New father problems no one talks about

New fathers have emotional and physical needs too, but these issues tend to get sidelined with the focus on the mother and baby

When Mr Richard Lee and Ms Krisa Qiu's baby was born, they wanted to establish their own ways of caring for the child instead of listening to conflicting advice from parents, in-laws and healthcare professionals. Mr Mohamad Nizam Vanderbeek and his c
Mr Mohamad Nizam Vanderbeek and his children. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO
When Mr Richard Lee and Ms Krisa Qiu's baby was born, they wanted to establish their own ways of caring for the child instead of listening to conflicting advice from parents, in-laws and healthcare professionals. PHOTO: COURTESY OF RICHARD LEE
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Four months after they had their first child three years ago, Mr Mohamad Nizam Vanderbeek wanted to resume sexual relations with his wife.

But the 36-year-old was worried she would be too tired for sex. She had recently returned to work after maternity leave and the couple were both handling night feeds for their son.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 18, 2019, with the headline New father problems no one talks about. Subscribe