Thirteen years ago, when the nurses handed me my first baby, I remember thinking, Wait… y’all are just gonna let me leave? With a whole-ass human? I don’t know shit about newborns! I fully expected some kind of test—like a car seat check, but for parenting. Spoiler alert: no one gave me a test. They wheeled me to the hospital exit, waved, and sent me into the wild with a tiny, screaming, milk-drunk bundle of confusion.
And if you’re reading this thinking, Oh my god, that’s going to be me, then welcome. You are officially in the Fourth Trimester—three months of sleep deprivation, hormonal roller coasters, and a love so big it might break your heart. Let’s talk about how to survive it.
Sleep (Or Lack Thereof)
First things first—newborn sleep is weird. Your baby doesn’t know day from night, and their little stomachs can’t hold much milk, so they wake up constantly. This is normal. It’s not because they’re broken or because you’re doing something wrong. Learning about normal newborn sleep (like in our Newborn Sleep Webinar) can help you adjust expectations and stop googling “Why won’t my baby sleep?” at 2 AM in a sleep-deprived panic.
Feeding: You and Baby Are Both Learning
Breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, combo feeding—it’s all a learning curve. No matter how you feed your baby, give yourself grace. It takes time to figure out latch positions, bottle preferences, and what the hell cluster feeding even means. And yes, it’s totally normal to feel like a human milk machine. Need support? Legacy Lactation is your best friend when it comes to breastfeeding because feeding your baby should not be a solo struggle.
You’re Healing, Too
No one talks enough about how much postpartum recovery sucks. You just birthed a whole human, and now you’re expected to keep them alive while your body is leaking from multiple places? Unreal. Prioritize rest, eat snacks like a toddler, and accept help. Seriously. Take the damn meal someone offers.
You’re Not Alone
The fourth trimester can feel isolating, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you need support, our Certified Postpartum Doulas at Uptown Doula are here to help. You can also check out our newborn care class for hands-on guidance to help you feel more confident. You got this, even when it doesn’t feel like it. And remember—every new parent is just making it up as they go.You got this, even when it doesn’t feel like it. And remember—every new parent is just making it up as they go.
