Did you know that Men also face Baby blues?
Yes, it is true. Even men face emotional imbalance after their partner's delivery.
Baby blues are for a short duration. It is as common in men as in women. We undergo a lot of physical and emotional changes from pregnancy to delivery but, that doesn't mean our partners won't be affected by it. When it comes to parenting, the father is as important as a mother and shares equal responsibility.
One may ask, why would men have baby blues. Women are the ones who have to feed and be with the baby all the time. There are many reasons why men suffer from baby blues. Not every man goes through this and not every man is able to handle it and even he needs help. Remember asking or seeking help doesn't make you any less of a person.
Some of the reasons for baby blues in men
Unfortunately, many men laugh off the idea of paternal postpartum depression. And even if they accept it’s the real deal, they might not admit it’s affecting them.
He suddenly feels all the attention is shifted to the baby and the mother.
He might feel lonely because of the above reason.
He might be overwhelmed by becoming a father.
Not all men are able to express their emotions. Some men struggle to express how they feel.
They also look for appreciation.
They start thinking about finances.
They don't know how to help their partners with baby chores. Some men do know but some do not know.
Concerns about being a good parent
Trouble in bonding with the baby. Like some women, even men can have trouble bonding with the baby.
There could be more reasons depending upon the individual. I still do not understand many things about my partner but, I realized not everyone is able to express themselves the same way as we expect them to.
Some of the signs to look out for -
Anger, irritability, or aggression.
Loss of interest in work or favorite activities.
Working all the time.
Acting distant or withdrawing from family and friends.
Feeling frustrated, discouraged, or cynical.
Feeling sad, hopeless, or overwhelmed.
Men who have a history of depression might be at greater risk of postpartum depression. So are new fathers whose partners also have postpartum symptoms.
It is slightly easier for mothers to bond with their babies for obvious reasons. For a father, it becomes even more difficult.
Fathers have to put more effort into bonding with the baby, spend some time playing with them, holding them, making them sleep, talking to them, this also helps the mother to get some rest. This also makes family time. Even a father has to take care of himself so that the initial days after delivery becomes easier for both the parents.
Self-care basics for a Father-
Eat well.
Exercise or practice Yoga.
Rest (yeah, we know, but grab a nap when you can get one).
Avoid drinking, gambling, and other reckless behaviors.
Talk about your feelings — whether it’s with your partner, parent, sibling, or friend (or anyone who will listen without judgment)
Fatherhood is a huge new job, with long hours and no pay, and it is completely okay to seek help.
No human can perform all the tasks on their own, everyone needs some kind of assistance or help.
Asking for help doesn’t mean you’re helpless
Parenting involves both father and mother. A child needs both. A child has a different bond with each parent. The health of the father is equally important as that of a mother. Parenting becomes a beautiful journey when it is done together joyfully.
Every day is not the same, every challenge is not the same but, things get better. As the days pass, you become better and better at handling things. Take care, spread your love, you will feel great!
Happy Fatherhood
