Everything You Need to Survive the 4th Trimester

So many mamas, like myself, are totally wrecked during the fourth trimester because they aren’t prepared. The first few months after birth are hard. Like REALLY hard. This 4th trimester checklist will be your holy grail of of items that will make the transition so much smoother.

4th Trimester Checklist

| For Mama |

Please know that taking care of yourself is one of the top priorities right now. I know you have this sweet, new baby who is reliant on you for everything. It feels like your baby should be first. But the truth is, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of your baby. Think about it.

The 4th trimester is hard and full of sleepless nights, showerless days and Friends reruns on TV. You don’t need to make it harder by not eating, sleeping or taking care of yourself. The dishes, laundry and everything else can wait. Instead, stock up on these items to be your best self for you and baby.

Postpartum Healing

Regardless of how your baby is delivered (c-section or vaginally) you will still have vaginal bleeding and discharge. So start by stocking up on large pads. The first few days to a week, your bleeding will be heavy. It will slowly lessen until 6-8 weeks after delivery when it stops all together. Grab some different sizes to accommodate each stage of bleeding.

Before you go crazy stocking up on your postpartum pads, I’ll let you in on a secret. Take everything from the hospital. You don’t need to spend a lot of your own money because nurses are happy to provide it all for you. The pads, undies, and ice packs – take it all and ask for more. I’m not usually a wasteful person, but in this case, it’s better to have it and not need it. You can always return it. (Seriously, keep the receipt and anything unopened can go back to the store.)

Also, grab yourself some comfy undies. The mesh ones from the hospital are great but will fall apart. You just put yourself through the wildest and most beautiful thing, enjoy and be comfortable in your undies. You can’t go wrong with these boybrief undies or high waisted undies. These Target undies are a great option too and normally on sale.

Here are some other items you can’t go wrong on.

Water Bottle

Breastfeeding makes you SO thirsty. It’s your hormones and body’s way of getting you to drink lots of water to make breastmilk. Even if you aren’t nursing, water is so so important to aid in your recovery. Hydration is generally good for you (postpartum or not) for body function, healthy skin, mentally clarity and so much more.

Grab a large water bottle to keep beside you at all times. Heck, grab two, so you can keep one in your breastfeeding essentials kit by your nursing station. Staying hydrated is easier when it’s convenient.

Comfy Clothes

As I write this, I’m 6 months postpartum and still don’t fit into my jeans. That’s okay! There is no reason to be anything but comfortable as you navigate the fourth trimester and beyond. Whatever comfort looks and feels like to you, grab some of these items. You will want to be as comfortable as possible. Plus, if you have a few extra clothes, that’s less often you have to do laundry.

Aerie has really cute, comfy and affordable loungewear. Target is also a great place to look for comfy postpartum gear.

Food and Drinks

You’re tired, your baby never leaves your arms and you’re starving. You will never be hungrier than you are during the 4th trimester. Meal prep some hearty and healthy meals ahead of time. (Healthy means whole and well-rounded. Carbs, veggies and fats are all needed to heal and feed your baby.)

Stock up on snacks and drinks that you can quickly grab if you haven’t cooked or are stuck under a sleeping baby. If you are stuck under a sleeping baby as you read this, now is a good time to have Amazon Prime. (Get a 30-day free trial here.) Order your favorite snacks right to your door. Have a fun balance of nuts, Debbie Cakes, protein bars, and other foods to keep you going.

Pre or Postnatal

You know the importance of taking your prenatal when you’re pregnant. What most women don’t know is that it’s just as important to take one postnatal.

Your body used a lot of its resources to grow a healthy baby. Its also working overtime to heal your body from delivery. If you are nursing, add feeding another human on top of all of that. Getting all of your vitamins in nutrients from food is possible, but you’d have to make it your full time job.

Adding a prenatal or postnatal vitamin after birth is recommended for at least six months postpartum. Ritual has a postnatal vitamin option that you can subscribe to. Getting your vitamins in the mail makes it super easy.

| For Baby |

The 4th trimester is just as hard for baby as it is for mama. Baby has entered this bright, new, cold world and is in total shock. It’s an adjustment from her comfortable home she’s had for the past nine months. These items will make the transition easier. Include them on your registry to prepare ahead of time.

