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Those beautiful, but somewhat crazy days after giving birth are so much easier when you have a supportive partner who says and does all of the right things.

As new mums, we’re exhausted, sore, mentally drained and have physical demands being made of us all day and night. But our partners can often feel like they’re not able to help ease our load. So one mum has shared her list of all things she believes a partner should do in the postpartum phase.

So, if you’re giving birth any time soon – or you’re a dad-to-be – take note!

 ‘Everything I think men should do in the postpartum phase’

Content creator and mum Melissa Messer shared her list with her 40,000 followers, and has gained a groundswell of support. So let’s take a look at her suggestions at what men can do to help out after their partner gives birth.

@melissmesser Clearly i feel strongly about the water bottle LMAO #greenscreen #momsoftiktok #POSTPARTUM #postpartumrecovery #postpartumjourney #pregnancytiktok #pregnancy #postpartumlife #postpartumsupport #postpartumbody #postpartum ♬ original sound – Melissa

1. Water bottle always filled with ice water

Melissa says: “Okay, first and arguably most important is that water bottles should always be filled with ice water. Like, don’t even let it get to the point where she has to ask. Just have that thing ready.”

2. Peri bottle filled, healing centre (pads, disposable undies) stocked.

“Another thing that should be filled without them having to think about is their peri bottle that they’re using to heal,”

3. Wake up in the middle of the night for support

“I know, at night, it’s like, ‘What can I do? Like I can’t feed the baby if like she’s breastfeeding.’ Wake up in the middle of the night for moral support, you know?”

4. Tell you you’re a good mum three times a day

“Tell her she’s a good mum, at least three times a day minimum. It can feel lonely to be up in the middle of the night with just the baby … just make sure you give her a pat on the back.”

5. Laundry

6. Housework

“Laundry and housework … especially this is your first child, you should be keeping up with this a lot … Also changing diapers, making sure you take the baby so that she can shower and nap whenever she wants and stuff like that. That’s kind of like a given,”

Melissa also has some handy suggestions for those who aren’t first-time-dads.

If you have multiple kids:

1. Do everything with other kids

2. Checking in and asking if mum needs anything

3. Water bottle filled

4. Try to keep up with the housework

She says, “You should be doing everything with the other kids. Checking in and asking if mum needs anything, even though you’re with the other kids the whole time.

“When you have like multiple kids and there’s a newborn and stuff, obviously like the house might just be messy, but like don’t make it to the point where it’s just completely overwhelming. Just be a little extra nice … Go to the store, get her a special treat, you know?”

We love these ideas! Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments below. 

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  • Quite a list – hopefully if the two of you are close, there will be no need for the list in the first place.

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  • I actually didn’t mind if my husband didn’t get up in the middle of the night – it meant he was better able to give me a break during the day.

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  • I am a single mum, but anyone who could help with food was escritoire a life Saver. Or even an hour without the baby!

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  • If your husband is a decent caring person, you won’t need any lists.

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  • Its a real test on your relationship when a birth/child joins the family. So many sleepless nights and your life balance just does a 180 degree turn. All you need is support and a caring partner

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  • Just be a supportive partner is all anyone needs. Every house hold has different circumstances so as long as the partner is supportive in their own way hopefully is all good.

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  • I always preferred my husband to sleep when I got up in the night to feed and settle our baby. He had a very dangerous job to do and I preferred him to have as much sleep as possible.

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  • Offer to take baby on a walk in the carrier so mum can toilet, shower and eat in peace

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  • I understand it is hard after a baby is born but don’t expect the man to do everything

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  • I don’t drink Ice water but yes definitely keep the water bottle full just not icy. Also I preferred my husband not to wake up with me at night so that he could be up with the others in the morning or get them to bed at night if I went to bed early. Just made more sense to me.

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  • I think most of these should just be standard for a supportive husband? It shouldn’t be a chore to them

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  • Her explanation for Point four doesn’t actually make sense if they’re doing Point three… but yeah, this is a good list. Cooking, though. They should be making the meals.

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  • Would be so nice. My husband was super supportive but definitely feel the emotional support should be at the top. Huge change n lots fall heavily on the mums.

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  • Oh, and go to work all day to earn money to support our family! Then come home and cook dinner and take over baby duties to give me a break.

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  • Great list. I will say though, I don’t really like ice water- too cold! Cool room temp is fine.

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  • I agree with lots of this list, keeping up with housework and trying to ease the effort of their partner seems fair.. I am sure if they had a big surgery women would do all of these for the men.

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  • Definitely agree with all the things on the list! I didn’t have a list but I did talk to my husband a lot about what would be helpful for me.

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  • Oh for god’s sake. Who needs a list. Just support each other and ask if you need something particular.


    • I agree; needs can change over time for everyone and open and loving communication is the way to go.



      • Yes, totally ! Just be open and support each other

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  • We never needed a list; worked together and communicated needs.


    • No we neither, I wouldn’t feel comfortable to do a list and I think coming up with a list could have a negative effect

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  • She really is on the money with this list!!

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