Pregnancy has three trimesters, but newborn babies are so small and vulnerable that for them, the first few months of life outside the womb are truly a \u201c4th trimester\u201d of pregnancy. For new moms, welcome to the 4th trimester of motherhood! These early days with your new baby are some of the most beautiful and precious of your life together. It\u2019s all about focusing on your new baby, breastfeeding, and bonding.<\/p>\n
The first 12 weeks with a newborn can be some of the most exciting and wonderful \u2013 and also tiring and challenging! Both mom and baby are making huge transitions as they learn from each other, and grow together on a physical, emotional and psychological level.<\/p>\n
It is important during the fourth trimester to help babies make a gentle adjustment to their new world outside the womb. This can make a huge difference to how the baby feels and reacts to everyday events and stimuli. It shapes how moms and dads cope with the new rhythms and realities of parenthood.<\/p>\n
Think about it from the perspective of a newborn baby. In the 40 weeks since conception, they have spent every moment in a warm and nurturing environment where every need was attended to. Now, in the world outside the womb, they are adjusting to a more varied and sometimes startling world of sound, color and stimulation. It is even thought that colicky babies cry from being overstimulated. This is just one example of how life in the fourth trimester can present new adjustments for mothers and babies alike.<\/p>\n
Here are five ideas for how to enjoy the fourth trimester together with your baby:<\/p>\n
In the fourth trimester, it is helpful to make the baby\u2019s everyday experience feel as \u201cwomb-like\u201d as possible. Wear your baby in a sling, wrap or baby-carrier to help mimic the feeling and movement of being in the womb. Babies often prefer to be carried this way so they can feel closely snuggled up to their mother\u2019s body. It\u2019s a familiar and comfortable sensation for the baby.<\/p>\n
During breastfeeding, try doing as much skin-to-skin contact as possible. This helps the baby\u2019s senses feel calm and soothed. Holding the baby close to the mother\u2019s hear is also important since the mother’s heartbeat is a familiar sensation from the womb. Another way to help the baby feel womblike again is to take baths together \u2013 the warmth and water vibrations will remind the baby of being in the womb. Life in the womb was full of motion, so get moving. Take a walk, push a stroller, or drive in the car. Many babies will fall asleep more easily if they are riding in a car seat or in a baby carrier or even just being held on mom or dad\u2019s chest while quietly pacing through the house.<\/p>\n
Latching is easier if everyone is relaxed, and latching is key to successful breastfeeding so doing as much as possible to re-create the womb environment can also help facilitate a positive breastfeeding experience.<\/p>\n
The arrival of a new baby is a huge life transition, and it all happens overnight. You need time to cope, so take it slow and lower your expectations about yourself. You will not \u201cget it\u201d all and that’s ok. Just do the best you can, one day at a time. However, this doesn\u2019t mean you have to tiptoe totally around the baby \u2013 lower the sound levels and lights in the house, but don\u2019t make a big effort to stay quiet during the day.<\/p>\n
Practice routines, not schedules and perhaps create a breastfeeding sanctuary. Also, be prepared to adjust as you go \u2013 figure out what works for your baby to help them stay calm and peaceful. Try swaddling your baby \u2013 it works for a lot of babies to feel safe and secure.<\/p>\n
The fourth trimester is the time to get started with breastfeeding. This is a critical opportunity to bond and enrich the baby\u2019s health and nutrition with the minerals, micronutrients and immunity boosters that are part of \u201cnature\u2019s perfect baby food.\u201d<\/p>\n
Keep in mind that with breastfeeding, there is no \u201cnormal.\u201d It\u2019s not unusual for newborns to nurse every 2-3 hours around the clock until they regain their birth weight. It might seem tiring at first, but it\u2019s important to keep breastfeeding the baby whenever they want to nurse \u2013 this is known as \u201cfeed on demand\u201d breastfeeding.<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t worry about \u201crunning out of milk!\u201d Breastfeeding works based on demand and supply \u2013 the more breastmilk your baby demands, the more your breasts will make! So keep it going.<\/p>\n
Also, don\u2019t be afraid to ask for help \u2013 there is lots of breastfeeding support that you can get online, in the community and from your partner and friends.<\/p>\n
It might sound like the last thing on your mind, but as a new mom, you need to make a strong and conscious effort to take care of yourself too.<\/p>\n
Learn to love your new body. A new mother\u2019s body is gradually returning to its normal shape \u2013 don\u2019t worry about stretch marks or a soft belly! Internal organs that moved around during pregnancy will soon shift and return to their place.<\/p>\n
Try to enjoy the daily rhythms of life with a newborn, and don\u2019t be too hard on yourself. Taking care of this little child right now in this moment is the most important work of your life.<\/p>\n
Take care of your breasts. There are a few things you can do throughout the breastfeeding journey to keep your breasts feeling good and healthy, avoiding sore or cracked nipples.<\/p>\n
Let go of all expectations about sleep and schedules and follow the advice to sleep when baby sleeps \u2013 seriously! Getting enough rest should be one of your very top priorities. Keep in mind that as a new mom, your hormones are still unpredictable. Don\u2019t worry about skin breakouts, dry hair, or moments of frustration or ill temper. No one is judging \u2013 least of all, your beautiful baby!<\/p>\n
Just go with the flow \u2013 don\u2019t stress about making mistakes. Every day with a newborn is a huge learning experience as you build a relationship with this new amazing person in your life. Praise yourself when you do great \u2013 keep a positive attitude \u2013 make it fun, and remember to laugh every day.<\/p>\n
Minimize your external obligations and time commitments. Don\u2019t make promises to yourself or others that you can\u2019t keep \u2013 don\u2019t travel if you can help it. Ask friends and family members to visit you instead of the other way around.<\/p>\n
Most of all, be sure to ask for help: from your partner, family, friends, and professionals like lactation consultants (if needed). In a way the fourth trimester requires the same type of self-care as still being pregnant \u2013 take care of yourself, eat nutritious foods, dress comfortably, and get as much sleep as you possibly can.<\/p>\n
Just like every marriage has a \u201choneymoon,\u201d every newborn baby and mother should hopefully get to enjoy a \u201cbabymoon\u201d phase of spending lots of time together and getting to know each other. Don\u2019t worry about schedules and get rid of your expectations \u2013 instead, just spend time with the baby and enjoy this first 12 weeks \u2013 it will come and go so quickly, and you\u2019ll be amazed at how far you and the baby have come!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pregnancy has three trimesters, but newborn babies are so small and vulnerable that for them, the first few months of life outside the womb are truly a \u201c4th trimester\u201d of pregnancy. For new moms, welcome to the 4th trimester of motherhood! These early days with your new baby are some of the most beautiful and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n