A newborn baby is all-consuming of both your time and your emotions, and can affect your relationship with your other half in ways you had probably never even considered. 

 

A mild-natured person can flip in an instant after little or no sleep and the financial stress of starting a family can leave many lying awake until the early hours.

 

But an infant can also bring you both together and strengthen your closeness with your other half. 

 

While it is important to bear in mind that every couple is different, here are five tips that will help you keep it together.

 

1. Compromise on parenting styles

No matter how long you have been together or the fact that you now finish each other’s sentences, you WILL have different ideas on how to parent. While they may not be vastly dissimilar, being tired and vulnerable will mean they are more likely to grate on your nerves. To stop this, both of you need to compromise on what you think is the best way to parent – you never know, you may learn a thing or two from each other.

 

2. Get out of the house together

It can be really hard and sometimes can seem like WAY too much work, but try to get out of the house together as much as possible. A newborn baby means a messy house, which can cause unnecessary stress to either you your other half. A gentle walk in the fresh air will give you a chance to talk or even enjoy the silence, and a change of scenery can do the world of good, especially if you’re starting to feel a little cooped up.

 

 

3. Tell each other what you want

If you want your other half to clean the bathroom you need to actually tell them, and vice versa. If you are struggling to manage the ever-increasing housework ask them to give you a hand - giving them daggers across the kitchen table won’t help them read your mind. Keeping things to yourself will only cause emotions to build up until one of you explodes.

 

4. Accept that things are different now

It is no longer just the two of you anymore and it is important you accept that. You have another person to care for who will take up a lot of your time and energy, so you need to MAKE time for your relationship.

 

5. Create boundaries, but not between you

As soon as a baby arrives, family members and friends often feel like they can come and go whenever they please, which can be stressful to Mum and Dad. If you are not up for visitors or you want to spend time just the three of you, let everyone know that now is not a good time to call - loved ones will completely understand.

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