What Is the Fourth Trimester?
A fourth trimester (the first 3 months of a baby's life) of cuddling is the birthday present your baby really wants! You may think your peaceful nursery offers your new baby the perfect environment, but from her point of view, your home feels like it's part wild Las Vegas casino...and part dark closet!
I always tell my patients that babies are born too soon. I know what youâre thinking: Are you kidding? Too short?! For many moms, the last month of pregnancy seemed interminable. Heartburn, puffy ankles, stretch marks and peeing every 2 hours can take all the shine off that pregnancy glow.
But while you couldnât wait to finally hold your baby in your arms, your baby would definitely have voted for a few extra months inside if you had given her the choice.Â
Rememberâyour babyâs brain was so big that you had to âevictâ her after 9 months, even though she was still smushy, mushy and very immature. As a result, she isnât quite ready for the big, bad outside world.
So, for the first months, it can help to think of her like a fetusâŚoutside the womb.
In fact, grandmas, nurses and nannies who are gifted baby calmers all have one talent in common: theyâre really good at mimicking a babyâs life in the womb.
To be a good womb impersonator, you first need to know: âWhat was it like in there?â Warm? Sure. Dark? Actually, fetuses see soft red light as the rays of the sun pass through your outer skin and muscle. Quiet and still? No way!
Before birth, fetuses are lavished with rhythmic sensations: the caress of velvet-soft walls, lots of jiggly motion and loud whooshing from blood pulsing through the uterine arteries (BTW, they donât hear your heart beat). To give your little one "fourth trimester" care, you'll want to give her plenty of snug wrapping/swaddling, shushing, swaying motion, holding in the side/stomach position and opportunities to suck. These techniques are what I call the 5 S's. They will make your baby feel back at home and trigger her calming reflex.
***
Fun fact: Happiest Baby's SNOO Smart Sleeper uses fourth trimester sound and motion to calm crying and boost sleep for both babies and parents. Learn more.
View more posts tagged, Soothing
Have questions about a Happiest Baby product? Our consultants would be happy to help! Submit your questions here.