Surviving the fourth Trimester | My Spiced Life: Beauty + Lifestyle Blog

Postnatal care in hospital

The first few days after giving birth are a time to rest, recover, and bond with your newborn baby. But don’t forget about yourself. Eat, sleep, and remember that you are just as important as your baby. I remember being busy and neglecting myself. I didn’t feel the best. But I am thankful for my village.

Get a village

The first few weeks at home can be a bit hectic. Adjusting to life with a newborn can be exciting and challenging, but also overwhelming. I am so grateful for my community – my mom stayed behind, my husband took time off work, my brother/sister in law came to visit, my mother in law came over. You need help. I know not everyone can get help, but make more friends, hire a doula. Do your best. There is a lot to learn and a lot of responsibility involved with caring for a newborn.

Keep your baby close

This is a tough one. I prefer to keep my baby in his room. Firstly, it makes me feel more connected to him. If I know his sleep patterns, I can hear when he needs something. It makes me feel a lot less anxious.

Do you sleep when your baby sleeps?

This is easier said than done. For the first few months, I didn’t. I watched Ava religiously. Eating, doing chores, watching shows. But once she was about 3 months old, I took little naps every now and then. It was so refreshing (laughs).

Remember: The fourth trimester is a time of adjustment for both you and your baby, so make sure you build a village. During this time, it’s important to take care of yourself as best you can so you can be there for your baby.