TIPS FOR MOTHERS TO PREPARE NEW DADS FOR THE NEWBORN ROLLER-COASTER RIDE.
- Men are really in for a shock when their partner has a baby. They are no longer the centre of the universe and all attention and affection is redirected to the new family member. Soften the blow by giving your partner some conscious attention during the newborn stage.
- Men don’t understand women’s hormones at the best of times so unless he’s an endocrinologist, don’t expect your partner to understand what a full-on hormonal roller coaster you are on in those first postnatal weeks. Men are terrible mind readers. JUST TELL HIM what you are going through. Don’t expect the poor bugger to guess.
- My mantra for a happy marriage is: “You get what you settle for”, so don’t settle for your partner taking only a week off work after the baby is born and spending three of those nights out with his mates. Don’t settle for your partner planning a fishing trip two weeks after your due date. Lay down the ground rules before the baby is born.
- And here are the ground rules that he needs to know:
- You need him to take as much time off work as possible
- You need him to allow you to live in a mothering cocoon for at least a month so you can lavish attention on your newborn and establish breastfeeding, which means he’s responsible for everything else: housework, washing, cooking, grocery shopping.
- You’ll need him to beat a path between home and the chemist for anything you need, such as nipple cream, maternity pads, breast pads, breast pumps, bottles and sterilising equipment.
- You need to tell him that you need his unconditional love, which includes those extra 15 kilos you put on.
- Your mother is not a substitute for a good father. Tell him that HE needs to be there for you and for your baby.
Source: Dr. Sonia
Source
January 18, 2012
