The days directly after your baby comes into the world are some of the hardest because you are trying to adjust to a new life on very little sleep. It’s vital during this time that you are there for each other to get you through. Here are just a few suggestions:
Parenting on Female First
Work shifts: Alternate the time each of you spends with your baby. If you choose to take the same shift, you will both want to rest at the same time. It’s likely this will fall at the same time when your baby is at their most alert. Work a schedule that suits you- where you do some time on and some time off while so you can both get some rest in between looking after your baby. You might not see a lot of each other, but the time will pass soon enough.
Keep hydrated: Make sure that you are both getting sufficient fluids throughout the day as this can help with fatigue and concentration. Always have a drink at hand so you can take regular sips and a make sure your partner does too.
Ensure you are both eating well: It’s important that you are both putting slow release energy foods into your body so you can handle the around the clock care your baby requires. If you fall into the habit of ordering in take out- this peaking and troughing of high energy foods, poor quality foods will make you feel even more exhausted. Take turns with the cooking so it doesn’t fall to one person.
Discuss your visiting patterns together: Talk about how many people you want around at one time and when. The last thing your partner needs to have people land on your doorstep because you arranged something without your knowledge and vice versa. Some days you won’t feel like having visitors and that’s ok so be honest with each other. Most people know that you need a couple of weeks to get your head around things and not to visit too soon after the event.
Talk to each other: This is a strange time for both of you so it’s vital that you share how you’re feeling with one another. Whatever is going through you head is probably normal for every other parent so offload your thoughts and emotions, so you know where each other is at and you can spot the signs early if one or both of you aren’t coping and need to ask for extra helps from friends and family.
Share as much as you can equally: Obviously this will differ when one of you goes back to work but while you are both off together it falls to both of you to get things done like nappy changing, feeding, laundry and cleaning- to name a few.
Reassure each other: You won’t know exactly what to do straight away as you are learning on the job but make sure you recognise the efforts you are both making to be the best parents you can and verbalise that to one another.
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