Dear husband of a new mom — this is for you. When I had our first son, I didn’t know what to expect. New babies come with new things, new routines and a new life. To be perfectly fair, neither did my husband.
He didn’t know that I would cry every morning when he left for work. He didn’t know that I would get very little amounts of sleep, because sleeping like a baby is actually NOT a good thing. (Spoiler: babies really don’t sleep very well!)
He didn’t know that I would not fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes — and that it would upset me every day.
He didn’t know that I would be so worried about our new bundle of joy. No, we don’t expect these things, but they are all very normal.
He didn’t know that I would cry every morning when he left for work. He didn’t know that I would get very little amounts of sleep, because sleeping like a baby is actually NOT a good thing. (Spoiler: babies really don’t sleep very well!)
He didn’t know that I would not fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes — and that it would upset me every day.
He didn’t know that I would be so worried about our new bundle of joy. No, we don’t expect these things, but they are all very normal.
Today, I am writing for the husbands of new mothers. Here are some things to help your wife after having a new baby:
- Learn how to deal with the emotional roller coaster.
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Make her feel important.
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Pick up the slack around the house because she will be tired and sore.
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Try to be supportive of the physical pain.
- Electronics comes second. First, be sure that your family has what they need before you sit down to relax.
- Respect her suggestions. She’s not putting you down about how to be a “better parent,” she’s just trying to help.
- Remember that it is completely normal to be emotional after babies are born. She will cry — and so will the baby. Both are normal.
- Do little things for her (fixing her breakfast, making dinner). These little things add up.
- Remind her that she looks beautiful and say it when she least expects it.
- Don’t be upset when your in-laws visit or make suggestions. (They are just trying to help, too.)
- Let her sleep. Maybe you work in the morning, so she wakes up with the baby, but then let her sleep on the weekends or even take a nap in the evenings. Those hours add up.
- Be patient with the baby and try not to feel stressed — it will add stress to everyone else in the family if you do.
- Be happy. The best advice that I have is to be understanding and loving.
- Listen. Sometimes all that we need is a good listener.
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