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Dadsnet

Speak to new fathers on our Dads forum.

"I feel like a shit dad"

3 replies

Worrywort98 · 04/05/2025 18:58

Apologies if this isn't the right place to post this. Looking for a male/dad perspective please..
I (26F) gave birth 11 weeks ago to our son. My husband (31M) is great and has been pretty supportive esp those first few weeks which were incredibly difficult for me postpartum.

he also works long shifts .. 10+ hours not including commuting.
Now our baby is pretty good but definitely has times where he cries inconsolably despite all needs being met. This is obviously very stressful. I can block it out but my husband has less tolerance and wears earmuffs when this happens, which is fair enough.

Now the difficulty is whenever he's not working and our LO cries like this, if he takes over (so I can shower for example) his method of soothing is to bounce the baby very vigorously or pat his back very hard. This doesn't work of course and makes me very stressed and the baby cry harder.

Without trying to sound critical of his methods even though I find it stressful to witness, I try to tell him ways I've found of soothing him (walking around and rocking gently etc) To which his response is, "I feel like a shit dad because I can't stop him crying" and then walks off, leaving me with a screaming baby.
I've tried discussing this with him but to be honest I just need some advice please.

OP posts:
crazeekat · 04/05/2025 19:30

Sometimes they just need to let him cry. But he needs to stop the rough handling. Take him off him every time he does this. If he doesn’t stop then don’t let him near him. He’s a new dad I get it but he’s a grown up. The internet is full of advice and yes he will feel shit for not getting him to stop. But his ways are so wrong. And is stressing u all x send him to a parent class.

tripleginandtonic · 04/05/2025 19:33

Let him work it out, unless you think he's acting in anger. Rough or firm? there's a difference.

Worrywort98 · 04/05/2025 19:59

tripleginandtonic · 04/05/2025 19:33

Let him work it out, unless you think he's acting in anger. Rough or firm? there's a difference.

I wouldn't say it's anger, but more tension/frustration. Just a little too firm/ bordering on rough for my liking. Even if I suggest 'maybe try this way' or straight up say please go gently, either way he takes it personally and says 'well then you take him as I've things to do' and just leaves me to it. Not exactly helpful although he is in so many other ways. It just makes me quite anxious as I feel I can't leave the baby with him for too long.

OP posts:
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