Expecting soon? The six weeks after birth (often called the fourth trimester) can feel intense, beautiful, and a little chaotic. Here’s how to prepare with confidence — from evidence-based info to simple home comforts.
1) Get informed (the kind, practical way)
Balanced information is the best antidote to overwhelm. Before baby arrives:
- Know your support team: midwife, postnatal ward number, GP surgery, and your Health Visitor contact details.
- Bookmark trusted guidance: safe sleep basics (a firm, flat sleep space), infant feeding helplines, and local breastfeeding/feeding support groups.
- Make a tiny “what’s normal?” list: post-birth bleeding, when to seek help, cluster feeding, baby’s nappies/poos in the first week.
Tip: Pop these into your phone notes so your partner can access them quickly at 2 am.
2) Sort food & home set-up (future you will thank you)
Birth and feeding are demanding. Give your body an easy runway:
- Freezer stash: batch-cook meals (soups, stews, pasta sauces). Add protein-rich snacks (yoghurt, cheese, nuts, eggs).
- Hydration stations: keep water bottles and easy snacks by the sofa, bed, and feeding chair.
- Night-time “nappy basket”: nappies, wipes, muslins, spare vest, and a soft baby blanket.
Comfort add-ons from The Baby Den: a supportive nursing pillow for feeds and contact naps; breathable swaddle wraps & blankets to help settle newborns calmly.
3) Build your support circle (and set gentle boundaries)
Visitors are lovely — in small, helpful doses. Decide ahead of time:
- Who’s your “first call” list? Partner, a practical friend, nearby family member.
- House rules: short visits, text before coming, hands washed, and please bring food not flowers.
- Task list by the kettle: unload dishwasher, hang washing, make tea, walk the dog. People genuinely want to help.
4) Hygiene & recovery kit (for you and baby)
A tiny basket makes recovery care simpler:
- For you: maternity pads, comfortable pants, peri bottle or gentle shower, pain relief as advised, nipple balm if feeding, and a phone charger on a long cable.
- For baby: nappies, cotton pads/water or wipes, muslin cloths, and a soft layer for warmth.
Out and about soon? In the UK, bulky coats are not recommended in car seats. Try our car seat blankets — the blanket is placed in the seat first (with the harness straps threaded through the openings), baby is then safely fastened with the harness directly against them, and the blanket wraps over or stays open depending on the temperature.
5) Gentle movement, lots of rest (and when to do more)
For most parents, the fourth trimester is about healing and bonding, not workouts.
- Early days: think short, slow walks around the house or garden, deep breathing, and pelvic floor squeezes if comfortable.
- After your postnatal check: discuss activity with your GP/midwife; consider a pelvic health physiotherapist for tailored guidance (especially after C-section, assisted birth, or if you suspect diastasis/pelvic floor symptoms).
- Be kind: fatigue comes in waves — rest wins over “bouncing back”.
A tiny newborn kit that actually gets used
- Swaddle wrap or light blanket: our Newborn Swaddle Blanket comes in breathable muslin or cosy bouclé outer with muslin lining — warm and airy for calm naps.
- Nursing pillow: supports feeding positions and comfy cuddles.
- Muslin cloths: for feeds, burps, spills and on-the-go shade.
- Play mat/soft space: a gentle surface for tummy time when you’re ready.
Final thoughts
You don’t need a huge haul — just a few newborn essentials that support feeding, rest and warmth. Focus on breathable natural fabrics, simple systems at home, and a small circle of practical support. You’ve got this.
