Welcome back!
1. Becoming a good lover takes time. So does becoming a good father. Donating sperm may have been easy, but fatherhood can be a lot more rewarding. Be patient with yourself and enjoy the process.
2. Diaper duty earns big points. So does feeding, rocking, and bathing your baby. Any hands-on fathering will be a big help to your partner and your baby.
3. Your wife will be herself again. Yes, she is probably on duty 24 hours a day with baby on the brain. No, she probably isn”™t much fun right now. But life will return to normal as the three of you adjust to your new situation.
4. Your wife still needs you. Stay nearby and be patient. You may not recognize the woman you partnered up with 9 or 10 months ago, but she is still in there.
5. You will have sex again. With your wife. Given a little time, you can resume some of your more enjoyable husbandly duties.
6. Postpartum disorders are no one”™s fault. It is normal for new moms to experience some sort of postpartum mood disorder. It”™s not your fault, or hers either. Some symptoms are temporary. All are treatable.
7. Sleep helps. Your wife is probably getting a fraction of the sleep she used to. You may be on the light side as well. Helping each other get more sleep is one of the most important things you can do to help everyone feel better.
8. Trust your instincts. Different “experts”, including the guy in line at the grocery store, will tell you to handle your baby a different way. Trust yourself, your wife and your baby to tell you what you need to know.
9. Your baby needs to play with you. Here is a case where having fun is the right thing. Playing stimulates your baby”™s mind and body to develop in healthy ways. You may feel more playful right now than your wife, so go for it.
10. Learn when to ask for help. Life can be stressful with a new baby. It should get easier with time. If things get worse, or simply don”™t improve, it is time to ask for help. Check out www.Mommy-Muse.com for information and great resources.
-
Postpartum Survival Strategies: Sleep, Part One Did you know that it is possible to predict postpartum depression by calculating how much a new mother slept in the last part of pregnancy, immediately after delivery and the first few postpartum days? Low levels of sleep equal a high likelihood of depression in nearly everyone. Considering that a...... -
Getting Baby to Sleep (finally)! On a recent episode of The Mommy-Muse Is In: Empowering Your Journey into Motherhood, I discussed the all important issue of getting your baby to sleep with Karen Pollak of Babies2Sleep.com. This perinatal counselor and sleep coach was quick to point out that there is a "magic ten week mark"...... -
Postpartum Survival Strategies: Sleep, Part Two In Postpartum Survival Strategies: Sleep, Part One, I left off with the question: "Are you able to sleep when presented with the opportunity?" What happens if the answer is no? Good question. I personally like to start with natural approaches and move to medicated approaches only if necessary. ...... -
A Natural Approach to Postpartum Recovery Are you pregnant, have you just had a baby, or do you know a new mother? Do you want to prevent as many postpartum problems as possible? One out of four new mothers who experience mood swings, baby blues, depression or insomnia is prescribed an antidepressant. It is rarely...... -
When Your World Turns Upside Down: Coping Strategies for New Mothers in Difficult Times Our world is changing faster than ever. Disastrous weather, home mortgage crises and a plunging stock market have brought increasing instability to our homes. Pregnant and postpartum new mothers who are already dealing with massive fluctuations in hormones and brain chemistry are among the most at-risk during difficult times.......
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
brilliant advice for new dads! wish my husband read this when my first son was born!
Great advice for new dads!