Your Baby Week 3
Congratulations! Your baby is entering their third week of life. They may have slept for most of the first two weeks, but you have probably noticed that they seem to be more alert and spend more time awake each and every day.
By week three, it’s probably time for your newborn’s first doctor visit since they came home from the hospital. These visits are usually referred to as “well visits”. At this particular visit, their length and weight will be measured, which will be fun to compare to their birth weight and length. Also, their soft spot will be checked as well as their heart and lungs. If you see your physician pull out a stethoscope, don’t worry, this is a normal procedure.
Three is the magic number
Colic. What is it and how do you know if your baby is suffering from it? Colic is defined as a baby crying non-stop at least three hours a day, three days a week and for at least three weeks. Most parents of babies with colic would love for their babies to cry only three hours a day, because in reality, colicky babies cry much more than three hours a day. It can be nonstop, almost every day of the week.
Colicky babies cry and cry, even when they are dry, fed, and burped. As the parent of a colicky baby, just remind yourself that there may just be no consoling him. With this in mind, please make time for yourself. You will be useless at feeding time or diaper changes if you haven’t slept yourself. Take time for a nap or reach out for support from family, friends, or a professional, like a doula or baby nurse, even if it is only to vent. It’s important. If all of your baby’s basic needs have been met, don’t feel guilty if you leave them in their bassinet or crib to cry for awhile while you take a timeout to regroup.
Has your baby smiled yet?
While it’s important not to get caught up in the “whose baby does what first” game, it is fun to notice any new milestones that they reach. Babies who are three weeks old may be exhibiting their first smile or they may be making their first sounds (other than crying). See if you can notice any cooing this week, or in the coming weeks. Also, during tummy time, have they held their head up at a 45 degree angle?
How are you feeling?
This is the happiest time of your life, right? This is what you've been waiting for…so why do you feel so sad? You may have heard people mention “The Baby Blues” which refers to a state of heightened emotion after you give birth in which you may cry more easily than is usual for you, or you may have trouble sleeping, you may feel irritable, sad, or on edge. More than 80% of women report feeling blue immediately after birth, so if you feel this way, you aren’t alone, and it is perfectly normal.
Sometimes, these feelings last more than a few days. Postpartum depression is a more severe form of depression that can develop within the first six months after giving birth. Feelings such as sadness, anxiety, and restlessness can be so strong, that they interfere with daily tasks.
Though it isn’t known for sure what causes postpartum depression, some medical professionals believe hormones play a big role. During your pregnancy, two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, increased greatly, but in the first 24 hours after delivery, they rapidly drop back to their non-pregnant levels. This fast change in hormone levels can lead to depression.
You should contact your healthcare provider if:
- you have mood swings or feel depressed for more than a few days after the birth of your baby;
- you feel you are unable to cope with daily activities in your life like caring for your newborn or other children;
- you have strong feelings of depression or anger 1-2 months after childbirth;
- you have trouble sleeping; or
- you have suicidal thoughts.
Please remember that if you experience any of these symptoms, you aren’t alone and support is available to you. Counseling, antidepressants, and hormone therapy are three examples of effective treatments available to you, should you experience postpartum depression.
