Dads and partners want to be involved. Here are just a handful of helpful ways to dig in and be effective after baby arrives.
1. Changing baby when they wake at night before a feeding.
-Allows mom to pee
-Allows mom to reposition/ gather pillows for nursing or prep bottle
2. Taking a fed baby to burp after feeding and soothe to sleep.
*Somewhat the opposite of the suggestion above.
-Allows mom to get back to sleep quicker.
Doing either of the above helps during the overnight hours to maximize sleep and feeding efficiency.
3. Bring water to mom while nursing or feeding baby. More water is always beneficial. It’s a small thing that has a big impact on her supply (if nursing), energy levels, and overall wellness.
4. Pick up one of the night time feedings. Chunk the night into a first shift and second shift. One goes to bed early while the other manages baby duties and switch during the middle of the night until the morning “get ready for work” time. Figure out which shift is most conducive to maximizing each of your sleep/get ready cycles.
5. Listen. Listen and repeat back, validate. Emotions are running high. For you and your partner. Helping to really HEAR your partner can go a long way in bonding during this postpartum time versus pushing each other away.