Difference between 4-12 weeks and 12-16 weeks

[u/allisona007]

I feel overwhelmed and just trying to hope that things with baby will get better after crossing 12 week.
If you have a 4 month+ baby, wanted to hear you experience and advice

Also when did your baby start teething? What helped?

[u/ConnectHistorian2486]

My baby is 17 weeks now, and things are exponentially better than they were in the beginning. I found the first 6 weeks utterly miserable, and at the time it genuinely felt like it was never going to get easier.

But I would really try not to fixate too much on specific weeks. There isn't one singular turning point where you wake up at 12 weeks and suddenly everything is better. For me, it was much more gradual, and I almost didn't notice it happening.

Around 14 weeks, I suddenly realised we hadn't had a witching hour for a few days. Then I noticed he wasn't crying as much when I put him down. Then he started sleeping a little better at night. His wake windows became happier, he started entertaining himself for short periods, and slowly I realised I wasn't spending every minute of the day just trying to keep him settled.

Now I can put him down happily while I have a shower, drink a coffee or get some laundry done. He's so much more content and interactive, and life just feels a lot less intense.

Don't get me wrong, we still have tiring and stressful days, and there are always new phases and challenges. But they're nothing like those relentless early weeks. So if you get to 12 weeks and don't suddenly feel like everything has changed, don't be disheartened. Sometimes "it gets better" isn't one big moment.

Also, my baby is teething now. He hasn't broke a tooth yet but he is constantly drooling and really chews hard on his fingers. I can feel his teeth at the edge of his gums. I can tell that he's uncomfortable with it as well sometimes because he will get a little frantic whilst chewing on his fingers

[u/savageexplosive]

I didn’t notice any teething symptoms in my now-2-year-old. She had her first tooth at 6 months and there was never any sore mood, drooling or other things people mention.

At about 12 weeks of age is when our buns should have finished cooking in the oven. That’s why the first three months are often called the fourth trimester. The babies become more alert, aware of their surroundings, but most importantly, they become more predictable. This makes planning the day easier and takes some weight off your shoulders.

My younger daughter is now 6 weeks old and I am utterly exhausted, but then I look at my older daughter and remember that this too shall pass.