Can New Dads Get Postnatal Depression?
Fathers can experience postnatal depression too. Becoming a dad can bring joy, worry, exhaustion, and feelings you may not have expected. You can love your baby and still find this stage difficult. If you are struggling, you are not alone, and support is available.
Feeling low or finding it hard to connect with your baby does not make you a bad father. This article can help you recognise when you might need support and take a first step towards getting it. A healthcare professional can assess what you are experiencing.
How Common Is It for Fathers in Singapore?
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing followed 200 fathers in Singapore during pregnancy and after their babies were born. One month after birth, 5.26 per cent screened positive for depression on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Another questionnaire, designed to pick up depressive symptoms in men, found that 7 per cent were at high risk and 14.3 per cent had moderate symptoms. These results suggest that some fathers may need further assessment and support; they do not confirm a diagnosis of depression.
The study also found a link between fathers’ mental health, how supported they felt and how confident they were in caring for their babies. Becoming unwell is no one’s fault. The findings highlight how important it is for fathers to feel cared for and supported as they settle into parenthood.
An earlier local study, cited in a Ministry of Health parliamentary reply in February 2021, estimated that 1.8 per cent of fathers experienced postnatal depression six weeks after their babies were born. The two studies used different methods and assessed fathers at different times, so their figures cannot tell us whether paternal postnatal depression has become more common.
What Might It Feel Like?
You may not have a clear way to describe what is happening. Perhaps you feel unlike yourself, or everyday things have become harder to manage.
Signs of depression can include:
- Feeling low, empty or hopeless.
- Losing interest in things you usually enjoy.
- Feeling unusually irritable, restless or anxious.
- Struggling to sleep even when you have the chance to rest.
- Finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
- Feeling guilty, inadequate or unable to cope.
- Finding it hard to feel close to your baby.
Recognising some of these feelings does not automatically mean you have depression. It does mean that how you are feeling deserves attention.
When Should You Speak to a Doctor?
If these feelings have lasted more than two weeks, are getting worse or are affecting daily life, make an appointment with your GP or polyclinic doctor. You can seek help sooner if you are worried; you do not have to wait until things feel unbearable.
You do not need to know whether it is depression before making an appointment. You could simply say:
“We’ve recently had a baby, and I haven’t been feeling like myself. I’d like some help understanding what’s happening.”
Your doctor can assess how you are feeling and discuss support or treatment. In Singapore, fathers identified as having postnatal depression may be referred to polyclinics or other mental health professionals.
If you have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else, seek urgent medical help. If you feel you may act on those thoughts or cannot keep yourself or others safe, go to the nearest hospital emergency department immediately. You deserve support through this moment.
These services in Singapore can provide youb with support:
| Resource | How It Can Help |
|---|---|
| GP or polyclinic | A starting point for an assessment and referral to mental health professionals where needed. Find a GP clinic or polyclinic near you on HealthHub. |
| National Mindline 1771 | Mental health support available around the clock. Call 1771, WhatsApp 6669 1771 or use online chat. |
| Mindline | Self-help resources and guidance on finding mental health support. Visit mindline.sg. |
| Community Mental Health Teams (CREST) | Mental health screening and psychosocial support for adults aged 18 and above. Find a CREST team near you. |
Small Steps That May Help This Week
You do not have to work everything out at once. Alongside seeking professional support, consider taking thse steps:
- Let someone know how you are feeling. Choose someone you trust: your wife, a friend, a sibling or another father. You might say, “I’ve been finding things harder than I expected. Could we talk?” You do not need to explain it perfectly.
- Ask for practical help and time to rest. Talk with your wife about what each of you needs and who might be able to help. A family member or trusted caregiver could look after the baby while you rest, or help with meals and household tasks. Both parents need care during this adjustment.
- Get to know your baby at your own pace. If it feels manageable, try a small routine together, such as changing a nappy, soothing your baby or spending a few quiet minutes holding them. There is no need to force a particular feeling or expect an instant bond.
- Find space to talk with other fathers. Sharing experiences with other dads may help you feel less alone. You can explore Centre for Fathering’s father and mother groups or programmes to find out what support may suit your stage of parenthood. Peer support can offer companionship and encouragement alongside professional care.
If Your Wife Is Struggling Too
It can be difficult to see your wife struggling while you are also trying to find your feet as a father. You may feel you need to put your own feelings aside, but both of you deserve support.
You could gently say, “I’ve noticed things have been really hard lately. How are you feeling, and how can we get some support?”
Gently encourage her to talk to her doctor, and offer to go along if she would like your support. Your well-being matters too, so you can also share how you have been feeling. According to the Ministry of Health, hospitals may check on a father’s well-being during the mother’s appointments, especially if she is experiencing postnatal depression.
You can also explore the father and mother groups supported by Centre for Fathering and MUMs for Life for opportunities to connect with other parents.
Your Next Step
If you have not felt like yourself, consider telling someone you trust today. If the feelings have lasted more than two weeks, are worsening or are making daily life difficult, arrange a GP or polyclinic appointment.
For community support, explore Centre for Fathering’s father and mother groups and programmes, or get in touch through the contact page. You deserve care as you learn to care for your baby. Asking for support is part of looking after yourself and your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can new dads get postnatal depression?
Yes. Fathers can experience postnatal depression. A Singapore study published in 2025 found that about one in twenty fathers screened positive one month after their baby’s birth. It does not mean you have failed as a father.
Does it only happen just after the birth?
Mental health difficulties can develop during pregnancy as well as after a baby arrives. Do not dismiss how you feel because it seems too early or too late to ask for support.
Should I wait to see whether it passes?
You can speak to a doctor whenever you are concerned. If your symptoms persist for more than two weeks, worsen or affect your daily life, seek an assessment. You do not need to manage alone while waiting to feel better.
Can dads test for depression?
Screening questionnaires can help identify symptoms that need further assessment. The Singapore study used both the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Gotland Male Depression Scale. A screening result is a starting point for a conversation with a healthcare professional, rather than a diagnosis on its own.
What if I find it hard to bond with my baby?
Finding it hard to feel close to your baby can be upsetting. It can also be a symptom of depression, so mention it to your doctor. You do not have to hide it or feel ashamed of asking for help.
References
- Chua, J. S., Ng, J. Q. X., Chee, C. Y. I., Shen, L., Dennis, C.-L., Chong, Y. S., & Shorey, S. (2025). Struggles of fatherhood: A prospective study on the incidence of paternal postpartum depression and associated factors. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 34(6), 2248-2261. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.17684
- Chee, C. Y., Chong, Y. S., Lee, D. T., Ng, T. P., Tan, J. L., & Fones, C. S. (2004). Perinatal depressive disorders in Singaporean women and their partners. Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 33(5 Suppl), S38-S39. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15651199/
- Ministry of Health. (2021, February 25). Paternal postnatal depression [Written answer to parliamentary question]. https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/paternal-postnatal-depression/
- Ministry of Health. (n.d.). Mental health services. Retrieved 11 November 2026, from https://www.moh.gov.sg/seeking-healthcare/find-a-facility-or-service/mental-health-services/