Is Your Partner Really Helping? 5 Ways to Survive the Newborn Stage Together

It can also bring sleep deprivation, stress and the occasional argument about who changed the last diaper.

Welcome to the newborn stage.

The good news? Parenting does not have to mean one person doing everything while the other asks, “What can I help with?”

Here are five ways couples can work better as a team.

1. Don’t Wait to Be Asked

One of the easiest ways to support a partner is to notice what needs to be done.

If the laundry basket is overflowing, deal with it.

If bottles need washing, wash them.

If your partner has been holding the baby for hours, offer to take over.

Sometimes the most helpful support is the support that doesn’t require instructions.

2. Share the Nighttime Load

Depending on your family’s feeding arrangements, there may be ways for both parents to share nighttime responsibilities.

Even if one parent is feeding the baby, the other may be able to help with diaper changes, settling or preparing what is needed.

Small contributions can make a big difference when everyone is exhausted.

3. Stop Keeping Score

Parenting is not a competition.

There will be days when one parent does more. There will be days when the other carries more of the load.

Instead of counting who did what, focus on one question:

What does our family need right now?

4. Check In With Each Other

You don’t need a formal meeting.

Try asking:

“How are you doing?”

“Do you need a break?”

“What can I take care of?”

These simple questions can prevent frustration from building up.

5. Remember You’re on the Same Team

The baby may be crying.

You may both be tired.

Dinner may be cold.

But the person standing next to you is probably exhausted too.

A little patience, appreciation and teamwork can go a long way.

You don’t have to be perfect parents. You just have to learn how to parent together.