Compared to other mammals, humans are much more fragile at birth. That’s why parents need to be in physical contact and providing constant attention to their babies.
Experts believe humans are born 3-4 months earlier than we should be because when primitive women stood up, the shape of their pelvis became more narrow, which resulted in babies being born still needing serious protection from their parents.
Newborns don’t have the brain maturity to deal with the outside world. They depend on their parents for basic survival.
Babies don’t know how to soothe themselves until they are about 4 months old.
In the womb baby is constantly rocked, skin-to-skin, held and their is always noise. This is, to some degree, what a baby needs outside the womb – during the 4th trimester
5’ S’s – Not all babies need all 5 and you’ll find the perfect combo for your baby
Tight swaddling provides constant touch
Left side to help with digestion or on stomach to provide reassuring support. Turn on back for sleep
Make shushing sounds to calm a baby, which imitate the continual whooshing sound made by blood flow in mom
Rocking, swinging movements, car rides, infant swings
Sucking triggers the calming reflexes and releases natural chemicals in the brain
Moms also have their on version of 4th trimester with hormone changes, sleep depravation and stress. So take care of yourself! Your only job is to feed yourself and baby and to rest!
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