Are You Suffering From The New Parent Syndrome? Here’s All That You Need To Know

Are You Suffering From The New Parent Syndrome? Here’s All That You Need To Know

14 Jul 2022 | 4 min Read

Sayani Basu

Author | 607 Articles

Does your life look like half-finished sentences, inadequate time for your partner, new responsibilities and few sweet nothings? Well, your life can take a complete turn upside down after having a baby.

It’s 4 am and you’ve already been up five times tending to dirty nappies and baby vomit. Dealing with changes in your everyday routine along with sleepless nights as you learn to look after your infant can be turmoil.

There will be times when you will probably don’t know what to do, but try and remember that it’s the same for everyone and that’s when you’re learning on the job. This is normal as you are going through the New Parent Syndrome. Read on to know more!

new parent counselling
The entry of a new member might have a strained relationship with their partner due to an invasion of privacy. | Image Source: pexels

How Does The New Parent Syndrome Affect Couples?

Parenthood comes with its share of responsibilities and it’s all the more difficult for the new parents. The entry of a new member might create anxiety amongst couples, and they might have a strained relationship with their partner due to an invasion of privacy.

For instance, it has new parents tend to kiss each other less often, have no time for sex and `alone couple time’ is a forgotten concept. Hence, their relationships tend to change. They don’t even get time for outings with friends as their baby takes over.

New Parent Syndrome has a close connection with postpartum depression that happens as a result of the extreme or physical changes that many new mothers experience.

Post childbirth, some new mums experience excessive anxiety, known as postpartum anxiety. It can be so severe that it leads to depression and might interfere with her ability to even do simple everyday tasks.

It usually begins within the first two to four weeks after delivery. But in some cases, it can also start as early as two to three days after delivery.

The only difference between a New Parent Syndrome and postpartum depression is that the latter affects women after delivery, while in the case of New Parent Syndrome, men can also get affected as the wife’s attention is now diverted towards the baby and they might feel ignored.

Do You Need Support?

New parents need extra support from family and friends. This can include practical stuff like helping with household chores or watching the baby so that the new parents can take a break. This way they can get emotional support by just being there to listen.

You can try to figure out what will be the most useful for you and communicate this to your family. Extended family can also improve the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of new parents by showing up and compensating for situations where they might fall behind.

Families can encourage new parents to take time for themselves and this is perhaps one of the kindest gifts the family can give. An uninterrupted shower or a dinner out with your partner might be the last priority on your mind after your newborn takes over.

Hence, it will be a good idea if you can ask your family member to take care of the little one so that you can go for lunch or dinner. This will make a huge difference in relieving tension in relationships or help you survive the New Parent Syndrome for sure.

Being a young parent has its share of quirks. Younger couples tend to depend on others for advice and end up overpowered with opinions. This can worsen the situation at times. For instance, when young mums discuss stuff with their mothers-in-law, their minds are conditioned to look at things with preconceived notions and such notions might not help as it’s 2022 and life has changed a lot.

It is advisable to talk with your partner so that both of you can go through every process together. | Image Source: pexels

A common sign of anxiety and depression is when you’re not feeling close or connected to your little one after a few weeks. It is advisable to talk with a health professional if you’re experiencing ongoing distress that doesn’t go away on its own and begins to affect you. Sometimes, new parent counselling can also help.

Here’s What New Parents Should Keep In Mind

New parents can also feel trapped by the huge change that has completely taken over their lives and might panic that their identity as an individual has been replaced by that of ‘parent’. However, it’s important to bear in mind that these experiences are normal and just a part of the adjustment process, not a sign that you don’t want or love your baby.

A

gallery
send-btn

Suggestions offered by doctors on BabyChakra are of advisory nature i.e., for educational and informational purposes only. Content posted on, created for, or compiled by BabyChakra is not intended or designed to replace your doctor's independent judgment about any symptom, condition, or the appropriateness or risks of a procedure or treatment for a given person.