Was 2 weeks paternity leave enough? How long would you have liked DH/DP to be off with you and DC1?

[sockgate]

DC1 is due in a few months. All family members are at least a four hour drive away, there's no one who could come to stay and help if necessary.

DH will get two weeks of paternity leave, and can potentially add another one or two weeks to that. Due to previous health problems, I'm consultant led and slightly more likely to have a difficult birth.

I know it is impossible to say, because a lot depends on whether I end up with interventions/c-section, but was two weeks of paternity leave enough? Would an extra week or two weeks have been helpful with DC1? DH has some annual leave spare, but we're not sure if we'd be better saving that until I need a break a few months in. His work can't be that flexible ie if he wants to take off more than the odd day, he needs to give at least a few weeks notice.

Any experiences or suggestions would be very useful, thank you!

My DH took 3 weeks which was right for us, we did spend the first week in hospital so had 2 weeks at home together to get used to things

I think he should take as long as he can! The first day solo is daunting whether it is 2 w in or 4, but spending the most family time that you can in the early days is so important. My DH works nights and when DD was born he had to go back the day after she was born, the day that we came home, without him :( To be honest it was fine, it didn't feel like a hardship at the time we all just got on with what needed doing. When DD2 is born in June he will be taking four weeks off and I cannot WAIT to have him around for that long, esp with a toddler and a newborn! We even take opposite days off in the week so those four weeks are going to be heaven, no matter how hard they are, just for being together as a family!

My DH started a new job during my pregnancy so was entitled to no paternity leave at all, luckily his work allowed him to take some holiday when the baby came. It didn't work out that well though, I spent most of his two weeks holiday in hospital with him visiting daily and when I came home with the baby, DH found it really hard to leave us and go back to work after a couple of days.
If he'd have had paternity leave, he'd have definitely tried to tack some holiday on to the end of it and stay at home longer, if you have the option, I'd say take it.

Wow all u new mums were so lucky to have your partners have that much time off When DC1 was born DH took 4-5 days off and went back to work this time around with DC2 who is due in April will probably be off the day I come home from hospital and MAYBE the day after all depending on what day baby decides to arrive as he delivers meat around the country a couple days out of the week which cannot be missed ⭐️ feeling pretty overwhelmed at being home by myself with a toddler and newborn on my own so soon with DH