Becoming a new parent is a beautiful thing. You and your loved ones welcome new life to this world, promising to love, support and guide your newest family member. While parenthood offers many joys, it also comes with challenges.
Men stepping into fatherhood for the first time may have many questions about this new chapter and feel unsure about how to move forward. Unfortunately, many new dads can struggle with their mental health as they navigate this life change.
Keep reading to learn more about new dads' mental health as they enter fatherhood, including common stressors faced by many new fathers and tips to nurture your mental health.
Dads Can Experience Postpartum Depression
When approaching any new season of life, you can expect a learning curve as you adjust to your new normal. Parenthood is a major life change — and even the most prepared parents can struggle with the mental load.
According to the National Library of Medicine, 8 to 13% of new fathers experience paternal postpartum depression (PPPD). Based on a qualitative research study conducted from 1960 to 2017, three main factors were identified that affect first-time dads’ mental health: The formation of the fatherhood identity, competing challenges of the new role and negative feelings and fears relating to fatherhood.
Many don’t realize that men can struggle with their mental health when becoming a new parent, with 1 in 10 fathers experiencing PPPD. These effects are felt by the father and the entire family, including the child. Research shows that when dads struggle with their mental health, it often leads to reduced parental involvement, which negatively affects their child’s cognition and mental and physical health.
The Mental Challenges of Becoming a New Dad
Unlike past generations, new fathers in today’s society are more aware of their mental health needs and the importance of parental involvement. However, many common stressors still impact them. Let’s take a closer look at each.
Financial Stress
Many men feel a financial responsibility to provide for their new family. While bringing another life into this world is beautiful, practical costs arise — from diapers and bottles to car seats and childcare.
Many couples decide that one of them will become a stay-at-home parent to save on costs or for personal reasons. Transitioning to a single-income household can add financial stress, which could negatively affect mental health over time.
Extreme Life Change
There can be a duality of emotions when having a baby. On the one hand, you’re overjoyed, but on the other, you may feel frustration or even regret about losing your previous lifestyle. We want you to know that you aren’t alone in your emotions. It’s normal for both mom and dad to experience these feelings. It’s important to remember that there’s an adjustment period that you and your loved ones must go through to adapt to your new norm.
However, this drastic life change can feel like it happens overnight, especially as a first-time parent. There's already a stigma for mental health care for dads that can make them feel like they're weak if they seek help for processing their emotions. This life change can really challenge a first-time dad.
Guilt Around Bonding
It can be more difficult for fathers to bond with their newborns than mothers because men miss out on some physical contact, like breastfeeding, and may spend more time away at work, especially if they don’t have paternity leave. This can make many men feel guilt as fathers for not being more connected to their children. It’s normal for first-time dads to experience this, but it can build up over time and negatively impact their mental health.
Feelings of Loneliness and Isolation
It can be easy for taking care of your newborn to feel all-consuming. It may feel like there’s an endless list of chores to do on top of tending to your baby’s every need. Not only that, but it’s normal for you and your spouse’s dynamic to change as you move into parenthood; what once used to be date night is now family time. There’s also less time to spend with friends, on hobbies or doing other things you enjoy.
These changes can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation and can often lead new dads to experience PPPD. Men are also less likely to reach out for help or share their emotional struggles, which is why mental health care for dads is so important.
Tending to Your Emotional Needs
While tending to your baby’s needs is a vital part of parenthood, it’s important that you make time to tend to your own needs, too. Oftentimes, men neglect their mental health and allow other things to take priority. We recommend the following tips:
- Communicate your feelings with your spouse and a health care professional
- Join a support group or seek out friends in similar stages of life
- Know the signs and symptoms of PPPD
- Find moments to relax and reconnect with your partner
- Understand your value as a father
It’s important that you reach out to your primary care provider or a mental health professional, especially if you’re experiencing harmful thoughts or depression. You deserve emotional stability in your everyday life.
Nurturing Your Mental Health and Well-being
At AdventHealth, we care for you in body, mind and spirit. While fatherhood can bring much change and mental health challenges, know that you aren’t alone. We’re here to nurture your mental health and uplift your spirit.
Visit us here to learn more about our behavioral health services or to schedule an appointment today. Congratulations on becoming a new father; you’ve got what it takes to be an amazing parent.
