What every mum needs to know about the often frustrating fourth trimester

Nine months is a long time to have someone attached to you, 24/7. But, for many mums, this is only the beginning. While pregnancy consists of three trimesters, the first three months with your newborn is often dubbed the fourth trimester.

Once your newborn arrives, you may find that she won’t be content unless she is in your arms. And, while it can be frustrating and make you feel like you’re failing, you’re actually doing everything right.

So, to the new mums struggling with a clingy newborn, dying for a shower and assuming that you are doing something wrong, here’s the truth you need to hear:

Called the Fourth Trimester, the first three months with a new baby are not only the hardest for you and your partner but also for your little one. Yes, you’re exhausted, your breasts are aching, your house is a mess and you’re stressed about pretty much everything. Add to the mix, a baby who cries all the time, refuses to sleep and needs to be held constantly.

It’s only natural to assume you’re messing this up, that it’s not supposed to be like this, that your baby is crying and upset because you’re doing something wrong. Stop. Take a deep breathe. And look at it from your newborn’s side of things.

Your baby’s point of view

For nine months all she has known is the comfort of your uterus, where she can eat and sleep whenever she feels like it. She knows you are close – she can hear you and feel you from within. And this is her comfort zone. YOU are her comfort zone.

Now… well, now she’s out. And the space is huge. Sometimes it’s dark. Sometimes it’s light. Sometimes it’s cold. Sometimes it’s hot. Sometimes she’s in your arms. Sometimes she’s in a strange blanket thing. Sometimes these strange new items known as clothes and nappies and weird hat thingies are itchy and uncomfortable. Sometimes she’s hungry but there’s nothing to suck. Sometimes she’s sleepy but she is too overwhelmed to just sleep. And sometimes you are not there.

To her, this is just as confusing. And the only way to voice these concerns is to cry. Because crying makes you come. And all she wants is you.

This is often the case for the first three months, sometimes longer. Babies are not prepared for the world outside the uterus. Some experts suggest that babies actually require more growth in utero but this would make childbirth far too dangerous and difficult.

From womb to world

Replicating the womb in every day situations is one way to help your baby feel more comfortable and get used to this new environment slowly, without such dramatic changes. So let’s think about the womb, shall we?

The fourth trimester won’t last forever. Soon she will be eager to explore the world, to try new things, to adventure outside your arms. But for now, take it all in. You cannot spoil a newborn. So try not to let the thoughts on what you and your newborn SHOULD be doing spoil this precious time.

Did you know the Healthy Mummy Smoothie is breastfeeding friendly?

The Healthy Mummy smoothie has been created to help mums benefit from a wide range of nutrients which can also help support your healthy eating plan and exercise routine if you are trying to lose weight.

The Healthy Mummy Smoothie range has been formulated by leading nutritionists, dieticians and with the input from the Monash University.

It offers an excellent source of essential vitamins, minerals, nutrients and important antioxidants.  It is free from any weight loss accelerants, caffeine, contains no wheat ingredients, no fructose, is 96 per cent sugar free and is dairy free. It is also a non Genetically Modified product and is breastfeeding friendly.  

Buy your Healthy Mummy Smoothie HERE.