The Fourth Trimester: How to Support a New Mom During the Early Weeks
Written by Hello, Bundle blog contributor Leslie Matias.
I didn’t have a birth plan. Beyond packing a hospital go bag, knowing where we were delivering, and requesting an epidural, I figured we’d just go with the flow. And honestly? We kind of did. When my water broke, we were vibing to Jack Johnson all day, waiting for our baby’s arrival. My labor ended up being induced, but thankfully, everything went relatively smoothly.
What I didn’t expect… what I didn’t plan for at all… was the fourth trimester.
What Is the Fourth Trimester?
The fourth trimester is the 12-week period immediately following childbirth. It’s a time of incredible change, not just for your newborn, but for your body… your mind, and your soul. It’s when everything shifts: your hormones, your identity, your sleep (or lack thereof), and your entire daily rhythm. While so much attention is given to pregnancy and birth, few people talk about what comes after.
I learned this the hard way.
Those early weeks were beautiful… but also intense, disorienting, and humbling. I wasn’t just learning how to care for a newborn; I was recovering, adjusting, and trying to figure out who I was now that I had a baby in my arms 24/7.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), postpartum recovery encompasses a range of aspects, including physical healing, emotional regulation, relationship adjustments, and mental health. And it deserves just as much preparation and support as labor itself.
Why the Fourth Trimester Deserves More Attention
No one really tells you how much your body will still feel like it’s been hit by a freight train weeks after delivery. Or how feeding a baby… whether you breastfeed or bottle feed… can feel like a full-time job. Or how lonely you might feel even while holding the most loved little person in your world.
The truth is, the fourth trimester is often overlooked, even though it may be the most important part of the postpartum journey.
When my husband returned to work after his short leave, I found myself overwhelmed. So, he hired a postpartum doula to come by a few days a week. She didn’t just help with diaper changes or prep dinner… she also encouraged (okay, pushed) me to take a solo walk around the neighborhood. It was only 15 minutes, but it was the first time I felt like myself again. That walk? It mattered more than I can explain.
How to Support a New Mom During the Fourth Trimester
Whether you’re a partner, friend, sibling, or neighbor, your support can make all the difference. You don’t need to have all the answers—just show up in meaningful, judgment-free ways.
1. Show Up With Help (Not Expectations)
Cook a meal, fold some laundry, pick up groceries, or simply ask what’s needed most. These small acts of service lighten the mental and physical load a new mom is carrying. Hold the baby so she can nap. Bring coffee. Offer to run errands. Even 30 minutes of help can change the tone of her whole day.
2. Create Opportunities for Real Rest
“Sleep when the baby sleeps” sounds great in theory… but in reality, dishes pile up, the dog needs walking, and texts go unanswered. Instead of repeating that phrase, find ways to make true rest possible. Cover a night shift. Take the baby for a walk. Let her shower in peace.
3. Encourage Her Mental Health
The cocktail of sleep deprivation, hormone shifts, and pressure to “enjoy every moment” is overwhelming. Ask her how she’s really doing. Not how the baby’s sleeping—but how she feels. Is she anxious? Tearful? Numb? Let her speak without trying to fix it. If you sense something deeper, gently encourage her to seek professional help.
Postpartum Support International (PSI) is a great place to start… they offer a free helpline, local resources, and virtual support groups for moms during the fourth trimester.
4. Trust Her Instincts
Everyone loves to give advice… but what new moms need most is trust. Whether it’s about feeding, sleep schedules, or how she holds her baby, your job is to back her up, not critique. Let her know she’s doing a good job… because she probably doesn’t hear it enough.
Planning Ahead for the Fourth Trimester
If I could go back, I’d treat the fourth trimester like any other phase of pregnancy… something worth preparing for. You can build a loose postpartum plan that includes:
Meal train sign-ups or frozen dinners
A short list of trusted visitors
Doula or night nurse contact info
Mental health check-ins scheduled ahead of time
Household task delegation
Planning doesn’t mean rigid control. It means support systems are in place so when everything feels upside down, you don’t have to carry it alone.
Let Hello, Bundle Support Your Fourth Trimester
At Hello, Bundle, we know how important it is to have real, compassionate support, not just in birth, but in everything that follows. We help new and expecting parents maximize their parental leave, return to work with confidence, and build practical plans for success at home and on the job.
Our team can walk you through your leave options, create a personalized calendar, and equip you with easy-to-follow resources for this next chapter. Think of us as your postpartum prep partner, so you’re not doing this alone.
You’re Not Alone in the Fourth Trimester
The fourth trimester is raw, beautiful, exhausting, and tender. It’s where transformation happens… not just for the baby, but for the mother, too. With the right support, it can also be a time of deep connection, healing, and growth.
So whether you’re in the thick of it or preparing ahead: let yourself be held. Ask for help. Take the walk. Feel your feelings. And remember, you were never meant to do this alone.
