A new father is questioning whether his marriage can survive after his wife refuses to let him hold their newborn baby.
It’s normal for new moms to feel protective, especially in those first few months. But what happens when that fear extends to the baby’s own father?
One 33-year-old man shared his heartbreaking story on Reddit’s AITA forum, revealing that his wife, 31, won’t let him hold their child because she believes he’s too clumsy and might drop her. Now, he’s wondering if divorce is the only way forward.
“I Thought She Was Joking—She Wasn’t”
The dad admitted that he does sometimes knock things over by accident, but he insists it’s not extreme. However, his wife doesn’t agree.
During her pregnancy, she casually mentioned that she wouldn’t let him carry their daughter because of his clumsiness. He laughed it off, thinking she wasn’t serious. But when their baby arrived, reality hit hard.
“I was shocked at how reluctant she was to even let me hold the baby in the hospital,” he shared.
Over time, it became clear this wasn’t just a phase. His wife panicked whenever he was near their baby. The few times he did get to hold her, she was visibly tense, watching his every move like a hawk.
“She Sleeps in Another Room With Our Baby”
Things only got worse. His wife moved into another bedroom with the baby and refused to let him hold their child, even while sitting down.
“She almost never leaves our daughter alone with me,” he explained. Even when he suggested using a baby carrier for walks, she dismissed it, insisting he would trip and fall.
Hoping to work things out, he suggested therapy. But his wife shot that down too. “Talking won’t fix your body,” she told him, making him feel incredibly self-conscious.
“She Caught Me Sneaking Into the Baby’s Room”
Desperate for a connection with his child, he once tried sneaking into the baby’s room while his wife was asleep.
Big mistake.
“She screamed at first and then told me to leave immediately,” he recalled. He insisted he wasn’t going to pick up the baby, just wanted to hold her hand. But his wife didn’t believe him.
The argument that followed was explosive. Years of patience and understanding cracked under the weight of two months of frustration.
By the end of the fight, he found himself checking into a hotel, wondering if his marriage was beyond saving.
“I Think I Have to Leave”
Feeling defeated, he confessed: “Even though it hurts so much, I think I am going to part ways.”
But commenters on his post urged him not to give up just yet. Many suspected his wife’s behavior wasn’t just about him—it could be severe postpartum anxiety.
“Your wife is showing concerning signs of postpartum mental health struggles,” one commenter wrote. “Please reach out to a doctor before this gets worse.”
Another agreed: “This is NOT normal. She needs medical help ASAP.”
One person even shared their own experience:
“I WAS your wife. I was terrified of letting anyone near my baby, even my husband. He almost left. But instead, he got me help. Please, please try to help her before making a decision you’ll regret.”
A Hopeful Turn?
After reading the flood of emotional responses, the dad had a change of heart.
“I won’t be leaving her,” he wrote. “I’ll try my best to help. I know it’s tough, but I’ll do whatever I can.”
It seems like this family’s story isn’t over yet. Let’s hope they find the support they need—together.
