When I started out as a mentor, I was not familiar with postpartum support for dads. So when I shared a post about my coaching work in a Facebook group, I was expecting appreciation, maybe a few questions, but overall a warm welcome. To my surprise, one response stopped me in my tracks: “What about the dads?”
I realized I’d taken for granted that people would simply see the value of supporting moms. But that comment reminded me that fathers can struggle, too. They deserve the same recognition and support as their partners.
Dads need support, too (even if I’m not the one to provide It)
Parenthood can be a wild ride for dads just as much as for moms. Parenthood reshapes identity, roles, routines, and relationships — often in unspoken ways. And new dads can face emotional burdens that go unseen.
In fact, research shows postpartum depression affects roughly 8–10% of fathers, with some studies reporting up to 25% during the 3–6 months postpartum period (PubMed, Verywell Mind, Le Monde). When a mom is also experiencing postpartum depression, the dad’s risk can jump as high as 24–50% (BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth, PMC). These are not marginal experiences — they’re real and meaningful.
Symptoms in dads often show up differently than in moms — things like irritability, exhaustion, indecision, emotional numbness, or using substances to cope (Verywell Mind, BMC Pregnancy & Childbirth).
This is why postpartum support for dads is so important. Their struggles may show up differently, but they are just as valid. And while I wholeheartedly validate that dads need and deserve support, I also know I may not be the right person to provide it. Support works best when it comes from someone who truly shares your lived experience.
Why my work focuses on moms
My own journey has had a big influence on me wanting to coach and support other moms. It’s my experience with post partum depression, hormonal mood swings and breakdowns that inspires me to open up to other women and create a space, where they can feel save to express their own experiences.
That doesn’t mean I exclude others. When I say “mom,” I don’t limit it to biological mothers or traditional gender roles. My approach is gender-inclusive wherever it fits — I want to support people whose experience of motherhood connects with mine.
A unique strength of my work is cycle-aware coaching, helping women and others who menstruate understand how mood, energy, and capacity ebb and flow throughout their cycle. That specificity is powerful, but deeply personal — which is why I may not be the right fit for dads, whose bodies and rhythms I simply can’t speak from.
Postpartum support for dads and the importance of finding the right community
Support isn’t one-size-fits-all. The best community is the one where you belong — where you feel lighter just by being seen.
- Mom-specific circles offer instant recognition of things like sleep deprivation, mom guilt, and body changes.
- Identity-based or hobby-centered groups honor who you were before parenthood — your passions, values, and joys that still matter.
- Mixed or co-parent spaces can be healing too, when they foster deep empathy without comparison or exclusion.
If you’re wondering whether a group is right for you, here’s a quick checklist:
✅ Do I feel safe to be honest here?
✅ Do I leave conversations feeling lighter, not heavier?
✅ Are my struggles met with empathy, not judgment?
✅ Can I show up as my whole self, not just one “role”?
✅ Do I sense a spirit of encouragement rather than competition?
Community doesn’t have to come from a single place. You can have a mom group, a book club, a yoga circle — all serving different parts of you. What matters is that at least one of them feels like home.
The ripple effect of support
When moms are supported, families breathe easier. A calm, confident mom uplifts everyone — including dads. And when dads find support, moms gain space, relief, and partnership. Support for one parent strengthens the whole family. It’s not a zero-sum game; it’s about building connection, resilience, and belonging — together.
Looking back at “What About the Dads?”
So, what about the dads? They absolutely deserve care and recognition — and postpartum support for dads is critical. But I might not be the right person to provide it. My work is designed to meet moms (and others in similar shoes) with cycle-aware coaching and lived understanding.
That doesn’t diminish dads. It honors the unique roles, bodies, and needs of each parent.
Ready to join a supportive community?
If you’re a mom who’s ever felt misunderstood, overwhelmed, or simply tired of explaining yourself — I created a place just for you. In my free Facebook group Mom Village: Self-Care and Connection for Overwhelmed Moms, you’ll find compassion, real talk, and a community that gets it, even on your roughest days. No perfection. Just presence, support, and sisterhood. Come on in — we’d love to welcome you.
