Being open with your partner, family or friends about how you’re feeling is important. You are probably both feeling overwhelmed and tired. Being there for each other and each allowing the other to have a break, even if it’s to have a bath or shower is important.
Try connecting with other dads or partners. You can support each other and realise that everyone struggles with a new baby.
If you have feelings that are making day-to-day life difficult and or disrupting your relationship with your baby and partner, or if intrusive memories of the birth are distressing and effecting you, reach out for support. You’re not alone or weak. There are support services that can help; we just need to know firstly that you are not feeling ok. You can find information for your mental health at MIND.
If you are struggling with memories or flashbacks around the birth, Make Birth Better have some useful information for partners around the support and interventions available.
Your GP or health visitor can listen to how you are feeling and sign post you to more support.
Families can also access three online courses on coping with stress, communicating better wherever you are in your parenting journey and whether you are in a relationship or separated.
- Arguing better - how to approach disagreements.
- Me, you and baby too - how to navigate the changes that happen in a relationship when a new baby arrives.
- Getting it right for children - how to minimise conflict and the impact it can have on your children when you are separating or have split up.
Visit www.oneplusone.org.uk, select Kent as your area and set up an account with a username and password.
You need a smartphone, tablet or computer and an internet connection to access the courses. They are all free to access.
If these courses raise any concerns please contact your local Health Visiting Team or School Health Team for more support.
Page last reviewed: 01/01/2025, next review due: 01/01/2028