Milestones for Your Developing Baby and How to Support Them

Pregnancy is a miraculous journey marked by significant milestones for both the mother and the baby.

In this in-depth guide, we explore the key developmental milestones for your baby during each trimester and offer practical advice to optimise your wellbeing.

First Trimester: Weeks 1-12

Baby’s Development

• Weeks 1-4: Fertilisation and implantation
• Weeks 5-8: Formation of the neural tube, vital organs, and the heartbeat begins
• Weeks 9-12: Limbs begin to develop, and facial features start to form

How to Support Your Wellbeing

• Nutrition: A diet rich in folic acid is essential at this stage to help prevent neural tube defects. Incorporate leafy greens and fortified cereals into your diet.
• Lifestyle: Quit smoking and restrict caffeine to enhance embryo implantation and reduce miscarriage risk.
• Mindset: Stress management techniques like deep breathing or prenatal yoga can help you adapt to hormonal changes.
• Supplements: Consider a quality prenatal supplement containing Folic Acid (we recommend Folate, which is the more bioavailable form of Folic Acid), iron and choline, as well as a Vitamin D supplement.

Second Trimester: Weeks 13-26

Baby’s Development

• Weeks 13-16: Bones and muscles begin to form, and the baby starts to move
• Weeks 17-20: Baby's hearing develops, and skin begins to form
• Weeks 21-26: Rapid weight gain, eyelids open, and lung development begins

How to Support Your Wellbeing

• Nutrition: Protein and calcium are crucial now for the baby's growing bones and muscles. Consider dairy products and lean meats or plant based protein and calcium sources to your diet.
• Lifestyle: Incorporate moderate exercise like walking or swimming to improve circulation and mood.
• Mindset: This is a good time for prenatal classes to connect with your baby and prepare for birth.
• Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the baby's brain development at this stage. Alongside this, continue taking a high quality prenatal for the second trimester, containing vitamin C, calcium and magnesium.

Third Trimester: Weeks 27-40

Baby’s Development

• Weeks 27-30: Continued rapid growth, eyes open and close, and lung development progresses
• Weeks 31-34: Baby gains more weight, and fat accumulates under the skin
• Weeks 35-40: Baby's lungs mature, and it shifts into the head-down position for birth

How to Support Your Wellbeing

• Nutrition: Iron and fibre are vital now to prevent anaemia and digestive issues. Consider adding in more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet.
• Lifestyle: Limit strenuous activities and focus on getting adequate rest.
• Mindset: Begin mental preparation for labour through relaxation techniques and positive visualisation.
• Supplements: A high quality prenatal supplement for the third trimester containing iron and zinc. We also recommend a pregnancy specific probiotic, as well as psyllium husk fibre to act as a food source to the probiotic bacteria.

By understanding the key developmental milestones during each trimester, you can tailor your nutritional, lifestyle, and mental wellbeing strategies to provide the best support for both you and your baby. As always, consult your healthcare provider for personalised advice.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice.