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Creative ways to find time, energy and space together
Intimacy is a two-way street — but you could argue that in the early days of caring for a newborn, it goes three ways: you, partner and baby.
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This bundleful of soft-skinned, squirmy joy and wonderment shakes up everyone’s world. Those tiny toes. The kicking feet. The round-the-clock rotation of feeding, changing diapers and (hopefully) sleeping.
For most of us, it’s a wonderful, physically demanding time.
As you and your partner work out the breakdown of duties, it’s important to make a little space for each other, suggests clinical psychologist Dana Brendza, PsyD.
“Don’t underestimate the power of small, caring gestures at this time. Some thoughtfulness can help keep you and your partner in sync and can help create a place for romance,” she says.
If you’re the man in this relationship hoping to encourage quality time with your partner, here are some suggestions:
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It can take some creativity to find intimate time with a partner after a baby is born. If you find small moments together, it can help strengthen your relationship. Bonding rituals like reading time as a family can help you relax together before you put your baby to sleep. Perhaps you can then retreat for couples’ time.
The most important thing to remember when it comes to intimacy, is that it starts with open communication. Work to understand your own as well as your partner’s needs.
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