5. Everything Dads Need to Know about Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

 

My wife Serenity struggled with postpartum anxiety, but neither of us knew what that was. She was having a rough time, but I didn’t know if that was normal, or what to do about it. Learning about Postpartum Depression and Anxiety helped us understand what was happening for her and what to do about it. 

This episode is deeply personal. May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and I want to talk about what can happen for women after they give birth—their brain physically changes, their emotions shift, their anxiety can creep in at 2 a.m. when the house is quiet but she still can’t sleep. 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression and even more have postpartum anxiety. Most dads have no idea what to look for or how to help, I sure didn’t. 

So here I felt compelled to share what I’ve learned about how to identify these conditions and what to do about them such as, listening without fixing, setting up real postpartum support plan (yes, with spreadsheets), and how sharing night feedings saved our sanity. From the way motherhood physically rewires a woman’s brain to the quiet moments when you realize she hasn’t had a minute alone in days—this is what we need to talk more about.

If you’re a dad, a partner, or just want to show up better for the moms in your life—this one’s for you.

This one’s for every dad learning how to support a partner through the chaos of new parenthood—and for every mom who's felt unseen in the process. Serenity, I love you. Happy Mother’s Day.

 

In this episode, we discuss:

  • What’s the biggest mistake partners make during postpartum?

  • How can dads fully support a mom after birth?

  • Why does invisible labor lead to resentment in relationships?

  • What’s the Fair Play method and does it really work?

  • What are the best first foods for babies—and why are most baby foods falling short?

Watch the Full Episode

Joe Carr is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate educator on fatherhood and partnership. Driven by a desire to provide high-quality, nutrient-dense baby food for his daughter Della, Joe and his wife founded Serenity Kids baby food brand after experiencing their own health transformations through clean eating. Now, alongside his work in revolutionizing baby nutrition, Joe is on a mission to help new dads navigate the transformational journey of fatherhood. Through his podcast and social media platform Dadicated Joe, he shares real, honest conversations about showing up for your children, supporting your partner, and embracing the identity shift that comes with becoming a dad.


 
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4. My Wife Tells Me the Hard Truth About How I Show Up as a Dad