Simple Ways to Improve Your Relationship After Baby with Brittany Keating
Relationships can change in big ways after bringing a baby home—and navigating those shifts isn’t always easy. In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Keating, a licensed professional clinical counselor from Evolve Counseling in Amherst, Ohio. Together, we talk about the real challenges couples face in postpartum and how moms can feel more confident starting honest conversations that strengthen their relationships.
Brittany is Perinatal Mental Health Certified and shares simple, practical strategies to help moms communicate better, set healthy boundaries, and reconnect with their partners during this demanding season of life. Whether you’re struggling with unmet expectations, feeling disconnected, or just trying to figure out how to talk about what you need—this episode will leave you feeling supported and empowered.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why relationships feel harder after having a baby
Simple tools to help moms feel seen, heard, and supported
How to ask for what you need without guilt
Ways to reconnect with your partner during the postpartum season
… and a whole lot more!
Relationship Challenges After Baby: What No One Tells You
One of the first things Brittany shared was this: Postpartum relationships are hard—and not because you’re doing it wrong.
The exhaustion alone makes it tough to communicate clearly. You're both running on fumes, trying to care for a new baby while still showing up for each other. Add in societal pressure to “do it all,” a lack of paternity leave, and the fact that you’ve never done this before, and it’s no wonder things feel harder than expected.
She called it the “now you know club.” Meaning: you don’t really understand what it’s like until you’re in it—and then suddenly, you get it.
So many moms feel isolated in their struggles. But this conversation is your reminder: you're not the only one.
Common Postpartum Struggles in Relationships
We broke down some of the most common issues couples face in the early weeks and months of parenting:
Uneven responsibilities (especially when one partner doesn’t have time off work)
Middle-of-the-night loneliness when you're the only one feeding or soothing the baby
Silent expectations that lead to resentment or misunderstandings
Societal pressure to be the “perfect mom” and never complain
Mental health challenges that go unspoken
The biggest takeaway? Clear communication and shared expectations matter. So does giving each other grace as you figure out new roles and rhythms.
Communication Strategies That Actually Help
One of Brittany’s specialties is helping couples communicate more effectively—and she shared some gems that are doable, even when you're sleep-deprived.
Here are a few simple strategies:
🗣 Use “I” statements to avoid defensiveness (e.g., “I feel overwhelmed” vs. “You never help me”).
🕰 Pick the right time for important conversations—avoid heavy talks in the heat of the moment.
📝 Write letters to each other if it’s too hard to express emotions out loud.
📆 Schedule regular “State of the Union” check-ins to talk about how you're each doing, what’s working, and what needs adjusting.
💛 Clarify what you heard (“So what I’m hearing is…”), so nothing gets lost in translation.
These tools may seem small—but over time, they create space for honesty, connection, and healing.
Don’t Do It Alone: Ask for Support
One thing we both agreed on: you shouldn’t be doing this by yourself.
Ask for help. And be specific. Don’t just say, “Let me know if you need anything.” Try, “Can you bring me dinner on Thursday?” or “Would you be able to hold the baby while I nap?”
Whether it’s a postpartum doula, a friend, or your partner—you are allowed to need support.
And if you’re navigating postpartum depression or anxiety, it’s even more important to speak up. About 20% of moms experience PMADs—and many never tell anyone out of fear or shame.
But Brittany reminded us: asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.
Friendships Matter, Too
It’s not just your romantic relationship that changes after baby—your friendships need support, too.
But staying connected doesn't require grand gestures. Brittany shared some low-lift, high-impact ways to maintain friendships:
Sending a Marco Polo video message during a contact nap
Dropping a meme or “thinking of you” text
Sending a Starbucks gift card with a note
Inviting a friend to share a meal (even takeout!)
Planning a simple walk with strollers
These moments of connection can carry you through, especially when you feel like you've lost a piece of yourself in new motherhood.
Therapy Isn’t Just for “Crisis Mode”
Finally, Brittany shared this vital reminder: Therapy doesn’t have to be a last resort.
It can be a proactive way to reconnect, build stronger communication habits, and navigate parenthood together. You don’t have to wait until things feel broken to get support.
Couples therapy can help you:
Learn new communication patterns
Rebuild emotional intimacy
Talk through parenting decisions
Process birth trauma or postpartum mental health challenges
Even if you just go for a few sessions—it can make a lasting difference.
Actionable Takeaways
Here’s how to begin improving your relationship after baby, one small step at a time:
✔ Use “I” statements and focus on expressing, not blaming
✔ Start a “State of the Union” check-in once a week
✔ Write a letter to your partner if it’s hard to talk face to face
✔ Ask for help—specifically, directly, and without guilt
✔ Look into couples counseling as a proactive way to grow closer
You’re building a life together, and that includes growing through the hard things—not just surviving them.
How to Connect with Brittany:
>> Evolve Counseling, Amherst, OH
>> Email her: brittany@evolvecounseling.com
>>Follow Evolve Counseling on Instagram
>>Follow Evolve Counseling on Facebook
Resources Mentioned in the Podcast:
Want More Support in the Postpartum Season?
The Postpartum Mental Health Toolkit: A Resource Guide for New Moms is a free, supportive guide designed to help you understand what’s normal, what’s not, and how to get the support you deserve. Inside, you’ll find trusted resources, signs to look out for, and next steps to take if you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or just not like yourself.
Because your mental health matters just as much as your baby’s milestones.
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Relationships can change in big ways after bringing a baby home—and navigating those shifts isn’t always easy. In this episode, I’m joined by Brittany Keating, a licensed professional clinical counselor from Evolve Counseling in Amherst, Ohio. Together, we talk about the real challenges couples face in postpartum and how moms can feel more confident starting honest conversations that strengthen their relationships.
Brittany is Perinatal Mental Health Certified and shares simple, practical strategies to help moms communicate better, set healthy boundaries, and reconnect with their partners during this demanding season of life. Whether you’re struggling with unmet expectations, feeling disconnected, or just trying to figure out how to talk about what you need—this episode will leave you feeling supported and empowered.