Why There’s No Shame if You Need a Break From Your Newborn
And why they may need a break from you too
Caring for your newborn for all your waking hours can be exhausting while being one of the most rewarding things you can do. But it can test your patience and wear you out if it’s a difficult day for either one of you. Unless you become a Navy Seal, not many things will test your ability to function with little to no sleep.
New parents can feel bad for saying they need time away from their infants. Why wouldn’t you want to be around your new baby as much as possible? It’s easy for some people, especially ones with no kids, to interpret that as you don’t love or don’t want to be around your baby.
Your baby always deserves the best you can offer. You can’t be at your best when you are exhausted or having you feel like giving up after a 2-hour crying fit. Babies need constant care and attention. Their brains develop rapidly, and it’s your responsibility to read, play, and help them reach milestones. You can’t do that if you aren’t engaged with them or lack the energy to give them the attention they deserve.
It’s good for your baby to get a break from you because it’s easy to fall into a caregiving pattern that’s better or more convenient for you and not your baby. Other caregivers who give you a break interact in different ways. Your baby will get more comfortable with other people. You can’t fall into the trap of avoiding things your baby doesn’t like to do because it may upset them but is necessary for development.
You can’t sacrifice your health to always be around your child. If you don’t get quiet time to recharge, eat a healthy meal, read a book, or work out, then you are hurting yourself. You want to be around for a long time for your child so you need to take care of you. If your employer requires you to take breaks, then the most important job of your life should too.
Most men aren’t good at asking for help. If a father gets too stressed, irritable, or overwhelmed, that can lead to depression. You don’t want to give those feelings off to your baby because they can sense it. Those aren’t the emotions you want them to feel from you. Taking care of a new baby is difficult. There’s nothing wrong with asking for a break or help to make sure you give what your new baby deserves.