Swaddles

Swaddling blankets are adorable. They are also for professionals. The problem is babies love it. It’s like being snug and cozy in the womb. It also lessens the startle reflex, which will repeatedly wake them up if not swaddled. l Safe yourself the hassle of trying to swaddle your baby Houdini by buying swaddles.

Enter the swaddle. The SwaddleMe is a safe blanket that easily velcros to keep baby snug. The Love to Dream swaddle is nice. When it’s time to let baby free, they also have a 50/50 transition swaddle. This makes transitioning so much easier.

White Noise Machine

White noise is another thing that reminds baby of the womb. Your baby is used to sound. Between your digestion, heartbeat and outside sounds, your womb was really loud. It will be hard for baby to sleep in the quiet. White noise helps baby feel comfort in the noise she’s used to. It’s also really helpful to drown out noise that would otherwise wake baby.

The Hatch is a noise machine that can be controlled from your phone. You can program nap and bedtimes. It can be used as a nightlight. Plus, a “wake-up” feature that lights up when your toddler can get out of bed, allowing it to grow with baby.

On the go, The Happiest Baby on the block has really great noise options you can play from Apple Music.

Baby Carrier

Baby is going to want held a lot. AKA all the time. By you, mama. You are the only comfort baby knows to feel safe and secure. She knows your smell. Your heartbeat that she heard in the womb makes her feel safe when she hears it now. You’re her food source.

This is really sweet, but it’s also very hard. You have other things you need and want to do. You might have other kids or want to shower or eat. Give baby the comfort she needs with a baby carrier, while getting your two hands to yourself.

There are a lot of baby carrier options out there. They vary from style to price to functionality. Here is a list of the best, most affordable carriers out there. My favorite is the MobyFit. It’s super easy to use and both of my kids lived in it during the first few months.

Baby Cream

Baby’s skin is so fresh and new. It’s prone to things like baby acne, rashes and eczema. It’s nice to have some remedies on hand. Baby acne will solve on its own as your hormones from pregnancy work their way out of baby. But diaper rash is something you want to stay ahead of by keeping baby’s bottom dry. Use cream as necessary to heal rashes.

Cradle cap can resolve on it’s own but usually needs an intervention. Use a special cradle cap brush and add lotion to break up the scales. Lastly, baby eczema plagues a lot of fresh baby skin. Keep her moisturized to help the itch and rashes. Studies also show that keeping baby’s skin hydrated now can lessen irritations and skin issues in the future.

As always, when it comes to baby skin, use products with the least amount of irritants.

| For Breastfeeding |

Pads

Some mamas leak a lot when breastfeeding. Unless you want to walk around with a wet shirt all day, grabbing some nursing pads is key. The reusable ones are awesome, but grab a pack of disposable pads in case you don’t get to the laundry.

Haakaa

If you are leaky mama, chances are you also have a lot of let down that gets lost when baby nurses. For a while, I just used a rag so I wouldn’t leak everywhere when baby nursed. It wasn’t until I got a Haakaa did I realize how much I was wasting.

A Haakaa is also good for treating mastitis, relieving engorged boobs or using in place of a breast pump.

Breast and Nipple Pain

The first few weeks and even months of breastfeeding can be really hard. There are lot of common problems most mamas face during this time. It’s usually normal until you and baby get the hang of it. Until then, there are a lot of products that will soothe and heal sore boobs, chapped nipples and other breastfeeding problems. (If you are having trouble, seek out your pediatrician, hospital, OBGYN or lactation consultant. There’s lots of free help out there for nursing moms.)

Nursing bras

As a nursing mama, you don’t have to go and buy a whole new wardrobe of nursing tank tops and shirts. But having a few nursing bras is a must. For me, comfort is key. These are the most comfortable and affordable nursing bras.

| Conclusion |

If you are wanting the smoothest 4th trimester possible, take note of this fourth trimester checklist. It’s everything you need to help you and baby adjust to your new life.

Just know, mama, that it is only a short period. Love and care for your baby like you will know how to do, take care of yourself as you can and ask for friends and family for help. Order take out and pizza so you don’t have to cook. Wear leggings and sweatpants like it’s your job and try not to read too much online. You’ve got this mama.

Did I miss anything? What was something you couldn’t live without during the 4th trimester? Comment below to help other mamas.

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