My partner feels like he's not number 1

Balancing the relationships in your family

During the first few months, looking after your baby can feel more demanding than a full-time job! With all the feeds and nappy changes (not to mention endless cuddles!), your time and attention will naturally be focused on your newborn. It’s easy to let the relationship with your partner slide, but there are lots of ways to keep everyone happy.

How to keep the spark with your partner

Here are a few tips to help keep the relationship between you and your partner alive and well:

• Talk! – Telling each other how you feel can help ease any growing tension between you. Try to talk about something other than the baby occasionally, so it doesn’t become the only connection between you.
• Get him involved – it will stop him feeling left out and take the pressure off you too. After spending 9 months sharing in your excitement, lots of partners want to keep on sharing the responsibility of looking after your baby. Or look at some of the other ways that dads can help e.g. bathing baby, taking baby for walks.
• Make time for each other and do something together – whether it’s sitting down to a nice meal, or just having a kiss and a cuddle – it’s not only your baby who likes to feel close to you!
• Or you can talk with your health care professional, a counsellor or possibly even a relationship specialist