An Expert Guide To Postpartum Sex And The Best Sex Toys For New Parents

From when it's okay to have sex again, to expert tips, this is everything you need to know about sex as new parents.

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You might be thinking: I’ve just had a f*cking baby, sex is the last thing I want to be thinking about right now. Or you could be thinking the opposite.

Either way, your path back to having sex after birth is completely your own. There’s no right or wrong way to do it.

But if you have questions, we’ve asked sex and relationships therapist Georgina Vass everything you need to know about starting to have sex again as new parents.

How soon is too soon?

While the NHS has little to no guidance on how long to wait until you can have sex after birth, around four to six weeks is a good benchmark.w

“Guidance varies, but for most births six weeks tends to be the recommendation of when one can medically return to penetrative sexual activity,” she says. “However, having the desire or feeling physically or emotionally ready to resume sexual activity may take much longer than six weeks.”

Research by Lovehoney last year found that 83% of women experience changes in their sexual function postpartum, including pain, libido drops, and body image concerns.

How will sex change after birth?

Naturally, these changes – not to mention the stress and fatigue of being responsible for a new life – can cause new parents to have less frequent sex.

“It usually requires more planning compared with before becoming parents,” Vass explains.

“Not only do some couples need to identify a time when they can both be available, but the logistics and changes in physical space may disrupt or diminish their capacity for private time.”

Intimacy is likely to look different when your little one arrives, which can take time to adjust to.

“Another common challenge is grappling with the shift in identity from parents/providers during the day to........

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