The Familiarizing Fourth Trimester

Fourth Trimester: Your baby's fourth trimester starts from the moment he's born and lasts until he is three months old. The term is used to describe a period of great change and development in your newborn, as he adjusts to his new world outside your womb.

The fourth trimester definition should also include this vital piece of information: how Mom & Dad learn how to adapt and care for the newborn. Crazy to believe Dexter is already 3 months old. Here are a few (10- I could probably go on forever!) things we have learned about this time period in which we were both trying to figure out the little man and ourselves.

1. Post-natal care for Moms is no joke! I had a super rough labor, and I would not have survived those first 6 weeks without some uber helpful items: Earth Angel New Mama Bottom Spray, Dermaplast, Ice Packs, Tucks Pads, and Padsicles. I was so sore. It hurt to even sit down for the first 3 weeks. I took a bunch of stuff from the hospital but still needed to order more. Thanks Amazon Prime!

The Fourth Trimester can be rough!

2. Breastfeeding is HARD work. Everyone else makes breastfeeding look so easy. Maybe that is why I thought it would come so naturally. Extremely rewarding and worth it, but gosh that first week was brutal. After having me pump so much at the hospital that my nipples bled, I was off to a rough start. We used a shield for the first week and a half-ish. Partially because it was easier for me and Dexter, and partially because my nipples still hurt so bad. I can see why people give up so easily. However, I knew how much I had wanted to breastfeed and how important it was to me (not Mom shaming anyone else!) I also used nipple cream early on. Some other things that I would not have survived without while breastfeeding are: My Brest Friend pillow, Nighttime nursing bras, Bamboobies, and Bravado Bras. I absolutely cherish every second I spend snuggling and feeding my guy, the bonding is indescribable.

Morning chats after feeds

3. Be kind to your body! As much as I loved being pregnant, I was stoked to get my pre-pregnancy body back. I was hoping my belly button would return to an innie (it did after a few days) and my cankles would leave me alone! (Those took a few weeks! woof!) I still have my Linea Nigra (dark line down your belly) and haven't even come close to losing all of my pregnancy weight. I have 12 pounds to go but feel like a million. I am trying to be kind to myself. I grew a human! What a miracle. Our bodies are so incredible and I am not someone who is going to starve myself in order to fit back into my pre-pregnancy clothing in a heartbeat. It's a process and I am just so grateful my body was able to grow a healthy little guy.

Snuggles with Mama

4. Babies follow no schedule, especially when it comes to sleep! One of the things I get asked most frequently is "How are you sleeping? How is the baby sleeping?" We have been pretty lucky with Dexter's sleeping habits. Month 1 he was getting 2-3 hour stretches, Month 2 was 3-4 and now we are up to 5-6 hours between wakes/feedings at night. During the day he takes anywhere from 3-7 naps, most of which are 20 minutes but he usually does a good long one ranging from 1 hour to 4 hours. The difficulty lies in the fact that we never quite know which nap he is going to make his long one! Hence mama getting not much done but snuggling :) Some days he eats 234875234 times (it feels like) and others just a few big feedings. I follow his lead and feed when he is hungry. Of course the first few weeks were an exception when we fed every 2-3 hours max.

Looking fancy for Aunt Kelly's graduation

5. Most of the gear you have you probably won't use, and you'll need others. We had an awesome bathtub we thought he would love - not so much. Ended up getting a different tub and he LOVES baths now. We have a large diaper bag, and I am yearning to get a backpack one for easy transport. If you are unsure, keep tags and ask other mamas for recommendations! I am working on a master registry list. On that note - Baby clothes are a double edge sword. On one hand, people will tell you that you don't need very many outfits (I will say he was in newborns from birth until 1 month, then 3 month clothes for months 2 and 3 and now he is in 3-6 and 6 month clothing- but every baby is different). However, when they spit-up/blow-out of 4 outfits in one day and you don't feel like doing laundry, you actually need quite a few for the week. As far as feasibility of outfits- those cute button downs and khaki pants aren't quite as comfy as the one-pieces and cotton onesies/shorts/pants. One thing that we could not live without is Baby Oxiclean (I think the regular kind is the exact same though). We soak his stained (i.e. blowouts) clothes in a small container of water/oxiclean and we haven't had anything remain permanent yet.

Naps with Dada

6. You will be tired, but oh so happy! The old adage 'sleep when the baby sleeps' is somewhat true. Those first few weeks I took multiple naps a day when he did. Now, I may nap once or twice a week. If you are someone who needs sleep - then nap! I am someone who needs a clean house and is always crafting/scheming master plans. So sleep is not as high of a priority for me. However, I cannot resist taking a nap with a sleeping babe on my chest (Dustin is a big supporter of these naps!)

First dinner out of the house - Outback Steakhouse! Of course he needed to eat as soon as our food came :)

7. Don't be afraid to get out and do things! We took Dexter to our favorite place (Target) the week he was born. We do lots of babywearing but I also use our Graco click connect stroller with his infant seat. Everyone is different about this, but for me I needed to get out of the house a bit to feel like a real person. Don't get me wrong, I love being home, but it isn't quite so bad taking them places when then are so little - they don't do/say/move much so it is really up to you! Walks have been a family favorite. Of course we had to work around feedings and I have already fed him in the parking lots of many places and inside restaurants. PS those nursing covers are awesome, but so hard for a baby who still needs assistance latching. We look like a 3-ring circus. I usually just whip it out and don't care much about what others think!

One of our daily walks!

8. Pumping has been a lifesaver. When I am super full or he isn't hungry I use my Medela Pump In Style Advanced pump. I ordered it from 1 Natural Way and they send me re-supplies each month (they worked with my insurance unprompted from me!) So each month I get 6 new bottles, shields, tubing, and extra accessories. That has been so helpful! I also use the Bravado pump and clip bra for hands free. Much more comfy than some of the other hands-free ones.

Babywearing for the win!

9. You will go through a ton of diapers! Dexter loves to pee/poop as soon as he gets a fresh one on. I would say we went through about 300 Newborn diapers (birth to 1 month), 300 size 1s (1-2 months) and are currently in size 2s. We were going to try the cloth route, but have found the disposables easier. We are big Pampers fans but also use Up&Up. Struggled big time with Huggies - lots of blowouts! Everything is personal preference.

Reading our nightly stories :) Melts my heart!

10. Enjoy every second. It goes by WAY too quickly. Everyone told me this, but it is SO SO true. I already miss those early newborn days. Spend lots of time snuggling, talking, reading, anything that helps you bond with your baby. We are over the moon in love with our little guy and it has been such a joy watching him grow and change already! I just adore being a mom. It was the role I have waited for my entire life, and I am still pinching myself every day to have been blessed with this little miracle <3

Anything you would add to this list? There is always more to learn before number 2 comes along (sometime down the road!)