Get Through the 4th Trimester Alive!

Women have so much to think about during pregnancy. We spend so much time planning the perfect birth, nursery, shower etc. We often forget about the fourth trimester!

The fourth trimester is a time that describes the first three months of a babies life. When I had my first squish, I remember someone saying to me that my little guy looked like a little frog. He was all squished up laying on my chest. He loved this position. I wondered why that was? 

Babies love their mamas! We are all they know! Our smell, the sound of our voice, the warmth of our skin, and the sound of our heart beat can often times instantly calm our babies! These little babes don't know they are even born! They want and need us. 

This time can often be challenging. As mothers now, we are changing. We are exhausted, healing, learning how to breastfeed and just adjusting to new life with our new baby. I want to share some easy tips to survive the fourth trimester.

It is easiest to try and think about what a baby experienced in the womb and try to recreate it! They spent their whole lives inside of our womb and that is all they know! By using our common sense we can often times meet their needs.

1. Hunger
- The placenta was constantly feeding your little one in the womb. They never felt hunger before. Feed your baby! Feeding on demand lets your little one know you are there for them. Don't worry about a time clock and how long it has been since their last feeding. Nursing them not only relieves their hunger but it comforts them as well.

2. Noise
- Our womb is a noisy place! The sounds of our digestion, heartbeat and muffled sounds soothes baby. putting on a sound machine, fan or running water helps recreate this noise and can soothe them.

2. Movement
- Babies are constantly lulled by our daily movement in the womb. by carrying our baby, or baby wearing, we are recreating this movement they are used to. it can help them fall asleep as well!

3. Heartbeat
- Our babes are used to constantly hearing the sound of our heart beat! doing skin to skin with mom or dad can calm them by this sound they are so used to being comforted by. Not to mention it releases oxytocin, helping us bond!

4. Talking
- Baby is used to hearing us and others talking. talking, singing and laughter can soothe our babies and let them know we are near.

5. Temperature
- Our baby has never felt cold before! they are most comforted being warm.

6. Closed Quarters
- Baby is constantly snuggled up tight in our womb. recreate this by arm swaddling, baby wearing, and keeping close. 

I hope these tips help you survive the fourth trimester. This time of life is so sweet. The days are long, but the years are short. Cherish every moment, every snuggle, every late night feeding. All too soon they grow up and you find yourself missing these moments. Breath them in, remember their littleness. We are so blessed to be called to be mamas. 

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​You can learn this and SO MUCH MORE by taking a birth boot camp class. Visit www.birthbootcamp.com to find an instructor in your area. We also offer online classes you can take from the comfort of your own home! Visit siouxfallsbirth.com to learn more about me and the classes I offer in the sioux falls, sd area!