How do newborns adapt to life outside of the womb?

After a few weeks, you'll see your baby sleeping for longer spans of time (though it takes some time for them to learn to sleep longer at night), feeding more often as their tummies develop, and interacting with you more by cooing and gurgling for longer periods of attentiveness.

At what stage can a baby survive outside the womb?

By the time you reach 24 weeks pregnant, the baby has a possibility of survival if born. Most infants born before this period are unable to survive because their lungs and other essential organs have not grown enough. Because of the improved care available in infant (neonatal) facilities, an increasing number of babies delivered prematurely survive.

The Fourth Trimester: How Baby Adjusts to Life Outside the Womb?

We all know newborns aren't cognitively ready to function in the outer world until about 40 weeks old and need a lot of hands-on care. Humans are born with the least developed brains of any primate. Researchers believe that an extra nine to twelve months in gestation would be necessary to bring humans up to neurological and cognitive speed with our monkey counterparts.

What is the fourth trimester?

The fourth trimester, a three-month phase in which newborns acclimatise to life outside the womb, was proposed in the late 1970s and popularised by paediatrician Harvey Karp in his 2002 book The Happiest Baby on the Block. Karp's approach, which emphasises the importance of thinking of our newborns as foetuses outside the womb, has assisted thousands of sleep-deprived parents in soothing fussy babies. His approach, known as the 5 S's, assists carers in mimicking specific features of the womb, duplicating the noises, movement, and snugness that babies experience as they learn to control their reflexes and improve their senses.

Tips to help baby get through the fourth trimester

Even if the infant is calm, expect some fussiness, particularly in the first few weeks. Checking for hunger (most infants feed around every two hours), soiled nappies and the need to burp should be part of your daily routine. If the infant is generally healthy but becomes too fussy, you may need to be inventive.

Skin to skin: Holding your baby near and upright, with both of you covered in a blanket if it's chilly, helps to comfort them by bringing them closer to your heartbeat, aroma, and warmth.
Motion: Walking, dancing, swinging the baby, or even taking them for a drive all help them calm down.
A warm bath: Warm water may be soothing for some newborns and may help you get them settled for the night.

If these tips do not help, the infant might be overstimulated, gassy, overtired, or a mix of the three. Trying Karp's 5 S's might help your child sleep better:

Swaddle: Swaddling the baby tightly, with arms in, mimics the security of the womb and helps reduce their startle reflex, preventing sudden awakenings.

Side/Stomach: Holding the baby on their side or stomach across your lap, or high over your shoulder, may help them feel happier. Use this method only for calming purposes; always lay your baby down to sleep on their back to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Shushing: Start by softly shushing into the baby's ear, mimicking the sounds they experienced in the womb like the whooshing of blood flowing. As the baby relaxes, gradually reduce your decibel level.

Swinging: Gently support the baby's head and quickly bounce it back and forth in small motions, no more than an inch in each direction.

Sucking: Once your baby is comfortable breastfeeding, give them a pacifier to suck between feedings or to soothe them while they sleep.

Tips to help mom get through the fourth trimester

Caring for a baby can be exhausting. Karp notes that mothers typically get around 6.5 hours of sleep each day. While this might seem sufficient, it’s important to consider that this sleep is often divided into 20 short intervals, meaning no one gets more than an hour of continuous rest. Studies show that [this state of sleep deprivation] is the equivalent of being drunk according to Dr. Pranjali Lanjewar, Research Associate, Noida International Institue of Medical Sciences.

Sleep deprivation may cause postpartum depression, marital problems, and even SIDS if you are so exhausted that your infant falls asleep with you in bed.

You and your partner should sit down during your third trimester to create a detailed plan for how to best care for yourself after the baby arrives. Consider how you will meet the essential needs of new mothers: rest, nutritious food, loving touch, companionship, and connection with nature.

Here are some tips

Create a list of guests you wish to see in the first few days, weeks, and months following delivery. Write down the names of persons you trust to hold your infant while washing, snoozing, or conversing.

Visualise strategies to help you relax and how you'll disconnect from technology and handle visits to make room for slumber.

Create a meal train to simplify cooking while caring for your infant.
Limit your obligations and duties outside of the house.

Keep contact information for the specialists involved in your wellness plan, such as a pelvic floor specialist, lactation consultant, housekeeper, and so on.

Keep a list of the small things you like handy to feed your mind and soul, such as movies, music, books, and hobbies.

Dr. Pranjali believes that women need the same level of postpartum care as newborns. In order for women to provide essential care such as making eye contact, swaddling, and frequent feeding they must also receive nurturing and support themselves. We should not convey the message that we do not need assistance during this postpartum phase.

FAQs on The Fourth Trimester: How Baby Adjusts to Life Outside the Womb?

How do newborns adapt to life outside of the womb?
After a few weeks, you will notice your baby sleeping for longer periods of time. Although it takes some time for them to learn to sleep longer at night, they will start feeding more frequently as their tummies develop. Additionally, you will see your baby interacting with you more, cooing and gurgling for extended periods of time.
At what stage can a baby survive outside the womb?
By the time you are 24 weeks pregnant, the baby has a possibility of survival if born. Most infants born before this period are unable to survive because their lungs and other essential organs have not grown enough. Because of the improved care available in infant (neonatal) facilities, an increasing number of babies delivered prematurely survive.