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Home › Articles › New Dads/Newborn Issues › Postpartum Dad

Postpartum Dad

Supporting Your Partner

By Carma Haley

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Babies have two parents: Mom and Dad. Following labor and delivery, it is important that both parents take an active part in the first few weeks of their new baby's life. This is best accomplished when Mom and Dad work as partners.

After giving birth, however, Mom may not be physically, emotionally or mentally able to be the strong partner and may need Dad's help. There are many things Dad can do to not only help Mom and Baby, but also to help in family relationships.

Maternity Leave – for Dad?
While some mothers do not work outside the home, the United States Census Bureau reports that 62 percent do. Many women will only be able to take a short maternity leave due to their job requirements or financial obligations, but may not want to have to leave their new baby with a sitter or daycare. There is a solution to this dilemma: Daddy.

Many firms now allow fathers to take a leave of absence for the birth of a child.

"It is called paternity leave when Dads do it," says Francine Deutsch, psychology professor and author of Halving It All: How Equally Shared Parenting Works.

While few of the fathers interviewed for Deutsch's book had taken paternity leave, those who did described it as a wonderful experience.

"It seemed to work best when Dad took the paternity leave after Mom's maternity leave was finished, but Mom and Dad taking their leave at the same time works very well, too," says Deutsch. "The transition can be a little rocky, but it offers a great opportunity for men to develop their own relationship with the baby."


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