to maintain milk supply.
Starting Solids and Baby Led Weaning Care Guide
Curious about starting solids while breastfeeding? This guide will walk you through when and how to start, readiness cues, and feeding practices that support your baby’s nutrition and development.
Pumping Room Facebook Group
Connect with other moms and our knowledgeable lactation providers in our Pumping Room Facebook group.
Qualify for Motherhood Essentials through Insurance
You can qualify for a breast pump at any time during pregnancy and up to one-year postpartum. See if you qualify for a pump, pregnancy & breastfeeding classes, milk storage bags and more through your insurance or log in to check on your account details.
