Your partner's emotions and the best ways to support them

• Be supportive and caring. Actively listen and help your partner adjust to their new role.
• Be active in managing stress and the supportive people in your lives. Take all phone calls and coordinate visitors at the hospital and at home.
• Offer regular three- to four-hour breaks for your partner. These can help your partner relieve physical and emotional stress.
• Offer encouragement. Tell your partner they are doing a good job and that you appreciate all their efforts in caring for your baby.
• Be available to help with overnight feedings to allow your partner regular periods of uninterrupted sleep.

If you have concerns about your partner's emotional and mental well-being during pregnancy or after delivery:

• Call your partner's health care provider to talk about your concerns.
• Go with your partner to appointments.
• Call 911 right away if your partner, baby or both are at risk for harm.

When your baby is more than six weeks old, your partner may prefer to spend time away from the baby. Your partner may want personal time or time to exercise.

If breastfeeding is well established, you can feed your baby a bottle. If your baby is formula feeding, you can take care of any number of feedings.