What should dads do during postpartum?
It’s a simple question. But for many couples, the answer feels unclear.
In this episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast, I sat down with Antonio from @wawalifter, a babywearing educator and father from Peru, to talk about how dads can help in the postpartum stage.
If you're wondering what dads should do during postpartum, here are the exact questions we covered…
I Want to Talk About Organizing Postpartum Chores and Cleaning With My Husband, But He Doesn’t Understand Why It Matters. What Would You Say to Him?
Antonio explained that organization saves energy.
Postpartum brings many unknowns. You don’t even know what you don’t know yet. When chores and routines are discussed ahead of time, you reduce stress later.
For example, if washing dishes is part of the evening routine while baby is in a carrier, both parents benefit. One partner showers. The other cleans. The task gets done without chaos.
Without systems, small things escalate. Dirty dishes mean you can’t cook. Then you order food. Then your budget feels tight. Then tension builds.
Organization is not about perfection. It is about preventing unnecessary problems.
It also prevents arguments. When roles are clear, couples don’t fight over whose job it was to clean the floor.
That clarity protects the relationship during a vulnerable season.
Expecting a baby? Be sure to download your free postpartum prep checklist!
Are There Any Systems or Routines That Are Helpful for Organizing Chores and Cleaning as a New Dad?
Antonio recommends dividing tasks into three categories:
Personal Tasks
These are tasks only one person can do. For example:
Exercise
Showering
Work meetings
Each partner chooses realistic personal priorities.
Shared Tasks
These can be done by either person:
Cleaning
Cooking
Walking the dog
General tidying
Using a checklist keeps things simple. If it’s done, it’s checked. No guessing.
Team Tasks
These are done together or in sequence.
For example, with cloth diapers, one person changes while the other pre-washes. Cooking can also be a team task, especially when babywearing. Antonio often cooks with his daughter on his back, turning daily chores into connection and learning time.
These systems reduce overlap and lower stress.
And that’s key when asking what should dads do during postpartum.
I Want to Help as Much as I Can With Chores During Postpartum, But I Only Have a Short Paternity Leave. What’s Your Advice?
Start before the baby arrives.
Meal prep. Freeze food. Reduce high-maintenance routines. Simplify where you can.
After a full workday, decision fatigue is real. Having prepared meals means less thinking and fewer dishes.
Antonio also shared something important: accept some chaos.
Not everything will stay perfectly clean. Some laundry may sit folded in a corner. Focus on safety and wellbeing first.
He also encouraged building community. Friends who understand postpartum will not judge a messy home. Social support protects mental health.
👉 You might also like: Babywearing for Dads
So, What Should Dads Do During Postpartum?
To support the postpartum stage, dads should:
Take responsibility, not just “help”
Create systems before baby arrives
Divide chores clearly
Reduce decision fatigue
Protect connection between the motherbaby dyad
Embrace imperfection
Stay connected to community
Antonio's conversation is about more than “just chores”. It is about understanding that fatherhood can be nurturing, organized, and intentional. Because postpartum recovery is not just about the mother. It is a shared season of adjustment for the whole family. We share more tips in the full conversation!
Be sure to listen to the complete episode of The Postpartum Prep Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.