Before baby is born, you and your partner excitedly anticipate your little one's arrival. You talk about names and pick out paint colors for the nursery, ready and excited to take on this new adventure together. And then, the big day arrives and everything changes.
Going from a wild-and-free duo to a sleep-deprived trio is a major shift. And it looks different for all parents. Maybe you are dealing with PPD after giving birth and feeling unable to connect. Or maybe your partner had to go back to work right after you brought baby home and feels like they are missing out on bonding. While the details may very, there's often a common thread: stress on your partnership. But there are ways to navigate the new territory more gracefully.
You and your partner are a team from day one. They are your biggest supporter and champion. But emotions can run high when no one is sleeping and everyone is adapting to their new world. It’s better to be proactive than reactive when it comes to preparing for parenthood, and the same goes for your relationship. Here are a few ways you can maintain your connection with your partner during those hazy newborn days:
Go on a babymoon
Even if it’s just a weekend at an Airbnb in town! Dedicate intentional time together before baby arrives to connect and share your hopes, expectations, and concerns for when the baby arrives. And make sure to enjoy each other as much as possible while you're at it! Later when you’re feeling like you want to pull your hair out after a night of cluster-feeding, you can scroll through the pictures and reignite those happy memories.
RELATED: 6 Things to Discuss With Your Partner Before Baby Arrives
Set aside time for daily check-ins
Stress from work, family drama, or a fussy baby can leave you feeling overwhelmed and emotional. Set aside some time to share what’s on your mind and any frustrations or worries you might have so you can encourage each other and feel like you're both in it together.
Show your gratitude
Make an intentional effort to encourage your partner throughout the day by specifically calling out when they do things you're grateful for such as cooking a meal, emptying the dirty diaper pail, or filling your water bottle while baby nurses. Small kindnesses go a long way as well—like picking up a surprise coffee or offering to be on baby duty so your partner can take a nap.
Don’t skimp on physical touch
Trust us, as a team full of moms, we get it—no one feels more touched-out than a parent with a new baby. We’ve been there. But as important as physical touch and skin-to-skin contact with baby is, it’s also important for your relationship with your partner. Small, simple touches—a quick kiss, a short back rub, or holding hands as you walk into the grocery store—can help you feel connected throughout the day.
Put down the phone
It can be tempting to fall into bed at night and wind down with some mindless IG scrolling. But when you are paying attention to your electronics instead of your spouse, it can create resentment. Try to be intentional about spending quality time with each other before bed instead of getting sucked into your personal screens. Even if you don’t have the energy to have an actual conversation, watching a show or movie you both like will allow you to feel more connected than scrolling through separate devices.
