The Postpartum Playbook for Dads

The simple, step-by-step guide to help him show up for you and the baby in those first weeks.

When we had our first baby, he didn’t know what to do. And to be honest, I didn’t know what to tell him. I was figuring it all out too.

We lived on frozen pizza and broken sleep. He went back to work three days after the baby was born.

He loved us. He wanted to help. Neither of us knew what that looked like.

So the work landed on whoever noticed it first. That was me.

Four babies later, I’ve learned it isn’t about how much he loves you. It’s whether he knows what to do, and whether you’ve talked about it before the baby comes.

This is the guide I wish he’d had in his hands.

You know that feeling?

• You’re sore, running on no sleep, and somehow still the one who notices the empty water bottle, the full trash, and the laundry pile.

• He says, “Let me know if you need anything,” and you want to scream, “I don’t even know what I need!”

• You’re crying over something small, like the dishes or the wrong tone, and you can’t explain why.

• You smile and roll your eyes when someone says, “Enjoy every second,” and cry in the bathroom later.

You deserve a beautiful postpartum (and to be honest, so does he!)

It’s a team effort. These moments are so sweet and so fleeting, and you want to enjoy them together, as a family, not just get through them.

A peek inside ⤵️

Written to him, bought by you

This guide speaks directly to him, in a warm, no-lectures, coach-style voice, and tells him exactly what to do, what to say, and what to notice, starting the day the baby arrives. No guessing. No “just tell me what you need.” Just a clear plan, so you can rest while he steps up.

Inside you’ll find:

• What’s really happening in your body and mind: physical recovery, the baby blues, and why you’re not “overreacting”

• What he can do right now: feeding, healing, sleep, and the hands-on baby care he can take over

• Scripts for hard moments: what to say when you’re overwhelmed, when family pushes boundaries, and when he’s struggling too

• A plan to build before the baby comes: divide the household load, line up help, and set boundaries with visitors

• Warning signs to watch for: the physical and mental health signs, for you and for him, and when to call for help

• Printable templates: postpartum plan, meal train and help-request scripts, weekly check-in, daily 1–10 check-in, chore chart, and a 3-month calendar

• A section just for him: because dads have feelings, too

This is for you if...

• You’re having your first baby and you’ve read about labor, but nobody’s told you what happens after.

• He keeps asking, “What can I do?” and you don’t have the energy to tell him.

• You had a hard first postpartum and you don’t want to feel like you’re doing it all again.

• You’re adding another baby and you’re nervous about toddlers, a newborn, and not enough hands.

• He’s got limited leave, and you’ll be on your own sooner than you’d like.