8 Ways to Include Your Partner After Giving Birth
During pregnancy, it’s all about the mama-to-be. When baby is born, it’s all about the baby! But what about your partner? Your partner may feel a little left out and want to help, but they don’t know how. Here are several ways to include your partner in this wonderful new stage of parenthood.
Make a Family Calendar
Putting together a family calendar will allow you and your partner to stay in tune with appointments, special dates, or upcoming events. Staying connected with each other by using a calendar can help dispel any confusion or frustrations regarding planning. Some smartphones like the iPhone’s calendar app can be connected so that if you add important dates or appointments, your partner’s calendar will automatically update as well!
Talk it Out
Bringing a newborn into the family can be overwhelming and exhausting, not just for mom but for her partner as well. Be sure to keep communicating with your partner and ask how they’re doing, too. Sometimes just talking it out can help connect you two together and learn about what will make your partnership work even better.
Go to Appointments Together
This may not always be possible depending on work schedules, but when feasible, try to include your partner in the baby’s doctor appointments. Your partner will be able to ask the pediatrician any questions they may have, see how baby is growing, and learn valuable healthcare tips from the doctors and nurses so they can better contribute to baby’s care.
Tell Them What You Need
As a new mom, you’re likely going through some kind of recovery post-birth (adoptions have an adjustment period, too!) You may experience a wave of emotions and hormones, and you might feel mentally and/or physically exhausted. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner exactly what you need. Maybe you need a break or need them to take over the next few diaper duties. Or maybe you simply want your partner to hold baby for you while you take a shower. Whatever it is, just let your partner know what you need. However, try to avoid hovering or “being bossy.” Chances are, you’re both learning as you go, so give them a chance!
Help with Feedings
If you’re a breastfeeding mom, you are likely nursing around the clock. Unfortunately, this is a task your partner may not be able to help much with. But if you’re glued to the nursing chair with a nursing pillow and baby wrapped around you for several hours out of the day, your partner can help by bringing you water and snacks (breastfeeding can make you hungry!) or putting on a good show for you to watch while baby feeds. At the beginning, your partner may even be able to help you figure out which positions work best by adjust the pillow and supporting baby for you.
If you’re bottle-feeding, take turns and give your partner a chance to feed baby as well. If you’re pumping, your partner can help by playing with baby to provide you with some peace and quiet while pumping or help with cleaning and washing pumping parts and bottles.
Take on the Night Wakings Together
One of the hardest parts about being a parent is the exhaustion that comes with it. And there’s nothing quite like that newborn-stage exhaustion that comes with the night wakings. Newborn babies need to be fed and changed every few hours around the clock. Even if you’re breastfeeding and the night feeds mainly land on you, your partner can help change the baby before nursing sessions or give you a hand by burping baby after and helping baby get back to sleep.
If you’re bottle-feeding, you and your partner can take turns doing every other feeding or alternating nights. That way, both you and your partner may be able to catch a few more hours of sleep between feedings.
Take a Class Together
You’ve probably seen or heard of “mommy-and-me” classes, but that doesn’t mean that your partner can’t be involved, too! There are many baby and toddler classes out there that include activities such as singing and dancing with baby. These classes also give you opportunities to meet other parents in a group setting—kind of like a new parent support group! Parents can go together; or, let your partner take baby while mom takes a break!
Bonding Time with Baby
Your partner can bond with baby in many ways. Skin-to-skin contact is an excellent bonding activity for newborns, and it’s easy to do. Simply put your baby a diaper, and have your partner lay baby on their bare chest. Your partner can also baby-wear or take baby out for a stroll in the fresh air. Not only is it great for your partner to spend time bonding with baby, but this will allow mom to either rest or spend time with any older children.
Doing a newborn session is also a great way to get both parents involved and capture sweet moments during those first few weeks of life. The Newborn Lady now offers newborn photography packages to families in New Hampshire and the surrounding New England area.
Book today to reserve your spot, or
contact Megan for more information.
Atwell Acres, LLC