Becoming a parent is a beautiful, joyous, and tiring experience. For many couples, this transition brings out the best highs and the worst lows. It's most people's most significant and life-changing experience.

Going from a couple focused only on each other to two responsible partners who have to make the baby a top priority, can be a difficult shift. Often, your relationship will need to take a backseat to the demands of parenthood.

If you're finding that as you settle into parenthood, you and your partner are having less fun, annoy each other more, and feel disconnected - you are not alone.

According to many psychological studies, the majority of marital relationships suffer a period of strain after the birth of a first child. The good thing is, research also shows that taking a hit to your partnership is not inevitable.

In this article, we will go over five habits that you can get into to make time for each other and keep up the heat, even while you are spending most of your time trying to keep that adorable new addition out of harm's way.

Prioritize Sleep

One of the factors that make parenthood so hard on relationships is that your sleep schedule gets completely destroyed. According to the United Nations, preventing prisoners from sleeping is the worst form of torture.

We willingly accept this into our lives when we have a baby, even if we don't fully understand the consequences. When you don't get enough Zs, you'll find yourself feeling irritable and maybe even hostile.

Typically, couples fight about who gets more sleep at night. Prioritize finding a balance and take care that your spouse is getting the sleep they need.

Replace Arguing With Dancing

Your baby is like a sponge that sucks up energy. If you and your partner are often fighting, you're going to find that your baby is upset much more often than if the environment was peaceful.

One of the best tips we have ever heard from a couple of new parents is that they replace arguments with mini dance sessions. As they talk through their problems, they twist and turn to the music. This is a great way to spread love through the room, even during tough moments.

Express Gratitude

It's important to remember not to get bitter against one another. Once you start having to share responsibilities, it is easy to assume that the other person is holding their own. Remember that they're most likely doing the best that they can.

You may have little time during the day and forget to say, "thanks for making dinner' when you're rushing to put the baby to bed, but remember to express gratitude whenever you can. The more you give, the more you will receive.

Start a New Hobby Together

Okay, obviously, you won't be able to get into anything too time-intensive, but you can make room in your day to do collective family activities. Start reading to each other and the baby.

Other easy hobbies are card games. Monopoly Deal is a fast and quick game that's perfectly competitive and great for couples to play in the only free ten minutes that they have together per day.

Don't Forget About the Bedroom

Last tip, but one of the most essential - don't forget about sex. Women, we know it can be hard to get into it after you have a baby, but even if you just take time to hold each other and cuddle, your relationship will thrive.

Skin to skin isn't only important for parents; it also helps keep marital bonds. Take time to be romantic, even experiment. Learn more about sensual massage and tantric sex. These slow and intimate moments may be exactly what you need after a long, seemingly endless day.

Final Note

When things are at their worst, and you're feeling cranky, remember that you and your spouse are partners in this. Take time to talk to them about your needs, and listen to theirs. If they express any dissatisfaction, don't take it personally, and understand that they may be struggling as much as you are.

Schedule five minutes a week to talk to each other and embrace. You have built a beautiful family, and your happiness is the key to its success.