Week 9

What your baby is doing

Smiles, coos & social bids

Social smiling typically emerges 6–8 weeks; cooing around 8–10. They are inviting you into conversation. Reply — pauses included.

Source: CDC — Developmental Milestones (2022 revision)

Your healing body

Cleared to move — gently

The 2025 Canadian Postpartum Guideline (BJSM) recommends accumulating ≥120 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (brisk walking + muscle-strengthening, including lower-back targeted work) for meaningful health gains. Starting MVPA in the first 12 weeks — once incisions/tears have healed and bleeding doesn't increase with activity — is linked to improved mental health. Keep daily pelvic-floor training.

Source: Davenport et al., BJSM 59(8), 2025 — 2025 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep throughout the Postpartum Period

General info — not personalised medical advice.

Maternal mind

PPD vs baby blues

If low mood, hopelessness, intrusive thoughts or anxiety persist past 2 weeks, that's not baby blues — that's perinatal mood disorder, and it's treatable. Screen with EPDS; ask for help.

Source: O'Hara & Wisner, Best Practice & Research Clin OB/GYN 28 (2014) — Perinatal mental illness

You & baby

Co-regulation is the curriculum

Your baby's nervous system is still using yours as a thermostat. Carrying calms infants automatically — heart rate drops, crying stops (Esposito 2013).

Source: Esposito et al., Current Biology 23 (2013) — Infant calming response to carrying

For your partner

Paternal/non-birthing parent depression

Around 10% of new fathers experience postnatal depression, with rates ~25% when their partner is also depressed (Paulson & Bazemore, JAMA 2010). Check in honestly — both ways.

Source: Paulson & Bazemore, JAMA 303 (2010) — Prenatal & postpartum depression in fathers

Milk, bottles & beyond

Supply is set on demand

Milk is made on a removal system, not a storage system (Mohrbacher). If supply concerns arise — see an IBCLC before adding bottles or pumps.

Source: Mohrbacher, Breastfeeding Answers Made Simple (2010)

Infant sleep this week

Melatonin in night milk

Human milk contains a clear melatonin circadian rhythm — highest at night (Oliveira 2024). Night nursing is part of how babies learn to sleep at night.

Source: Oliveira et al., Nutrients 16 (2024) — Circadian rhythm of melatonin in human milk

60-second prompt

What part of you is grieving?

Matrescence often holds a quiet grief for the self you were. Naming it is not ingratitude — it's integration.