11 Realistic Fourth Trimester Tips + Tricks New Moms Swear By

Are you in your third trimester of pregnancy or recently had a baby? This post is all about the fourth trimester.

It’s pretty common for new moms to not know what they’re getting into in the fourth trimester because they’ve never had a baby before (I’m guilty too). It’s easy to think the baby will magically sleep through the night, you will find time to clean the house and cook dinner in the same day, and your body will be back to “normal” in a few weeks.

While I’m not here to be a Debbie Downer, I think it’s extremely important for new moms to have realistic expectations about pregnancy and postpartum.

I will be telling you about exactly what you can expect in the first few weeks postpartum. Plus, I’m giving you the top tips and tricks to thrive in the fourth trimester!

This post is all about the fourth trimester.

What To Expect Postpartum

Having a new baby is an exciting time, but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming and downright hard some days.

The fourth trimester (the 3 months after birth) is filled with sleepless nights, learning to care for a newborn and finding ways to love your postpartum body. It’s an exciting time but it can also be exhausting, overwhelming and downright hard some days.

Your newborn baby will need a lottt of your attention and it may feel like all you do is feed, burp, change and lull the baby to sleep. The first few weeks can be tough too with all of the interrupted sleep at night.

On top of that, you will need time to recover from birth whether you had a c section or vaginal delivery.

The fourth trimester can really be a lot to handle but the most important thing is that it’s temporary and you WILL sleep again. And despite the new challenges you will face, it’s totally possible for you to really thrive during this time!

Fourth Trimester Tips

1. Sleep sleep sleep

Sleep whenever you can those first few weeks, especially naps! Nap when your baby sleeps instead of doing dishes or folding laundry. Trustttt me. I can almost guarantee that your nighttime sleep will be pretty broken for the first few days to weeks so naps will be your saviour.

I also recommend trying to establish a nighttime plan with your husband as soon as possible when you get home. Whether you take shifts or your husband feeds your baby a bottle while you pump (or sleep), getting on the same page with your partner is important. Getting a few solid hours of sleep while the other parent is awake and tending to the baby really is a GAME CHANGER.

2. Baby wearing

Baby wearing might seem intimidating at first but wraps, slings and carriers will be a lifesaver for you during the fourth trimester and beyond. Plus there are so many benefits to using them too.

Stretchy wraps are ideal for newborn babies. They are not only calming for the babies but allow you to have your hands free too. Just make sure you are familiar with the rules for safe baby wearing and understand the best position for your baby’s legs.

3. Take a baby sleep class

Whoever started the phrase “sleep like a baby” was a liar. Babies definitely don’t sleep automatically… and especially not at night.

Did you know they are actually born not knowing the difference between night and day?!

Taking a sleep class is one of my TOP tips whether you are in your third trimester of pregnancy or newly postpartum. It will give you the tools and knowledge you need to teach your baby how to be a great sleeper. Plus, it will give you a lot of confidence too!

My favorite newborn classes that I always recommend with Taking Cara Babies and Little Z’s Sleep.

4. Set boundaries with family & friends

When it comes to having visitors (in the hospital or at home), you will need to decide what you are and aren’t comfortable with. It can sometimes feel uncomfortable to enforce these “rules” but your newborn baby’s immune system is still very weak. Plus, you might not even feel up to visitors.

Some common guidelines you can enforce include:

No visitors that might be sick.
No unannounced visitors or other guests with visitors.
It’s ok to keep visits short or cancel if needed.
Don’t be afraid to ask for food or help.
The visitors don’t have to hold the baby.
Wash your hands before any contact with the baby.
Absolutely no kissing the baby.
Don’t forget about the other siblings.
Be a good listener and only offer advice if asked.

5. Ask for help

For some reason, it’s so hard for moms to ask for help especially during the fourth trimester. But what I’ve learned through motherhood is that it takes a village to raise a child!

The postpartum period is a perfect time to look around to see who can make your life a little easier. If a friend or family can watch the baby while you nap or shower, throw a load of laundry in, cook dinner or pick up takeout or just come over for support then I hope you accept the help.

Most family and friends really want to help but just don’t know how. So if they don’t offer then I encourage you to speak up and ask for the kind of help you can benefit from.

6. Focus on self care

This can look like so many different things. It doesn’t have to be a bubble bath or getting your nails done, although those might be very relaxing for you. Self care can look like taking a shower and getting dressed every morning, talking with a friend, watching tv while snuggling your baby or just getting outside for some fresh air.

The baby blues, postpartum depression and postpartum anxiety are very common during the fourth trimester. Although self care won’t magically solve these types of postpartum mental health issues, taking time to do something you love goes a logn way.

7. Prepare a few meals ahead of time

The fourth trimester of pregnancy (the first three months postpartum) often comes with a lot of sleepless nights, diaper changes and feedings. So whatever you can do or prep to make your life a little easier postpartum is worth it in my book!

Freezer meals for new moms are by far my top recommended way to plan postpartum meals that you will actually eat and love. I recommend choosing a few meals to make before baby arrives so that way dinner can be put together with minimal effort and time.

8. Be honest with your spouse about how you’re feeling

It’s easy to get caught up in the baby’s needs but your needs are important too! It can be hard for others to recognize that you need help, even your husband, so it is your job to speak up and communicate how you’re feeling.

This can look like asking for help, needing an ear to talk to about the good things and the struggles, or simply wanting to have company so you don’t feel as lonely. It can be hard at first but once you get used to it, it can make a big difference.

9. Connect with other moms

Other moms are some of the best people to talk to because they totally get it. They have been through the sleepless nights, endless diaper changes and constant feedings but they also know how amazing it is once you get through all that.

10. Eat and stay hydrated.

It’s easy to get caught up in your baby’s needs that you forget to feed yourself or end in the fourth trimester and beyond. But it’s so important to take the time to eat and drink enough to keep your body going. This is especially important if you’re breastfeeding and need to keep up your supply.

But regardless of feeding method, eating a few nutrient packed meals a day and drinking water will be key to your recovery from delivery and how you feel each day.

You can fully expect to not have a lot of time to cook the meals from scratch though, which is why I’m a big fan of preparing a few freezer meals during the third trimester of pregnancy. Another thing you can do is to have a few easy options on hand at home.

11. Be kind to yourself.

Parenthood comes with good days, bad days, tired days and everything in between. This is a brand new season of life that you haven’t experienced yet so take a breath and give yourself grace. The fourth trimester is not a life sentence – you will get through it, your baby will grow and you will sleep through the night eventually.

Know that you are doing the best you can and you are meant to be your baby’s mother. Even on the hard days, you deserve to speak to yourself kindly.