When I google the term fourth trimester the first search result is:

Your baby’s fourth trimester starts from the moment she’s born and lasts until she is three months old. The term is used to describe a period of great change and development in your newborn, as she adjusts to her new world outside your womb. credit: Babycentre.co.uk

So what does this mean and why do babies need this fourth trimester? Human babies are born dependent on their caregiver, without a caregiver they would not survive. Other mammals are able to walk and forage for food as soon as they are born – human babies cannot. They are born with a biological need for attachment and security and seek it out from a primary caregiver – usually the mother because the sounds and smells are familiar from the womb and because she is usually the primary source of food and comfort.

Your baby has been inside you for 9 months, hearing your heart beat, feeling your body heat, hearing your voice. As soon as he is born he must adjust to the world outside where it’s bright, loud and cold – arms and legs can suddenly move freely and instead of being suspended and rocked – encased in the warmth of the womb, society tells you that your baby should lie on his back like a turtle in a room on his own in silence…no wonder newborns cry – not to mention the pain and discomfort from their immature digestive system and feeling hunger for the first time.

Birth suddenly disrupts this organization. During the month following birth, baby tries to regain his sense of organization and fit into life outside the womb. Birth and adaptation to postnatal life bring out the temperament of the baby, so for the first time he must do something to have his needs met. He is forced to act, to “behave.” If hungry, cold, or startled, he cries. He must make an effort to get the things he needs from his caregiving environment. If his needs are simple and he can get what he wants easily, he’s labelled an “easy baby”;  if he does not adapt readily, he is labelled “difficult”. – Dr. William Sears.

In other cultures it is very common for babies to be attached to the mother for most of the day and to sleep with the parents…even sitting on their back or hip while they work so that daily duties can still be completed whilst keeping the baby close – and happy.

Other primates have 5 years of suckling and sleeping with the mother and another 3- 5 years emotional dependence on her.

A newborn baby needs to form early, long-lasting attachments to handle stress, function socially, develop normally and survive but the road to parenthood is complex, we as a society don’t have the structures in place to support new parents with their babies.

Traditionally there was a 40 day confinement period where mum and baby recovered from labour and spent important days getting to know each other, there was no rush to get back to every-day activities, or have visitors over – family took care of mum and baby whilst they focused on bonding and breastfeeding. Mothering the mother.

This confinement period is still practised in some cultures and whilst it might not be practical for many of us today, the 4th trimester is still a time for quiet healing. For mum, dad and baby to benefit from skin to skin contact, mum and baby to learn how to breastfeed and for siblings to get to know their new baby.

In the absence of help from the extended family a Postpartum Doula can help a family transition into their new family dynamic in a way that is healthy and happy for everyone, I hope to pass on to parents, the skills and techniques I have learned both as a professional and as a mum of 3. Don’t be fooled, I don’t know one single parent that has it all figured out, we are all in the same boat, it’s trial and error and knowledge and learning but a little help can go a long way.

If you’re reading this and you’re struggling please get in touch: 085 7666 592 or email: jen@bearandbundle.ie

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