The stage of pregnancy we're not talking about enough.
Trimesters 1 through 3 come with a roadmap. The 4th doesn't, but it should. Postpartum is its own transformative season: your body is recovering, your baby is acclimating, and everything from feeding schedules to your own identity is in flux. It's not just your baby's stage or your stage. It's both, at once, and it deserves care built for that reality.
To help you navigate the early days of the 4th trimester, we asked two experts to weigh in: Dr. Mona Amin, Coterie's board-certified pediatrician, on newborn care, and Dr. Banafsheh Bayati, Perelel's board-certified OB/GYN. Here's what they want every new parent to know.
The first few weeks: expect the unexpected
Nothing about the newborn stage runs on schedule—for your baby or for you. "Newborns feed often, wake often, make a lot of little noises, and rarely settle into a predictable pattern right away," says Dr. Amin. "That can feel unsettling when you are tired and trying to figure out what is normal. I always remind parents that confidence is not something you are supposed to have on day one."
The same goes for you. "The immediate postpartum euphoria is fleeting and a tremendous amount of support is needed for most new moms," says Dr. Bayati. "The importance of a strong support system that serves you in all ways—emotional, nutritional, and physical—is underestimated but so important.”
Feeding you both
Feeding is one of the biggest adjustments of the 4th trimester—for babies and for the parents feeding them. Whether you are breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, pumping, using formula, or doing some combination, the goal is a fed baby and a supported mom.
That support matters for your own recovery, too. "Whether breastfeeding or not, this season takes such a physical and mental toll,” says Dr. Bayati.
I always tell new moms that postpartum self-care is not indulgent but vital.
A long hot shower, quiet reflection time, a walk out doors are all examples of ways to increase resilience, improve mood and to handle the enormous challenges of the fourth trimester." Drinking a lot of water (and replenishing with electrolytes) and taking easy steps to fill gap in your nutrition can also go a long way. “A complete postpartum prenatal vitamin can fill nutritional gaps and needs that are significantly higher in the fourth trimester. Taking a moment for your postnatal everyday can be one very simple way of caring for yourself.”
Sleep, and the mental load that comes with it
Newborn sleep won't run on a schedule right away. “Your baby will likely need help falling asleep, want to be close, and take time to settle into any real rhythm. This doesn't mean you're creating bad habits or ruining future sleep, so focus on safe sleep, and keep an honest, ongoing conversation with your pediatrician about what sleep actually looks like in your home,” says Dr. Amin.
Your own sleep needs just as much attention. "One of the most common complications of the fourth trimester includes postpartum anxiety and depression," says Dr. Bayati. And sleep is a big part of this conversation. "The two tips I give moms who are struggling with how to get enough sleep: take naps and go to bed early. Both of those might feel very foreign but they are lifelines in this time."
Skin care and physical recovery
Your baby's skin and your body are both doing a lot of repair work right now, and both call for the same philosophy: keep it simple.
When it comes to baby, "simple is the goal," says Dr. Amin.
"Your baby's skin is sensitive, and most babies do well with fewer products, gentle cleansing, and no fragrance." On diaper rash specifically: "Diaper rash is common, but a few simple habits can protect your baby's skin. Change diapers often, clean the area gently, pat dry when you can, and apply a barrier cream if the skin starts looking red or irritated. Coterie's Bun Balm is one I recommend because it is petrolatum-free, fragrance-free, and clinically shown to reduce moisture loss from the skin."
Postpartum recovery looks different for every mom, pelvic floor complications are common and recovery deserves the same patience and care that you are giving your baby. "Common postpartum concerns that I see include urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and diastasis recti," says Dr. Bayati. "My best advice here is to take this seriously and don't rush the recovery process.” And there are steps you can take to support your body: “Postpartum pelvic floor physical therapy reduces the risks of these issues significantly,” says Dr. Bayati. “I am also a huge fan of postpartum pilates. It targets what is needed during this life stage without adding to exhaustion or loss of fluids needed if breastfeeding.”
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This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited experts and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.
