CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

Top 6 Things Moms Wish Dads Knew

Bumpies dish on what they wish their husbands knew postbaby. Hint: Pass it along!
save article
profile picture of Paula Kashtan
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Meg Perotti Photography

No matter how painstakingly daddies-to-be pore over the pregnancy and parenting guides, there’s invariably a lesson or two they’ll overlook about dealing with a new baby and a postpartum woman. And, according to Bumpies, guys tend to miss the same few things over and over. From real moms, here are the top things women wish new dads knew (yes, there’s an entire section dedicated to diapers).

Pregnant women/new moms: Print it out, add your notes, and hand to your husband. New/soon-to-be dads: Memorize it. Now.

#1. We still want to feel sexy.

“After having a baby, we never get tired of you telling us that we’re still sexy and that we look ‘the same’…even though our jeans tell us that’s not entirely true!” — gearheadsbride

“Even though she’s now the mother of your child, she’s still your wife and wants to be treated that way.” —_ chromiumman_

“New moms need just as much attention as that cute baby!” — harmonden

“All we want is to be loved, appreciated, and told how amazing we are — not just as moms, but as sexy wives too.” — Emmajoanne

#2. We’re new at this too…and it’s hard.

“We may be nurturing and maternal, but we’re really scared too.” — soulcandybt

“Spending time with the baby during the day isn’t a series of lounging and naps for new moms. It’s hard work entertaining a baby!” — kim*mik

“We’re making it up as we go along too!” — ljpeach

“Just because we’re at home on maternity leave doesn’t mean that we aren’t working all day as well.” — kpropes

“We’re not superwomen.” — Berwyn

#3. We still love you; we’re just tired and cranky.

“The desire for you is still there, even though we’re exhausted!” —_ Tina12312_

Related Video

“Although the attention obviously shifts a bit at first, we love you more than ever!” — Soon2BMrs.P

“We get a little cranky, but don’t take it personally.” — kathypease

“All the moments when we ‘take over’ as new moms are simply a mom compulsion and have nothing to do with not trusting your ability to take care of the baby.” — ChiTownHipster

“We may want sex less (at first), but we love you even more than before.” —_ txterri_

#4. Pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding are NOT easy.

“Leave Mommy’s boobies alone!” — lsl_53@yahoo.com

“How it feels to be a woman and have all these goofy things coming out of your body — babies, placentas, milk, etc.” —_ bethann5_

“The after-birth pains are as painful as early labor.” — HSlater351

“How long it takes to REALLY recover from pregnancy.” — kdkdkd

“How emotional and difficult breastfeeding can be. The first two weeks are crucial and extremely hard for a new mother. There’s no way a new dad can ever understand the effort a new mother goes through to try and do the right thing when a thousand opinions are flying at them, plus issues such as latching, production problems, etc.” — CoolMama

#5. We need some help…and some breaks.

“We’re so tired and emotional. Bring us a simple meal with a flower and take a walk with the baby while we eat and nap. Everyone will be happier in the long run.” — jjampm

“We need our naps, so thanks for changing the diapers and turning away unexpected visitors.” — choochoo428

“Tell us it’s okay when we get a little grumpy.” — shanstan

“When you watch your own kid, it’s NOT considered ‘babysitting.’” — pielum

“Your support is needed after birth just as much — or more! — as during pregnancy, labor, and delivery.” — Linnea_Ann

“You can be very helpful without being asked to help first.” — edq143

“Just holding the baby isn’t really helping. Try cleaning the bathrooms or making dinner.” — idahomom

“Sleep deprivation is soooo hard to live with. Give your wife lots of help during the day.” — impnpixie

#6. Diapers diapers diapers!

“How to change diapers without vomiting.” — indygoldenmom

“How to not use the entire box of wipes for one dirty diaper!” — jananddom

“I’m not the only one who should change our baby’s diaper!” — BusterJess

“How to properly change a diaper…and dispose of it!” — ashley17

“Moms need sleep too, and poop doesn’t kill.” — auntiethesis

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Father's Day Gifts
55 First Father’s Day Gifts That Will Make Him Smile
By Cassie Kreitner
fathers day gifts from baby to daddy gif
15 Special Father’s Day Gifts From Baby to Daddy
By Martina Garvey
young woman using dating app on smartphone while sitting on couch at home
Match Has Launched a New Dating App for Single Parents Called Stir
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
8 Types of New Dads
8 Types of New Dads
By Kylie McConville
parents holding up baby in front of colorful background
Why (and How) You Should Make a Family Mission Statement This Year
By The Bump Editors
new parents at the hospital after the mom just delivered her baby
The 5 Big Surprises in Store for Your Relationship After Baby Arrives
By Ashlee Neuman
4 Ways New Parents Can Strengthen Their Relationship
4 Ways New Parents Can Strengthen Their Relationship
By Tammy Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
Can Having a Baby Strengthen Your Relationship?
Can Having a Baby Strengthen Your Relationship?
By Jayne Heinrich
Date Night: How Many Parents Are Actually Taking One?
Date Night: How Many Parents Are Actually Taking One?
By Anisa Arsenault
shark boy and lava girl tv show still
Sharkboy and Lava Girl Are Returning to the Screen—As Parents
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
elon musk and grimes pick unique baby name
Elon Musk Opens About Fatherhood and Parenting New Son With Grimes
By Nehal Aggarwal
dad holding daughter at the beach
9 Signs He’ll Be a Good Dad
By JD Roberto
Benjamin and maisani Anderson cooper
The Heartwarming Reason Anderson Cooper Is Co-Parenting With His Ex
By Nehal Aggarwal
ADVERTISEMENT
Stacks of money represent unpaid labor of women
Women’s Unpaid Labor Is Globally Worth $10.9 Trillion, Report Says
By Nehal Aggarwal
couple having coffee in bed together
The 5 Most Expensive Cities for Valentine's Day Sitters, Study Finds
By Nehal Aggarwal
man sits down while looking at wifi signal on phone
This New Mom Turned Off Her Husband’s Wifi for the Best Reason
By Nehal Aggarwal
Why You Hate Your Partner After Baby Arrives
Why You Hate Your Partner After Baby Arrives
By Kaitlin Stanford
ADVERTISEMENT
parents looking at summer infant baby monitor
Dads Are Quicker to Check on Baby Than Moms, Study Finds
By Nehal Aggarwal
somber dad holds crying baby
What Dads Need to Know About Postpartum Depression in Men
By Rachel Morris
actress busy phillips posing at an event
How Busy Philips and Her Husband Leveled Their Uneven Parenting Roles
By Laurie Ulster
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List