5 Helpful Ideas to Create Intimate Connection With Your Partner

By Christie Collbran | February 3, 2024
Intimate Connection With Partner, Mom and Dad kissing, baby lying next to them

It’s been a while since you brought your new baby home. So many emotions…

Joy and stress.

Mountain tops and valleys.

Moments of pure bliss followed by moments of panic and overwhelm. 

What a rollercoaster! 

You feel like your brain cannot bear to hold one more responsibility or emotion. 

That’s why during this time, connecting with your partner can feel almost impossible. 

While this can be true, connecting with your partner is more important now than ever before. Your partner is the cornerstone of your support system. 

But I get it…

Sometimes you are physically together but feel miles apart.

You’ve discovered how quickly parenting eats up your time.

The time you spent only together is now spent…

  • changing diapers
  • calming a fussy baby
  • playing with your toddler
  • everything else on your list

But, it might surprise you– there are many ways to connect with your partner on a deeper level.

As a new parent, the challenge is creating and planning time with your partner. Taking the time to do so can result in many benefits. 

Spending time with your partner: 

  • Increases your happiness 
  • Increases your partners happiness 
  • Give your relationship more stability 

Research supports it! 

There is a positive correlation between interaction with your partner and relationship stability. Meaning, that the more time you spend with each other, the better your relationship will be. 

The next challenge is making time for each other. 

No worries. 

It might not take as much time as you think. I’ve put together a few ideas to stay connected with your partner that are easy to try out and fun to do. It is a challenge worth facing – and you’ll be happy with the results of your dedication! 

Idea #1 – Plan Regular Date Nights

Carve out time each week just for you two. It doesn’t have to be an extravagant, expensive date night. It could even be a simple night at home after your kids go to bed. 

The ultimate goal is to create quality, intimate connection with your partner regularly. 

There are many activities to do out in Tampa and at home. 

Here are a few ideas for your date night: 

There are so many options! 

Try to take turns on who plans the date. It will make it more exciting and give you something to look forward to. Also, it doesn’t always fall on one person to plan the date. 

Make it fun, easy, and something you both enjoy.

Idea #2 – Create a Bedtime Ritual Together

Sometimes, at the end of a long day, you don’t have much left. 

What I mean is… 

You just got the baby to sleep. Shushing, rocking, swaying, feeding– she’s finally in a peaceful sleep!

Now it’s time to put your feet up and zone out on the couch. Maybe scroll through Instagram for a while, and then pass out. 

Does this sound like your routine? 

It’s okay.

Because babies are hard.

Caring for a baby can make caring for everyone else that much harder. 

Here’s the good news:

Connecting with your partner at the end of the day doesn’t take that much time. 

Here’s my advice: 

Get together and come up with a bedtime “ritual” or routine that you both like.

Here are a few ideas:

  • Tell each other one notable event that happened
  • Drink a hot cup of tea together
  • Ask each other one question about their day
  • Eat a small snack together 

It doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s simple but can bring you closer to your partner than you’ve ever been. 

Extra bonus:

When you create a better sleep routine for you and your family, your baby will likely sleep better.

Better sleep for baby = built-in quality time

It doesn’t get much better than that.

Idea #3 – Hug When You’re Reunited 

Another good idea for intimate connection is the physical act of hugging. 

Hugging your partner has a wide array of benefits: 

  • Better heart health 
  • Better immune system
  • Increased happiness
  • Reduced fears and pain 

One study revealed blood pressure decreases after hugging or affectionately touching your partner. During a hug, oxytocin (the love hormone) is released. This results in a happier, content demeanor from both parties. 

There’s always time for a hug. It’s the catalyst for intimate connection and happiness! 

Idea #4 – Reach Out and Check on Each Other Throughout The Day

Whether you’re spending all day with the baby or grinding away at work, you always have time to check in with your partner. It only takes a minute or two! 

Here are a few ideas on how to stay connected throughout the day: 

  • Text or make a quick call during breaks
  • Text when you are thinking of them
  • Download an app like Marco Polo and send videos to each other
  • Send a funny picture of your baby or kids
  • Send voice memos on an app like Voxer

We have so much technology at our fingertips. There are so many ways to stay connected throughout the day.

Find something that works for you. 

Idea #5 – Verbally Express Appreciation and Affection

Do you ever gaze over at your partner lovingly… thinking about all the special moments you share? Everything you’ve been through? 

Don’t keep it to yourself! Tell them. 

A lot of the time, we keep thoughts to ourselves when it comes to praising our partner. 

Shouldn’t they know me well enough to read my mind by now? 

No. 

Nobody is a mind reader. When you’re thinking about how amazing they are– tell them. When they do something you appreciate– tell them. 

Don’t hesitate! 

Expressing gratitude for your partner is linked to increased communal strength. Communal strength is the degree to which you care about your partner, and vice versa. 

In other words, showing gratitude for your partner makes your relationship stronger. 

There’s just something about hearing “I appreciate you.”

Then, you can know your partner appreciates you. You don’t have to guess. Hearing the words creates a different effect.

It’s… 

Affirming, warming, and calming.

Leave the guesswork out of your relationship and tell them how much you appreciate them. 

You won’t regret it! 

We’re Here For You

At Buddha Belly Doulas, we’re here for you during your pregnancy and postpartum journey. 

Connecting with your partner can be difficult when you have just brought your baby home and are transitioning to a new life. 

Take some of the pressure off and consider hiring a postpartum doula to support you. It’ll make it easier to adjust to your new schedule and connect with your partner more. 

Learn more about hiring a postpartum doula here. 

We’re always cheering you on! 

Also check out: Routines Build Consistency For Babies and Children

Posted in Family Life, Parenting, Postpartum

About Christie Collbran

Christie believes in helping women recognize their own inner wisdom, strength and power. Having served as President of the Tampa Bay Birth Network for six years and with ten years serving families as a birth doula, she has a reputation for leadership, dedication and compassion. A childbirth educator, certified lactation counselor as well as a certified doula, she makes a point of ensuring mothers and their partners understand all their birthing options and what to expect on their journey.> keep reading