
We often focus on how new motherhood is such an immense physical and emotional change for a woman, but rarely do we consider what the transition is like for the newborn baby.
Have you heard of the fourth trimester? Described by expert Dr. Harvey Karp as the first three months of a baby’s life, it is a time when a newborn is adjusting to life outside of the womb.
Basically, it’s the idea that babies are born too soon.
It can help to think of your newborn as a foetus outside the cosy place they called home for more than nine months
So, what is the fourth trimester like from your baby’s perspective?
Life inside the womb was warm, relatively quiet, dark, and cushioned. Anytime your baby felt tired, he was gently rocked to sleep while you went about your day. Now, he’s out in the big world with bright sunshine and lights, loud noises, and he’s (sometimes) sleeping flat on his back.
Your baby never felt hungry or thirsty inside the womb because she was constantly fed through the umbilical cord. As a newborn, she has to get used to telling you when she’s hungry, while you get used to discerning which cry means what. Feeding through her mouth plus the new sensations and tastes of milk are all huge changes for her.
With the temperature regulated by your body, your baby never felt cold or hot inside the womb. He was cocooned in a safe water world, whereas outside the womb, he’s experiencing changing temperatures, the sensation of wearing clothes, and all kinds of new smells. Digestive discomfort would be expected as your baby’s body adjusts to milk as opposed to the nutrients he received through the umbilical cord.
Your baby never knew loneliness or fear when she was inside your womb. She was always with you, listening to the rhythmic flow of fluid and blood, and your familiar voice from within. Outside the womb, there are suddenly new people and unfamiliar sounds that could frighten her. When left alone in a bassinet or car seat, she may cry out for you because she needs to feel your presence.
Seeing life from your baby’s perspective can help to strengthen your bond while you work together to make life easier during this wonderful, but often challenging, period. Your baby may have started crying a lot, but as you can see, he has plenty of reason to!
Your newborn needs your help during the fourth trimester, and in supporting them, it will make this time more enjoyable for you. Essentially, the trick is to emulate the conditions of the womb to keep him or her calm:
As you can see, the fourth trimester is a period of great change and development for your newborn. By offering plenty of love, understanding, and support, you can make this transition smoother for the both of you. And of course, it WILL pass.