There’s no question that a mother’s body changes in miraculous ways throughout pregnancy, birth, and new motherhood. And while it might seem like Dad’s biological job is done at conception, science shows us that a partner’s pregnancy and the birth of a child cause major biological changes for fathers, too.
The science is settled: most new dads experience a decline in testosterone during pregnancy and following the birth of their child. The reason for this change is that a decline in testosterone in men clears a path for increased production of oxytocin, the hormone involved in love, connection, and caregiving. A slight decline in testosterone during this period of life can be normal and can even help you bond with your baby.
The trouble is that steep declines in testosterone are well-documented to negatively impact men’s mood and energy levels. Men with low testosterone can struggle with sleep, commonly experiencing insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Drops in testosterone can also change men’s body composition by increasing body fat and reducing lean muscle. And there’s more: low testosterone levels after a baby is born have been shown to reduce sex drive, zap emotional resilience in stressful circumstances, and strongly predict paternal postpartum depression. "We tend to think of postpartum depression as a mom thing," said researcher Darby E. Saxbe, discussing findings from a 2017 study on symptoms of postpartum depression in mothers and fathers. "It's not. It's a real condition that might be linked to hormones and biology."
But there’s no need to panic. New fatherhood is a beautiful challenge, and you’re up to the task. You can prepare for a healthy, blissed-out newborn period by taking steps to support testosterone balance. Dads-to-be and new dads should prioritize prenatal and postnatal nutrition along with quality sleep, exercise, and strategies to manage stress. The goal for testosterone support for new fathers isn’t to maximize testosterone levels, but rather, to fuel in a way that keeps hormones balanced and steady.
Men’s nutrition before and after baby is born doesn’t have to be complicated. Beli Vitality, the men’s prenatal vitamin to help increase your chances for conception and a healthy pregnancy, will continue to help support hormonal balance throughout your partner’s pregnancy and the following the birth of your baby. Beli’s proprietary Vitality BlendTM is the first to include the all-natural Shilajit as a key ingredient. Recent studies have confirmed that supplementing with Shilajit corresponded with higher testosterone levels.
That’s the wisdom we offer to you, dad: taking care of your own hormonal health will help you show up as the father you always dreamed you’d be.
