When Reddit user jerseydd welcomed his newborn son, he knew that the postpartum period would bring challenges—not just sleepless nights, but emotional ones too. Concerned for his wife’s mental health, he reached out to the r/NewParents community with a heartfelt question: "What can a husband do for a wife experiencing postpartum depression?"
His vulnerability struck a chord. “I know the postpartum will hit soon. What can I do as a husband? New moms, what did you do to get through postpartum depression?” he asked. Dozens of people, many of them moms who had been through it themselves, offered deeply personal advice and practical suggestions. Their answers were a powerful reminder: love is in the little things—and the big things too.
Simple gestures can make a world of difference
User yoons_td shared her daily lifelines: long showers, skincare routines, foot massages, and nighttime feedings split with her husband.
"My husband has been my absolute rock and I feel more and more myself every day."
— @yoons_td
Another user, CanUhurrmenow, emphasized taking over the “crap” work—literally and figuratively. Changing diapers, managing feed schedules, and keeping her hydrated were his acts of love.
"Kiss her forehead, hug her, show her love."
— @CanUhurrmenow
Sleep, space, and serious support
Several commenters stressed the value of uninterrupted sleep and time alone. User Fabulous_Eye_7931 said the best thing her husband ever did was handle night wakeups so she could rest and recover—mentally and physically.
User Silent-Impaler gave a powerful reminder: “Give her a day to herself. Don’t call her unless it’s an emergency. Let her breathe.”
"When she gets back, don’t immediately give the baby back. Let her have a minute."
— @Silent-Impaler
Affirm her worth—and listen without judgment
The emotional toll of postpartum depression and anxiety (PPA) can be staggering. For some, all it took was their partner’s encouragement. “My husband always told me I was a great mom,” said Ceeceemay1020. “That made a big difference.”
User ZestySquirrel23 said her husband's confidence in her “mom gut” helped her begin trusting herself too. In a sea of doubt, that trust was everything.
Sometimes, support means calling in reinforcements
Not everyone can heal on love and naps alone. User abelle09 spoke candidly about how Zoloft changed her life after battling postpartum anxiety.
User cmb0710 opened up about reaching a point where her husband was afraid to leave her alone. “Encourage her to talk to a doctor,” they said. Medication saved them both.
Small acts matter. Show up and show love.
Whether it’s bringing her coffee before she wakes up, giving her the space to cry, or simply saying “I’m proud of you,” the consistent message across all the responses was clear: don’t wait to be asked.
User NNunez28 put it best: “Do small things! Support her, hug her, bring her flowers.”
If you're struggling with postpartum depression
You're not alone. Postpartum depression affects nearly 1 in 7 women. The National Library of Medicine has extensive resources on PPD, and many organizations offer hotlines and counseling for both moms and partners. No one should suffer in silence.
As singer Adele once said of her own postpartum experience, “It can come in many different forms and can happen in many different ways.” The more we talk about it, the easier it becomes to reach out, support one another, and heal.
If you or someone you know is struggling with postpartum depression or anxiety, speak to a healthcare professional, and don’t hesitate to seek help from organizations like Postpartum Support International.
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