The Fourth Trimester

We had the wonderful opportunity of having Andria Bell of Bells Babies write a post for us about the fourth trimester. There is a fourth trimester? There sure is, read below to hear what Andria had to say about such an important time in your baby’s life.

The first three months can be a tough time for parents. Especially first time around, why is my baby so fussy? Why can’t I put baby down? What’s wrong with baby?

This is something we have lost as a culture. Passing down the support new parents need during this transition. It’s a tough time for parents because they don’t know what to expect, or expected something different and don’t know why baby is acting they way they are. Baby is also having a rough time. They are having to adjust to LIFE. They have never felt air on their skin, been cold, never felt hungry, or itchy. They have never seen so many things before! They have never breathed in air! The world outside is so much different then what they are used to. The womb is always the same temperature. Has soft soothing sounds, provides constant nutrition and is pretty dark. If the first week of life baby doesn’t even fully realize they are no longer part of their mother. This can be a difficult transition for them. You may notice they want constant physical contact.

 

Things that can help:

• Babywearing, “tiger in a tree” pose on a parents arm, skin to skin snuggling/bed sharing, swaddling, calming baths, white noise/ soothing sounds, suckling! Letting baby comfort nurse or using a pacifier can help ease the suckling reflex. This is very comforting and soothing to a new baby.
• Knowing when baby is really hungry is important though too. Often babies show give subtle hints they are getting hungry, they will root for a nipple, make lip smacking sounds, smelling noises with their nose. If these go unnoticed they may start rooting more aggressively turning their head and body in search or the nipple, kick their legs and arms, opening their mouths like little birds. If these too go unnoticed they will start fussing and crying for food, often with an open mouth.

Fussing can be a variety of things, not just hunger. It could be a wet diaper, maybe an itchy tag in their clothing, baby could be too hot or cold, too tired, or even just bored. Next to hunger gas seems to be very bothersome for baby. It can be painful for them, crying can make gas worse and can often be confused with hunger because they use the suckling reflex for comfort for the pain.  Laying baby tummy down on your arm in the “tiger in a tree” pose can help provide counter pressure and get the gas moving. Wearing baby in a carrier is also a big help for gas. If all that doesn’t seem to help, baby could need a change of scenery, try a bath or walk outside. Also, check for hair tourniquets (when a strand of fallen hair gets wrapped around an appendage).

So what should parents expect as normal during this time? This is a hard one, there is such a range of normal behaviour, from sleeping most the day away (and night too) to waking every 1-2 hours for food. Cluster feeding, when baby feeds on and off for hours and doesn’t seem full, is normal. Some babies are fine napping in their crib, or swing. While others need to be held, swaddled, rocked for every nap.

Sounds like it could be tough! If you are expecting or have a new baby seeking out support and community is so important. Just knowing you are not alone is so helpful. If you are really having a rough time search out professionals, a mothers helper, Postpartum Doula or friends and family. Eating well, staying hydrated, and getting rest is important so you can be the best for your baby. The most important piece of advice I can offer for this time: follow your instincts, parents really do have a great natural instinct. If the advice you are given is going against that, maybe do some more research.

Andria Bell is a birth and postpartum doula, a breast feeding counsellor, baby wearing expert and the owner of Bells Babies. To find out more about Andria and the services Bells Babies offer you can visit her website and her facebook page.