Fathers’ role in the motherhood journey

The father’s importance in their children's lives

A study published by Psychology Today magazine showed that dads have an essential role in raising children and their healthy emotional and psychological development. The father's presence in the child's life is no less important than the mother's role. Therefore, single mothers face significant challenges during motherhood while the father is absent for whatever reason. If the father is present, it is important to involve him in raising and caring for the child, as well as in the motherhood experience itself.

Steps for the father to be an effective partner in the journey of motherhood

1| Knowing the mother's needs

Dear Husband, your wife, who has just become a mother, went through a pregnancy and childbirth experience that affected her physical and psychological health. She is responsible for your little one, who does not sleep at night and must be fed often. She has many emotional and material needs, and she needs help and assistance greatly. So do not wait for her to tell you what she needs; ask her directly and constantly offer your help and support. Believe me, once you ask and care, you will have met an essential need of hers as a new mother who needs someone who understands her significant responsibilities and the experience she went through with pregnancy, childbirth, and caring for a newborn.

2| Understand her feelings

After giving birth, a woman experiences baby blues, and she may also experience postpartum depression, which is regular and temporary. She feels an avalanche of strange feelings, doubts, and fears. Therefore, the husband must understand these emotional changes and their symptoms. And to support and assist his wife to overcome these strong feelings.

3| Appreciating the mother's effort

Motherhood responsibilities are the most difficult of all, and mothers carry out these tasks and responsibilities with open arms and love. However, a mother, especially one experiencing motherhood for the first time, needs someone to appreciate what she does and what she goes through in her challenging, long, and beautiful journey as a mother. She needs someone to pat her shoulder and tell her: Well done! You are doing an excellent job! To reassure her heart and ease her fears. In addition to appreciation, the father must provide help and support and help the mother by cleaning the house, preparing food, and organizing visits. To ensure the comfort of the mother and newborn with the arrival of well-wishers.

4| Spend time with the child

Just as mothers are granted maternity leave, most countries grant fathers paternity leave from three days to three months. The father must take advantage of this precious vacation to spend time with his wife and child. Therefore, experts advise all new parents to spend enough time with the newborn during the first months by doing some activities, the most important of which are as follows:

• Skin-t-skin contact, especially in the first days and weeks after birth.
• Change the baby's diaper.
• Carrying the baby when he needs someone to carry him.
• Alternating with night feeding by giving the child expressed milk using a baby bottle.
• Talk to the child, sing, and read stories to him.
• Playing with the baby.

5| Education about motherhood

For the father to be an effective partner in the journey of motherhood, it is essential that he be educated and knowledgeable about everything related to motherhood. Therefore, experts advise that husbands attend pregnancy, childbirth, and newborn care courses with their wives. This equips them with knowledge and sound information from reliable sources to be a positive partner to their wives on this beautiful journey resembling a fast roller coaster.

Summary,

Marriage, child-rearing, motherhood, and fatherhood are experiences based on a partnership between two people. These experiences cannot be successful and harmonious without a positive and effective partnership. Therefore, motivating and encouraging the father to be an effective partner in motherhood is important.