How having a baby effects a relationshipA variety of things change when a new baby comes into the mix. Taking on the new roles of mom and dad, particularly for the first time, have a profound effect on the individuals and the couple as a whole. Priorities shift as the child becomes the focus of daily life, social activities take a backseat to feedings and bath time, and sleep deprivation begins to take its toll.For the woman, recovering from the climactic labor and delivery can take time and the needs of a baby cannot wait. Simple daily activities such as bathing, laundry and fixing meals can become overwhelming and the stress and strain can very easily be vented on to the nearest person, namely the man in the relationship. Women also experience an array of changes to their bodies that continue after the baby is delivered and, for many, this can be a hindrance to being close and intimate with their partner.For the man, the birthing experience can also be very traumatic and seeing their partner as both mother and lover may be difficult. There may also be an element of jealousy, with some men viewing the new child as a sort of rival for attention.How couples can regain closenessGood communication is one of the most important elements of a good relationship and taking the time to talk together every day, whether the conversations are about serious matters or simply chatting about daily life, is vital. Partners in a relationship need to remember their friendship and the qualities that brought them together in the first place and talking to each other and spending time together are the most important way to do that.Romance may seem a foreign concept amongst all the feeding bottles and nappies, but making time to be alone together is vital for any relationship. Taking the time to express affection and admiration for each other throughout the day can strengthen the bond between a couple and make it easier to connect and communicate. Finding time to be intimate with each other can be very difficult for new parents. While romantic candlelight and lingerie teddies at lingeridiva.com may be just the ticket for some new mums, others may need to find different ways to re-establish that side of the marriage. The key is to find ways to reconnect that are both spontaneous and scheduled. Plan date nights both inside and outside the home; going out with close friends can be as romantic for a couple as having a quiet dinner at home. For men, making an effort to understand how the woman is feeling about herself can help. Many women struggle with their post-partum bodies and find their self-esteem and libido weakened. This is usually overcome in a relatively short time but worrying about it can sometimes lengthen the return to normality. Spend time together and relax; things will then take their natural course.*This post is a contributed post
