4th trimester

4th trimester.... Whatever That Is!!

Just when you thought you were done with trimesters when you had your baby, another one comes along. But the word "trimester" can also be used to describe the first three months after birth, from day one to the day your baby turns 3 months old.

In the fourth trimester, your tiny new born has just moved from the familiar snug as a bug warmth and safety of your dark womb to a bright environment full of unsettling new sights, sounds, smells, and sensations, as well as shifting temperatures.

This period of adjustment to the world outside your womb is a time of enormous change and development. There's so much for your little one to get started on, from refining and developing all her senses and controlling her reflexes to learning how to respond to you and your partner.

Womb to World Transition

To understand our newborns feelings we need to put ourselves in their place, to imagine experiencing their world – but which world? The world they have spent most of their life in, their ‘womb world’ or the world they are in now – our world. To fully appreciate the enormous transition they have made – a concept known to many as ‘The Fourth Trimester’ -some make the womb to world transition easily, others less so and it is this latter group in particular “the clingy babies” we can learn so much from through this concept.

Crying

Babies cry because it is their only means of communicating to their parents that they have a need to be met (and they will not stop crying until they get it), which can in turn make parent’s self-esteem and confidence go through the floor if nothing seems to work.

This is because they start wondering what they are doing wrong and if they are useless parents (they’re not). Giving your baby a fourth trimester can make for such a more enjoyable, soothing time for all involved.

Feed Me!

Weather you breastfeed your baby or not – on demand feeding is key not only to baby’s happiness but also to baby’s growth and well-being. Just like adults, baby’s calorie needs change from day to day; during growth spurts, babies will need to eat more and more frequently. Instead of counting ounces or watching the clock, learn to watch your baby for hunger cues. Don’t be surprised if your newborn wants to eat an hour or less after his or her last feed. Newborns have tiny tummies!  If you are breastfeeding, on demand feeding is crucial in the early weeks. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand business; nursing often is key to building a good breastmilk supply. Newborns are also notoriously slow and lazy nursers, they will get faster though! Just be patient.

Wearing Your Baby

This is where Dads can get involved; wearing your baby can recreate several conditions from when they were in the womb. Feeling tightly supported all over, close to mum’s heartbeat, warm and cosy. Its no wonder that this study has shown that wearing your baby results in up to 51% less crying and fussing: “At the time of peak crying (6 weeks of age), infants who received supplemental carrying cried and fussed 43% less overall, and 51% less during the evening hours (4 PM to midnight).”

Make sure you choose a safe and suitable baby carrier – front ‘pouch’ style and outwards facing carriers are not good for babies bodies, as they put weight on the baby’s spine and are not best for baby’s hip health (their legs tend to just hang from the carrier). I love the BABYBJÖRN baby carrier which is suitable from newborns. It’s so close and cosy that women can still feel pregnant when baby is in it! Other great carriers include the Ergo and Manduca, and many mothers swear by ring slings too. Be aware of buying cheap fakes/imitations which have started coming onto the market.