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DH and I disagree on everything since having a baby - normal?

60 replies

safetyfirst1 · 25/05/2025 19:34

I'm feeling really overwhelmed and could use some advice from those who've been there. Me and DH have been together for years and rarely argued before, but since having our little one 8 weeks ago, we seem to disagree about absolutely everything baby-related.

He thinks I'm being argumentative, but honestly I think he's the one being difficult and I'm starting to really dislike his perspective on everything. We're bickering constantly and I'm worried about what this is doing to us as a couple. Some examples of what we're arguing about (and yes, I know how petty some of these sound):

Bottle temperature - I think it should be body temp, he insists it needs to be cooler

How many layers baby should wear - he always thinks I'm overdressing him, I think he underdresses

Feeding angle- we have completely different ideas about how upright baby should be (he insists 25 degree angle/almost flat is appropriate)

Future hobbies - this one's mental but he's already decided our son shouldn't be "exposed to football culture" and doesn't want my family buying football clothes or encouraging any interest. Says football "amounts to no good" - this really winds me up as my whole family loves it though I don’t care either way but I thought his opinions were irritating.

I feel like we're turning into different people. Everything feels like a battle and I'm exhausted from the constant disagreements on top of normal new parent tiredness. We haven’t been physical for approx three months, he hasn’t even made an attempt to hug me since giving birth once. He was never a hugger but he has never said he’s proud of me or hardly anything positive since giving birth.

What's making it worse is I'm starting to feel proper resentment building up. I'm doing most of the care - yesterday I had baby from 5am to 10pm while DH had whatever free time he wanted. He does nighttime from about 9pm-midnight/1am though last night he did kindly do 10pm-4am with baby but then said he can’t make a habit of it because of his work (even though he’s self employed and often works six hours a day). I wanted to start exercising again because my back is killing me from pushing the pram going for walks, so I asked if he could watch baby for an hour after work daily. His response? He "won't have time for himself" - meanwhile he still goes to the gym regularly and I don’t say anything and look after DC.

Has anyone else experienced this? Does it get better? I'm starting to wonder if we're just not compatible as parents even though we were fine as a couple. The sleep deprivation probably isn't helping but I feel like I'm losing my mind and getting angrier by the day.

Any advice welcome, especially from those who made it through this phase!

OP posts:
Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 25/05/2025 20:26

Maybe draw up a rota.. Add in who has dc while the other has Free Time.
Add in chores. Let him see in black and white who has a good deal.
Clue it isn't you op...

LurkyMcLurkinson · 25/05/2025 20:22

Having a baby and having to adjust to each others parenting styles, experiencing sleep deprivation and parental anxiety etc can put a lot of strain on a relationship. It’s also common for people to feel like roommates due a lack of intimacy after the baby arrives. Therefore I’m not at all surprised that you’ve noticed a negative impact on your relationship since your little one arrived. With a bit more understanding from both of you I think you can navigate your differences in the smaller things like dressing your baby etc. Unfortunately though you have a much bigger issue which is that your partner sees you as the default parent and is a selfish wanker who thinks his needs for down time, rest etc trump yours. If you really want to make this relationship work then that’s what you need to be addressing as a priority.

mambojambodothetango · 25/05/2025 19:55

The bit that stood out to me is when you said you'd had the baby from 5am to 10pm while he did whatever he wanted. That's what I'd be pissed off about. What was he doing that was more important than giving you a break and bonding with his child?

PorgyandBess · 25/05/2025 19:49

I remember Michelle Obama saying she hated her husband for 10 years when their kids were small.

It puts a strain on a marriage, but you’ll find your rhythm and it won’t be this bad.

goldtaps · 25/05/2025 19:48

We went through a period of arguing about everything after our child was born - I think it’s lack of sleep, stress and just heightened emotions. I had to consistently remind my husband that I was sleep deprived and if I snapped or was short then he could try and show was understanding and tolerance and I had to do the same back.

before having the baby I read an article called “don’t become the expert in the baby” it was about not commenting and dictating you the father the way to do everything. Unless safety and a at stake, then there can be more than one way of doing something…you are not always right. Acknowledging this helped me.

we’re now two years on and better than ever. It does get easier but you both need to understand your relationship and stresses change

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 25/05/2025 19:46

I remember telling the doctor at my first postnatal check up that I absolutely couldn't stand my husband atm. She didn't even blink. I think it's pretty common.

junebirthdaygirl · 25/05/2025 19:42

Having a new baby and the tiredness that goes with it is really difficult. We don't realise that until we are smack in the middle of it. I have to say as l was the one mostly looking after baby due to maternity leave l was was the one who decided on clothes etc. He does sound a bit bossy. The football thing is irrelevant..just ignore him as its total rubbish. Most things are due to tiredness. Is there anyone..your mum..who could wa0tch baby for an hour every weekend so you can both go for coffee etc. Just to be a couple and get that spark back.

PerfectPennyKilledMyHusband · 25/05/2025 19:41

I have been there. I could count on one hand the number of arguments I had with my husband before our daughter was born, then suddenly we bickered constantly.

A lot of it is sleep deprivation, and adjusting to a huge new life change.

Don't get me wrong there are some terrible dads/husbands out there and mine isn't one of them, but I didn't feel he pulled his weight as much as he should have when she was tiny. But once she got to about 4/5 months he got so much better with her. I honestly think a lot of men just find tiny babies boring and they are much better once they start to get a bit of a personality!

Our little girl is 18 months now and I'd say we genuinely split everything 50/50, oh and I actually like him again.

It does get easier!

Didimum · 25/05/2025 19:41

It will get better but you still need to do the work. I can’t see the point in you getting annoyed with him over what, at the end of the day, are subjective opinion – or he you. You have different opinions, that’s it. There is no wrong or right.

With that in mind, try going forward knowing that you’re on the same team and you’re not each other’s enemies. Begin every day with a quick hug and a discussion whereby you acknowledge the stresses but that you’re in it together.

GoodQueenBess · 25/05/2025 19:40

Bottle temperature - I think it should be body temp, he insists it needs to be cooler
How are you checking the temperature? If you are using your hand, it should be slightly cooler.

How many layers baby should wear - he always thinks I'm overdressing him, I think he underdresses
Could you both do in-between?

Feeding angle- we have completely different ideas about how upright baby should be (he insists 25 degree angle/almost flat is appropriate)
What does the baby think?

Future hobbies - this one's mental but he's already decided our son shouldn't be "exposed to football culture" and doesn't want my family buying football clothes or encouraging any interest. Says football "amounts to no good" - this really winds me up as my whole family loves it though I don’t care either way but I thought his opinions were irritating.
Children will probably like football because their friends do. I'd be p'd off if relatives were encouraging my child to support their team.