4th Trimester- Baby Love!
Okay, guys – so we talked last about how the 4th trimester (0-12 weeks postpartum) is a relatively new concept that helps describe what new (or veteran) moms make once baby has moved into the world. We went over how the mental, emotional, and physical changes that moms experience is called “matrescence” – and how to better navigate this transition.
But the 4th trimester also includes your baby’s adjustment into this crazy, colorful world! Dr. Antony Karp is credited with creating the concept of the 4th trimester. He posts that full-term babies are born three months too early relative to other mammals. This is possibly so that the head can fit through the birth canal. But, the flip side is that your baby’s nervous system is not yet fully developed – and has a hard time handling life outside a quiet, safe womb.
When a baby is born, there are a series of reflexes designed to keep them safe and alive: things like the startle reflex, the suck reflex, and the rooting reflex. This is because they’re senses are not fully developed. A.K.A. ->> they can see, but that vision is blurred; they can hear, but do not yet understand what the sounds mean.
This is where you can help: the more interaction you have with your baby, the more that neurological system begins to develop. Touch and communication help the brain build pathways for how to navigate life outside the womb. You’ll notice that as you get to the end of the 4th trimester, your baby becomes more *intentional* and less *automatic*. You may notice that your baby:
Breathes more steadily and startles less
Has learned to self-soothe
Intentionally grasps for toys or your finger
Settle into a feeding and sleeping routine
So how can parents help their baby successfully navigate the 4th trimester?
Crying
You will become an expert interpreter, learning to decode your baby’s cries. Babies cry the most in the first 3 months of life. This is how they communicate in a very scary, overwhelming world. The best thing you can do is see to their needs immediately. You won’t spoil your baby by giving them immediate attention. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), they’ll probably cry less overall.
Sleeping
Newborns will sleep up to 16-17 hours per day. Unfortunately, this is not all at the same time and for shorter durations. After the first couple of weeks, you can work to establish a sleeping routine with babies as young as 1 month old. It is also important to help them distinguish between night and day by keeping your house full of light and activity during the day – and quiet and dark at night.
Feeding
Babies will eat a lot in their first few months of life – and go through some massive growth spurts. The AAP recommends responsive feeding, e.g. feeding your baby when hungry as opposed to a set schedule. This helps your baby develop healthy eating habits and learn to feed themselves. Your body will also learn when to breast produce milk.
The 5 S’s
When in doubt, you can always go by the 5 S’s:
Swaddling to help with a sense of safety and maybe even to get to sleep
Side or stomach positioning with a gentle pressure on their tummy to help with fussiness (though a baby should always be placed on their back for sleep!)
Shushing helps recreate the sound of momma’s blood flow while in the wound – can be replicated with a white noise machine
Swing your baby yourself or use a gentle rocker
Sucking on a pacifier helps baby to calm down and learn to self-soothe
So! Overall, the fourth trimester is all about adjustment and flexibility – both on you and your baby’s part. It is all about being forgiving with yourself and knowing that the fourth trimester serves a purpose – and it is all temporary!
<3 The Recharged Performance Therapy Team
References
https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/4th-trimester
https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-is-the-fourth-trimester
https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-fourth-trimester-what-you-should-know-2019071617314