The Male’s Role in Dealing with Post Partum Depression

Most of us are aware of post partum depression but for those of us who don’t or can’t seem to remember, it is mostly regarding the feelings brought on by hormonal imbalances after giving birth.  Now since many men are not the ones giving birth, men seldom know exactly what they can do when our significant other is experiencing mood changes and major sadness among other symptoms.  Here are a few suggestions.

 The first thing men must realize is how blessed we are by being given the most precious of gifts.   A little piece of heaven which will look to us for guidance and directions.  Someone that will love us unconditionally and reflect a little bit of us each time we look into their eyes.  Since post partum depression usually last for 1 year, men need to stay close by for at least that amount of time.  We need to relieve the mother of as many responsibilities as we can handle correctly.  It is often times not the big things that you do but the small sometimes insignificant things that matter the most.  An example of this is soon as you hear the baby cry, be the first to announce that you will handle it.  Many times infants cry because they are hungry, wet or just need to feel the comfort of a warm embrace.  Do not be afraid to be the one providing it for your child.  After all the infant is a part of you.  Changing a diaper every once in a while will not kill you.  Taking care to tenderly wipe and clean your child while the mother looks on will insure her that you are giving your child the type of love and tenderness that she would.  Don’t be surprise to look up and see her standing there each time you tend to your child because, in most cases, a mother’s love and bond is unbreakable and the only real person that she can trust right now to give the infant what it needs is her.  It will take a few opportunities to convince her that you are able to provide the comfort that she would.

The more time you can allow her to rest and relax, the better and faster her hormones may become more balanced and the better her recovery will be.  A parent must be strong to take on the roughest job known to man and that is raising children, so the more time she has to rest, the better off the family will be.  Learn how to properly mix the formula that she wishes the baby to have.  Watch intently as she does it and ask questions if you are not sure.  Perform the mixing in front of her until she feels comfortable that you have it down, and then do it without being asked.  Make a few bottles and the ones that are not being used can be stored in the refrigerator.   Clean up any mess that you or the child leaves behind.  Make sure that you get a good burp from your child after feeding so that the baby will rest comfortably.  It would not hurt either to do a little laundry every now and again.   These few things can make a huge difference for the mother and the child but most importantly for you.  Be a real father and in the end you will find the true meaning of being a man.