The Fourth Trimester: What Can You Expect From This Phase

By the end of your third trimester, when you must have been thinking that, you’re at the end of your pregnancy journey, you suddenly discover there is a “Fourth Trimester”. Now, are you fretting about the fact that you’ll have to keep the baby in your womb for three more weeks?

No! We believe it’s not that hard!

As far as the “Fourth Trimester” is concerned, it is the 12 weeks period of transition for both you and your newborn, after your baby’s birth. While your physical and emotional fluctuations might just begin as your postpartum symptoms, your newborn would just begin to adjust to his or her world outside your womb.

Why Is The Fourth Trimester Important For Your Baby?

Although the first 3 months of your newborn’s life are full of spit-ups and a blur of poop, many things are happening inside the budding curious minds, making your baby achieve the developmental milestones as he or she gradually grows up.

While it will take some time for your cuddly little one to smile or babble, you can do a lot for your baby during the 4^th trimester to support his or her development, in the meantime.

Feeding Plenty of Food to Your Newborn In the 4^th Trimester

Breastfeeding is undoubtedly the most cherished moment for both you and your baby in the 4^th trimester of your pregnancy. In the fourth trimester of your pregnancy, you might be breastfeeding, or giving your newborn a formula feed. According to ACOG, you should be breastfeeding your newborn exclusively till such time that he or she crosses the half-year mark (or 6 months). Feeding your little one may not just establish a deep emotional connection between you and your little one but also help your baby develop the body and immune system. This is an art that both of you need to learn together.

Lots of Sleep

Expect your newbie to sleep for at least 8 hours, up to 16 or 18 hours at a stretch. However, sometimes your newborn’s sleeping schedule is unpredictable. He or she might remain awake during the night, keeping you awake for the night feeds. It may not just be for the night feeds; your baby may feel fussy for many reasons – wet diapers or sickness. All you need to do is respond to the crying cues of your newborn, and include your partner to support you by changing your baby’s diaper or by giving you a message.

Sense Development

You’ll notice your newbie is born with the all-essential senses of sight, smell, and taste. In fact, your newborn’s senses continue to develop and improve during your pregnancy’s fourth trimester. That said, by the first three months of your baby’s life, you can expect your baby’s sight to develop fast. By the time your baby’s 3 months old, he or she wouldn’t have blurry vision after all. He or she would be able to see objects around him or her. Gradually, the newbie is going to be alert and will develop the ability to taste and smell.

Physical Development

Your new baby at birth is helpless and unable to move. However, your newly born little one has reflexes and responses and moves his or her head to reach out to your breasts. However, by the time your newborn is 3 months old, he or she will be able to push the forearms, and push his or her head up or keep it in position. Gradually, with time, all you can do is give your baby some tummy time to encourage your baby’s strength and movement.  

What Will You Do As A New Parent For Your Baby In The Fourth Trimester?

Since your newly born little one will require a lot of care and love during this time, you, as new parents, can help him or her out. Dr. Karp, a well–known paediatrician and author of “The Happiest Baby on the Block”, introduces 5 S to encourage you to help your little one out.

Swaddling The Baby

Sometimes restricting your baby’s arms and legs can immediately calm him down and even put him to sleep. However, you must remember, swaddling is temporary and you can stop it the moment your child starts rolling over.

Hold Your Little One On The Side or Stomach

Yes! Hold your little one on your side, or over your shoulder and put a little pressure on his or her tummy. This will calm down your fussy baby, and can even put your baby to sleep. 

Shush Your Baby

Your baby has been so habituated to the sound of your blood while being cuddled up inside your womb, that using the “shhhhh…” sound can create a comforting environment for him or her during bedtime. 

Put Your Little One In a Swing

To find out which rhythm will suit your newborn, use the cradle, sway gently, and make him or her sit on a glider. 

Suck

If you’re breastfeeding your little one, you might just have to wait for some weeks before giving him or her the pacifier to avoid nipple confusion in the baby.

However, your baby is different from the others in your neighbourhood or friends’ group. He or she may not like swaddling him or her or carrying him or her. If, by chance, your little one doesn’t like something, he or she will let you know. 

How Is The Fourth Trimester For You As A New Parent?

This trimester is not just for your newbie, you need to take care of yourself too during this time, as for a first–time mommy like you, we know that.

• Breastfeeding wouldn’t be that easy.
• You will be undergoing hormonal fluctuations, giving rise to postpartum depression and mood swings.
• In fact, not getting proper rest during the night is also a real thing. 

 In this case, here’s what you can do to help yourself out. 

• Try not to stress a lot. 
• Ask for help.
• Include your partner and let him share his duties with you.
• Engage in activities just to make yourself happy. You might strum a guitar, read a novel, or take a walk down the lane or your complex. 
• If your breasts are engorged, use breastfeeding pads to prevent leakage.
• Choose buttoned tops or blouses, so that your breasts are easily accessible to your little one
• Take enough rest.

All said and done, don’t forget to consult your baby’s paediatrician for anything that concerns him or her. Don’t even forget to consult your healthcare practitioner for anything that might trouble you healthwise during this time.

Along with this, follow our blog page to read about pregnancy, postpartum, baby care, and the benefits of cord blood banking.