Having a baby is a very exciting time but also involves a lot of changes to your lifestyle. One such change is how your relationship with your partner will adapt from anticipating the birth of your child through to coping with new routines.

Many mums report that an obvious change occurs once the baby is born. This is especially the case with having your first baby. The new parents have to quickly adapt to having a new person in their lives. New routines need to be learnt and there is a realisation that the new baby is the most important focus. This often results in the focus to shift away from each other as a couple. In the chaos and wonder of seeing to your little one, it often means less time dedicated to each other and certainly less so, since there was just the two of you. It's important to recognise that this will happen and yet don't lose sight of neglecting each other. Once you've become more settled into a routine, you should try to dedicate some quality time to spend with your partner, even if it is just for an hour or two to talk once the baby has gone to bed!

Many new dads often feel pushed aside slightly after the birth of their child and this feeling can be heightened especially once dad has returned to work. They may feel excluded and even jealous that they can't be spending more time with their new family. To some extent their lives don't encounter as much change as yours will do. They won't have to face the issues of juggling work, friends and financial independence. Despite this, they still want to be involved. Include your partner as much as you can with sharing chores and routines to overcome this.

Your new life with a baby will become hectic at home. At times you'll probably be very tired coping with the new routine and this makes it easy for some couples to become argumentative with each other. Arguments can often occur about lack of sleep and a lack of sex life. Many new mums say that their partners want to return to a full sex life and which the mums cannot face because of extreme tiredness. Be honest and open and communicate your true thoughts with each other to avoid resentment building up.

Here's a few points on keeping your relationship at its best with your partner:

* Spend quality time with just your partner even if it's just for an hour over dinner. Turn the T.V. off and talk!

* Involve your partner in chores, discussions, purchases and decisions about the baby as much as possible so that they feel included.

* Communicate openly to avoid arguments. If you're tired and feeling irritable because you've only had a couple of hours sleep tell him that!

To find out more about dealing with changes in your life and for help in creating a life that you love, visit www.horizonsregained.com