Dad explains why he takes night shifts with the baby even though his wife is on maternity leave

New moms sacrifice and struggle a lot through their pregnancies and it doesn't end even after giving birth. From staying awake for long stretches, be it day or night to putting their career on hold, they have a lot on their plates. During this phase, having a supportive partner who helps every step of the way makes a huge difference. Professor Neil—who goes by @professorneil on TikTok—shared his experience of taking night shifts with the baby in a video stitch with Paige Turner (@sheisapaigeturner on TikTok), a known advocate for equal labor distribution in households. She was being called "selfish" in the comments for suggesting that new moms take help from partners at night to take care of babies.

She reacted to the comment by saying, "I simply suggested that the new dad could participate in the overnight feedings and Jen here thinks that that's crazy and selfish." Professor Neil responded to her video, "So, it's currently 2 am and I'm awake with this little one and I'll be on call for another two hours or so." In the video, he is seen sitting with his newborn on his lap in a dark room, which seemed to be a nursery.

He added that he and his wife switch around 4 am and that he still works a full-time job. "She is on parental leave, which means I work full-time and she also works full-time, so I might have to work a full day on four hours of really awful sleep. I mean, what's the alternative? That she has to work a full day on none?" the dad expressed. He went on to say that every parent is working even if they are at home. "Parenting is work. Parenting is labor. Stay-at-home parents work. I have no idea why are we still having this argument?"

The video received over 637k views on TikTok and is captioned, "Stitch with @Paige We're all working. We're all tired and we all have to work in the morning, too." People could resonate with what Neil shared. @meganmeyeohmeye commented, "Personally, it's easier to go to work with little to no sleep. But to watch a baby with no sleep is literally insane." @libber44 wrote, "I never understood the work argument. I still have to stay awake all day to take care of the baby and other kids. I need sleep, lol." @ashleyresent expressed, "Why, as a father, would you want someone caring for your newborn on zero hours of sleep? I can't understand these people's thinking. Great explanation!"

@renee.051403 shared, "My husband gets up even though I stay home. My grandpa said, 'I never did that, I had to work.' My grandma piped up and said, 'I had to work too, but I still got up.' Men got away with too much. That's crazy." @kathrynnp2012 said, "My son was exclusively breastfed, so I had to get up every time. But my husband got up with me and we watched 'Shark Tank.'" @oakandlane wrote, "My husband doesn't get up with the babies, but that's my choice. I think the level of hazard associated with his job deters me from him helping at night and going sleep deprived."

You can follow Professor Neil (@professorneil) for more content on his views on different subjects.