Tips for Surviving the Fourth Trimester
There is a lot of information out there about birth. But what about when baby is here?
I have chatted to local Mum’s about their experiences and any nuggets of wisdom they wished they had known, or advice would like to share.
I could say finding a local Class, where you can find your community, find support, education and have fun is the best advice (You can find your local Julie Keys classes HERE). BUT that is just a small part of the journey you are on.
Starting with the 4th Trimester.
This is a non-medical term used to describe that first 12 weeks after birth. That transition for baby from womb to world. Your baby has spent 9 or so months in an environment of warmth, constant nutrition, movement and hearing mum’s heartbeat. Then they are born and experience an overload of sensory elements, the feeling of hunger, tiredness, coldness, and even the audacity of being put down.
We can help our babies gently adjust to being outside the womb by educating ourselves on the fourth Trimester, understanding that what we are experiencing is part of baby’s development, and we can aide this.
Your baby is completely dependant on you and when their needs aren’t met they will let you know. This may seem daunting, but you are not alone. So much of what we learn as parents we learn on the job so to speak.
So how can you help your newborn in those early weeks?
Accept and educate yourself on the 4th Trimester, knowing that you can’t ‘spoil’ your baby by holding them too much and meeting all their needs. Even if that means there are days when you haven’t made it out of your pyjama’s, that’s okay, just getting through certain days can be taken as a win!
During this time you are looking to recreate the feeling of being in the womb for your baby. Starting with lots of skin-to-skin, helping baby regulate their temperature, giving them reassurance, lowering their cortisol levels & stimulating the production of oxytocin to aide breastfeeding, if that is the journey you are taking.
Feeding on demand is key to growth and wellbeing. Reach out for support during those early weeks if needed, as this can play an important role in your feeding journey.
If you are breastfeeding, cluster feeding is real, and comes as a shock to the system. There will be days where you spend all of your time feeding your baby. This is normal, but can be draining so make sure your needs are being met.
When baby is not feeding there is a high chance that they will have found their spot for a sleep is on you, listening to your heartbeat, this calm be a soothing sound for baby as they have heard it 24 hours a day whilst in utero. Contact napping is a favourite, the choice is yours about what to do in this situation, you can attempt to put them down, pop them in a baby carrier, or you can get comfy, enjoy the cuddles and binge watch Netflix surrounded by snacks and the remote control.
Babies love movement and being carried. So why not break out the sling/carrier and dance about your living room. It has also been know for Mums to be doing squats at 2am with baby in arms.
Finally there is a technique called The 5 S’s (Dr Harvey Karp) which can help take babies back to the womb, therefore helping them to settle.
Use these 5 Techniques to trigger babies “off” switch
Swaddling - A confined space can take baby back to the womb as they were confined when inside. They are not yet aware that their limbs belong to them so flailing arms and legs can upset many babies and by swaddling it can help baby to calm.
Side/Stomach Position - A side lying position does not invoke the startle reflex which can make babies feel like they are falling so when taking baby into this position take care to lie them on their side facing away from you. Away facing as they will focus on a face and can struggle to switch off
Shushing - Replicates the sound of the blood flow surrounding baby in the womb and can be very calming for baby. Many families use an app or Spotify for these or your mouth works just as well as any.
Swaying/walking - In pregnancy baby tends to be calm and relaxed and sleeps whilst inside if you are on the move so having a wee sway or walk with baby in the side lying position can really help
Sucking - Lastly if baby is still unsettled after the previous four techniques, our last point of call is the sucking reflex. Using a clean finger or a dummy it can help soothe baby alongside the rest of these calming techniques.
These techniques are taught to our new mums attending Tinies baby massage classes to help them settle babies when they are restless or just need to “switch off”. Remember to check first for wind, dirty nappies, if they are needing fed or reflux as baby may not settle if baby is uncomfortable for any of these reasons.
Some final tips for new parents are:
*Trust your own instincts
*Set Boundaries (visitors, holding etc)
*Accept help, even if it is just a cuppa
*Allow yourself to Feel!! The good and the bad.
*Know that every single baby is different, so don’t compare!
*Self Care is Important, fresh air will make you feel better.
*Make memories, they don’t need to be perfect.
You can find your local Julie Keys Bumps & Babies classes throughout the Lanarkshire at https://www.juliekeysbumpbirthandbaby.com/ourclasses
Written by Dawn Young