By Ann Bacon, Registered Nurse, Chair of WGH Advisory Board
"There is no denying that mothers often have to shoulder a lot of the demands in the newborn phase. Between pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, mothers have a lot to do. This can leave fathers and partners feeling like they are on the sidelines and may feel unclear about how to assume their new role or how they can help. In addition, in some cases, a mother’s protective “mama bear” behavior can unintentionally ostracize those who just really want to help. As you adjust to your new and often unpredictable schedule, there are some easy ways of dividing and sharing the baby care duties (see below). Adding a new baby is a big adjustment to any relationship but by prioritizing open and clear communication with your partner, miscommunications can be avoided, and together you can build a stronger parenting team."
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