Beyond the Baby Registry: Prenatal Conversations to have in 2025
The excitement of preparing for a new baby often leads parents-to-be to focus on the tangible aspects of readiness: choosing the perfect stroller, planning a creative gender reveal, or picking out the ideal coming-home outfit. While these decisions feel important in the moment, they pale in comparison to the conversations that can truly shape your postpartum experience.
Here’s why prioritizing discussions about feeding choices, mental health, shared responsibilities, and partner support is essential for a smoother transition into parenthood. With Wild Sun Lactation, we help prompt these conversations to empower your postpartum journey.
Feeding Choices: More Than Just Breast or Bottle
Deciding how to feed your baby is one of the most significant decisions you’ll make as parents. Prenatal discussions about feeding go beyond choosing between breastfeeding, formula feeding, or a combination of both. It’s about:
Aligning Expectations: Discuss each partner’s perspective on feeding and their role in supporting those choices.
Educating Together: Attend prenatal lactation classes to get educated on the benefits of breastfeeding, how it works, and how to be successful. Research formula options, cost, and product information to ensure you are making an informed decision.
Planning for Challenges: Anticipate potential hurdles, such as latching difficulties or milk supply issues, and have a plan for accessing professional help if needed.
These conversations set the tone for teamwork, reducing stress and fostering mutual understanding once the baby arrives.
Mental Health: Prioritizing Wellness for Both Parents
Postpartum mood disorders, such as baby blues, postpartum depression, anxiety and psychosis, are common but often overlooked in prenatal planning. Here’s how you can address mental health early:
Recognize Warning Signs: Educate yourself and discuss the potential symptoms to watch for in each other. Discuss how you are going to approach the (oftentimes) scary conversation with one another. Create a plan to seek help if needed.
Create a Support Network: Identify family, friends, or professionals who can provide emotional support postpartum. Write that support team down for easy reference.
Set Boundaries: Agree on limits for visitors and set a boundary on commitments to protect your recovery time and prevent becoming overwhelmed.
Recognize Self Care: Make a list of activities that make you feel good. When feeling low, show your partner their list and give them time and space to reconnect with themself.
When both partners are proactive about mental health, they can better support one another and model resilience for their growing family.
Sharing the Mental Load and Household Tasks
The mental workload of parenting often falls disproportionately on one partner, leading to burnout and resentment. Before the baby arrives:
List Responsibilities: Create a list of household and parenting tasks, from laundry to doctor’s appointments, and divide them fairly. Understand that the list will evolve and likely change once the baby is here.
Communicate Preferences: Some tasks may feel easier or more enjoyable for one partner; assigning roles based on strengths can help.
Revisit and Revise: Acknowledge that things might shift postpartum and commit to ongoing discussions about workload adjustments.
This approach ensures that parenting and household duties are shared, fostering a sense of partnership and reducing stress.
Ways Partners Can Help Postpartum
For many new parents, the postpartum period feels overwhelming. Partners often want to help but aren’t sure how. Prenatal discussions can clarify expectations and roles, such as:
Providing Physical Support: Taking over diaper changes, meal prep, or nighttime soothing. Refilling the water bottle, providing snacks to Mom, and being there for burping sessions go a long way.
Offering Emotional Support: Checking in with the birthing parent about how they’re feeling and being an active listener. Validate the feelings and show compassion for your person.
Facilitating Self-Care: Encouraging breaks for rest, exercise, or hobbies. Implementing self care practices leads to a happier home environment for everyone.
When partners take an active role, it strengthens the family bond and fosters a supportive environment for both parents and baby.
The Bigger Picture
While choosing baby gear and planning celebrations are part of the excitement of pregnancy, they shouldn’t overshadow the importance of preparing for life after the baby arrives. Conversations about feeding, mental health, shared responsibilities, and partner roles address the real challenges of parenthood. They lay the foundation for a thriving family, where each member feels supported and valued.
As you navigate this transformative time, remember: the stroller can wait. Building a solid foundation for your family’s well-being cannot.