The Fourth Trimester: A Realistic Guide for New Mums & Babies
The moment your baby arrives, a whole new chapter begins and not just for your little one, but for you, too. While pregnancy is often broken into three trimesters, what many don’t talk about enough is the fourth trimester. It's the first 12 weeks after birth, where your baby transitions to life outside the womb, and you begin your journey as a new mum.
This period is raw, beautiful, exhausting, transformative and honestly it deserves just as much attention as pregnancy itself.
In this guide, we’ll explore what to expect from your baby and your body, offer support tips, and share gentle product recommendations to help make this time feel a little easier.
👶 What to Expect from Your Baby in the Fourth Trimester
Your newborn has just made a massive transition from the comfort of the womb, feeding & drinking on demand, constant/same temperatures, breathing with you, feeling you & just being with you 24/7 into a big, bright world full of noise, light, different temperatues and all many new sensation. They’re still learning how to process everything.
1. Unpredictable Sleep Patterns
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Newborns sleep around 14–17 hours per day, but in short stretches (1.5–3 hours at a time).
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Their circadian rhythms aren’t developed, so they don’t yet know the difference between day and night.
💡 Tip: Try to expose your baby to natural daylight during the day, and keep nights dark and quiet to help them adjust.
🛏️ Product Pick:
ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag – Helps your baby feel snug and secure, mimics being in the womb for better sleep, without the need for complex wrapping. TOG-rated for different seasons to help maintain a comfortable temperature all night.
2. Crying & Soothing Needs
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Newborns communicate through crying. It’s how they tell you they’re hungry, cold, overstimulated, or just need your comfort. They will cry for everything, afterall, it's the only thing they can do.
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Colic-like crying, can occure especially in the late afternoon or evening, can be common around 3–6 weeks.
💡 Tip: Movement (rocking or walking), white noise, skin-to-skin contact, and swaddling can help soothe.
🧣 Product Pick:
Zazu Robin the Racoon Baby Comforter, a perfect companion for your little one. Heartbeat sound: Mimics the mother’s heartbeat, providing a familiar and calming sound. Cry sensor: Detects your baby’s cries and automatically reactivates the last played sound. Pacifier holder: Ensures the pacifier is always within reach and never gets lost. Velcro loop: Allows you to attach the comforter to the cot, stroller or car seat.
3. Feeding Around the Clock
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Whether breast or bottle-feeding, newborns feed 8–12 times per 24 hours.
- If you are breastfeeding, it may feel like all your doing is feeding your baby & that is perfectly okay, normal infact.
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Growth spurts around 2–3 weeks and 6 weeks can lead to cluster feeding - where all baby wants to do is drink/nurse.
💡 Tip: Keep water and snacks nearby during feeds, and consider nursing-friendly clothing and pillows for comfort.
🤱 Product Picks -
Dr Browns - The very best in Bottle feeding supplies.
4. Reflexes & Movement
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Expect twitching, jerky movements, and the startle reflex (Moro reflex) — where baby flails arms in response to sudden noise or motion.
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This reflex can wake them from sleep.
💡 Tip: A swaddle can help reduce the impact of startle reflex and improve sleep duration.
🤱 What to Expect as a Mum in the Fourth Trimester
This isn’t just recovery it’s your rebirth. Your body, your identity, and your emotions are all shifting. Many women are surprised by how intense this time can be and how much support they actually need.
1. Physical Recovery
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If you’ve had a vaginal birth, you may experience perineal soreness, bleeding, and pelvic floor weakness.
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After a C-section, recovery involves incision care, movement restrictions, and fatigue from surgery.
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Breastfeeding can cause nipple soreness, engorgement, and hormone swings.
💡 Tip: Rest often, accept help, and don’t rush your recovery. Your body just did something incredible — give it the same care and compassion you'd offer a friend.
🫶 Product Tip -
Bubba Bump - Perineum Ice and Heat Pack - To soothe a sore Perineum
2. Hormonal Changes & Emotions
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After birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop, which can trigger mood swings or "baby blues" around days 3–5 postpartum.
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Up to 80% of mums experience temporary tearfulness or anxiety around night 2. It can be referred to as the "second day baby blues". It is normal all of your hormones are adjusting to have given birth. It is okay to cry, it is okay to ask for help, it will be okay.
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But if feelings of sadness, overwhelm, or hopelessness persist past two weeks, it may be a sign of postnatal depression and talking to your midwife or doctor is highly recommended.
💡 Tip: Talk openly to your partner, GP, midwife, or a mental health professional. You are not alone, and help is available to you, there is no shame in saying "I need help".
3. Lack of Sleep & Fatigue
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Sleep deprivation is a huge factor in how you feel day to day.
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Even with a "good sleeper," most mums/parents will still be up every few hours in the early weeks.
💡 Tip: Prioritise naps over housework, - Honestly the mess can wait. Accept help with meals and chores, as they say "it takes a village" and avoid scrolling your phone - instead prioritise sleeping.
🧸 Consider setting up a cozy feeding corner with low light, snacks, a water bottle, and a nursing pillow to support long night-time feeds.
🍪 Product Picks
Maternity & Breastfeeding Pillows - Comfort for you, support for your baby.
4. Shifting Identity
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You may feel like you’ve lost part of your old self. Your freedom, your career focus, your sense of routine.
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It’s common to grieve your "before baby" life while also feeling deeply in love with your newborn.
💡 Tip: It’s okay to feel both joy and grief. Talk about it. Reconnect with small things you love (like a walk, a hot shower, or a podcast).
🛍️ Fourth Trimester Essentials: What You Actually Need
Here's a go-to checklist to support you and your baby:
For Baby:
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✅ Swaddles & wraps (Snuggle Hunny Kids)
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✅ TOG-rated swaddle bags & sleepwear (ErgoPouch)
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✅ White noise machine
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✅ Soft beanies & clothing for warmth
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✅ Bottles - If bottle feeding
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✅ Carrier or wrap for contact naps
For Mum:
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✅ Comfy, nursing-friendly loungewear
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✅ Nipple balm & breast pads
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✅ Postpartum recovery undies or pads
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✅ Snacks and water bottle
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✅ Support network — partner, friends, or professionals
💬 Final Thoughts: Go Gently
The fourth trimester is temporary, but its impact is lasting.
These early weeks are about you and your bond, with your baby, your confidence as a parent, and your physical recovery.
Go gently, lower expectations, and give yourself permission to rest & feel all your emotions.
Your body and your baby are both doing an amazing job.
It is okay to ask for help.
Explore our beautiful range of postpartum and newborn essentials to help make the fourth trimester feel a little calmer, cozier, and more supported.