3 Ways to Support Your Wife After Birth

Welcoming a new baby into your family often proves equal parts magical and challenging. Life with a newborn is an adjustment, especially for new parents, but your home doesn’t have to become completely unhinged. We offer three ways to support your wife after birth—take care of your whole family throughout this period of growth.

Take Care of the House

Prioritize being home, especially in the first few weeks with your baby. If you have paternity leave, take it. Giving birth takes a toll on the body, but you can make her recovery easier by taking care of things. Do the chores—even her share of them— and take responsibility for cooking and looking after any older children while she spends time with the baby. A clean and happy household makes taking care of a newborn that much easier.

Support Her Recovery

A lot goes on while your wife recovers, so it’s important to help her look after her own health. She might need pain medication, postpartum compression garments, bed rest, or other help as her body heals. Make sure she gets enough sleep by taking turns getting up with the baby at night. Encourage her to take any prescribed pain medications, and ensure she follows other orders from the doctor. It’s easy to prioritize your newborn, but one of the best ways to support your wife after birth is to remind her that her own health is just as important.

Bond with Baby

Of course, you need your time with the baby as well. Let your wife rest while you spend some quality time with your new child. Hold your child—skin-to-skin contact is crucial to their development and bond with you. Talking, singing, and reading to your baby is also great for them, and it’s just plain fun. Becoming a new father can feel scary, and you might not always know what to do—do it anyway. Spending time with your newborn is one of the most important parts of early parenthood, and it lets your wife take a breather while you get to know the newest member of your family.