It takes a village

Having a strong support network is essential for new parents. While you may not know exactly what you'll need, having a general idea can be beneficial. It's also helpful to discuss whether you'll seek assistance from family, friends, or professionals.

Assessing your needs

Physical recovery

Giving birth is both physically and emotionally challenging, so it's important to discuss the support you might need afterward. Recovery can vary depending on whether the delivery is vaginal or cesarean.

While you won't know exactly what your experience will be like, talking to other moms can give you a better idea of what to expect - remember that your experience will be unique.

You might have an easy recovery and not need much support, which is great. Alternatively, you could find that you need physical and emotional help or even professional assistance. Every experience is valid and worth discussing, regardless of how much support you may need.

Emotional support

Becoming parents is a major life change, and it’ll be normal for both of you to feel a range of emotions—joy, love, excitement, anxiety, exhaustion, and even sadness. 

Think about ways to support each other emotionally, whether through deep conversations, giving each other breaks, or seeking help from a therapist if necessary. Remember, you’ll be in this together, and leaning on each other is okay during this adjustment period.

Balancing baby care with household responsibilities

One day, you're just two people sitting on a couch watching TV and the next day, you're responsible for a tiny human. Balancing caring for a newborn with household tasks can be nerve-wracking.

Talk about how you’ll tackle responsibilities like feeding, diapering, and soothing the baby, as well as chores like laundry, cooking, and cleaning. If you have older children, think about their needs too, and consider getting extra help to keep their routines on track.

For our article on how to share parental and household duties, click here.

Types of support to consider

Family & friends

If you have family and close friends nearby, consider their willingness and ability to help with tasks like preparing meals, running errands, or watching the baby while you rest. 

Professional Help

If your budget allows, hiring a postpartum doula, night nurse, or other professionals can provide essential support during the early months of parenthood. Check out our article on this here. You might also explore meal delivery, cleaning, or laundry services to help manage household tasks.

Support groups

If you feel like you might need more emotional support than your friends and family can provide, consider joining a support group for new parents in person or online. These groups offer a space to connect with others going through similar experiences, share advice, and build friendships. It can be comforting to know you’re not alone in the challenges of becoming a new parent.

Adapting to change

Life with a newborn can be unpredictable, and that’s okay! If things don’t go as planned, don’t be hard on yourselves; it’s part of the journey. Your support needs may change over time, and regularly checking in about this with each other will help you navigate this new chapter of your lives with grace and understanding.