Helping a newborn transition to life outside the womb

Arriving into the world from a dark, warm womb where they are secure and cosy and never hungry, to being out of the womb, sometimes cold and hungry, understandably feels strange for babies.

When babies are born, the parts of the brain in charge of emotions, planning and motor responses are not yet formed. How they develop depends on the love, comfort and experiences they have in the early weeks (Brink, 2013).

The baby is hardwired to expect constant close attention by a parent or caregiver after birth to survive (Brink, 2013).

Why is it called the fourth trimester?

The fourth trimester refers to the first three months after a baby is born.

Babies are not born as fully developed as some other mammals, and may need a period of adjusting after they are born as if they are in the womb (Brink, 2013; Issacs, 2018).

In reality, the period of adjustment is not just three months, but an ongoing process for the baby. However, after three months, many parents and caregivers feel more settled within their experience.

How can caregivers help this period of adjustment?

When babies feel secure and loved, they release a hormone called oxytocin. This helps their brain grow and develop. Oxytocin is produced in the parent or caregiver, too, making them both feel happy and calm (UNICEF, 2024). 

Babies thrive when held close, handled affectionately, and their needs are responded to with love and warmth (Brink, 2013). Keeping babies close helps the parent or caregiver recognise and attend to the baby’s needs (UNICEF, 2024). Signs such as crying might mean a baby: 

• Is hungry
• Wants to be held and comforted
• Needs their nappy changed
• Is too hot or cold

Cuddling the baby, especially skin-to-skin, means that they can hear their parent or caregiver’s heartbeat and will comfort them. It will also help the mother or birthing parent feel happy and relaxed and can encourage breastfeeding (UNICEF, 2024).

Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding the baby can help soothe them. It can also give both the parent and baby time to relax together (UNICEF, 2024).

Swaddling and baby wearing in the early days can also help them feel soothed and secure (Brink, 2013).

Our article on Bonding with a baby has more information on how parents can form a bond with their baby.

Why do babies cry so much in the first few weeks?

Many babies cry most during the first nine or so weeks of life as they get used to the transition to the world (Issacs, 2018).

Responding to the baby’s needs quickly and lovingly can help the baby feel soothed and safe. This may make life easier for the parent (UNICEF, 2024).

It can feel hard when a baby won’t stop crying. However, holding them can ease their distress, even if it doesn’t happen straight away. Research shows that babies who are comforted become more confident toddlers. They are also less clingy as a result (UNICEF, 2024).

If a baby’s crying becomes overwhelming, it is ok for the parent to put the baby in a safe place such as the cot, and take five minutes to breathe before trying to soothe them again.

What is Matrescence?

All parents experience a profound transition and life change with the birth of a baby.

The term ‘Matrescence’ (mat-res-enz) was coined in the 1970s. It describes the transition that women undergo after having a baby, and the time it takes for this change to happen.

Since then, the concept has become more popular as more is understood about the mother’s brain before and after birth (Athan, 2024). In fact, the transition to motherhood has been likened to adolescence in the way the brain changes through this period (Athan, 2024).

This change is not just in their relationships and their sense of identity, but in the way mothers think (Athan, 2024).

People who do not go through the physical act of childbirth can still experience matrescence, such as non-birthing parents, same-sex couples and intended parents (Bissell et al, 2025).

What is Patrescence?

Research indicates that men also go through a change in their brain structure after having a baby. While not to the same degree as women, the transition is still identifiable and meaningful and is sometimes called patrescence (pat-res-enz) (Paternina-Die et al, 2020).

Research has shown that a loving fatherly relationship has a positive impact on the baby’s development. Fathers who spend more time each day with their baby show lower levels of testosterone (Paternina-Die et al, 2020).

Fathers who are more affectionate have higher levels of the ‘love’ hormone oxytocin and prolactin. This is also true if they show more exploratory parenting behaviours with them. These hormones can strengthen the bond between fathers and their children (Paternina-Die et al, 2020).

How can parents adjust?

Although often a joyful experience, becoming a parent is a huge hormonal and mental shift. It changes the parent’s sense of identity, daily routine and place in society. What’s more, it impacts their sleep and physical activity levels (Saxbe et al, 2018).

Adjusting to becoming a parent and looking after a new baby will take time. It can help to accept offers of help from other people – whether that’s a meal prepared by someone, a friend or family member shopping, or looking after other children or pets.

It can be tempting to try and make babies adapt so the parent can feel more in ‘control’. But responding to a baby's needs during the fourth trimester rather than trying to make them adapt to routine, helps the baby to feel secure and calm. This can help them reduce crying and reduce stress for the parent (UNICEF, 2024).

Attending an NCT Antenatal course means parents meet other parents going through the same experience. This can help them feel more connected and positive about the shared experience. Find an NCT Antenatal course near you.

Our online NCT New Baby course equips new parents with the knowledge and information they need to make the transition to parenthood a bit easier.