A father in China, who quit his high-paying job to care for his baby, has divorced his unsupportive wife and claimed to suffer from post-partum depression.
The 32-year-old man from Sichuan province in southwestern China, known online as Jasmine’s Dad, shares his parenting routines on social media and has attracted 11,000 followers.
A former manager in pet food sales, he used to earn about 20,000 yuan (US$2,800) a month. Now he only makes 4,000 yuan selling baby products through live-streaming.
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His daughter, Jasmine, was born in May 2023.
With both sets of grandparents working in other cities and no budget for a nanny, he said it made sense for him to step in.
His job was more flexible than his wife’s stable government position, so he quit to take on full-time parenting after her maternity leave ended.
He wakes up at 6am to Jasmine’s cries, makes her formula, changes nappies, and spends hours playing before taking her to the park.
By 5pm, when she naps, he finally has time to cook and make videos.
Sleep is rare because Jasmine wakes every three hours at night, and the strain from carrying her left him with joint inflammation.
He recalled a frightening episode when Jasmine was diagnosed with pneumonia and was in a critical condition.
He stayed by her hospital bed without sleep or a shower for five days, only to be blamed by both families.
He said that his wife, who was only at home at the weekend due to work, often criticised rather than supported him.
“She often got upset when I did not change Jasmine’s clothes,” he said, adding: “But I was just too overwhelmed to manage it.”
Arguments over parenting eventually ended in divorce.
Jasmine’s Dad recently shared a video on social media saying he was diagnosed with post-partum depression.
Post-partum depression is a mood disorder that affects new mothers, causing persistent sadness, anxiety, and sleep issues.
While commonly linked to women, men can also suffer from paternal postnatal depression, which often shows up as stress, irritability, and physical symptoms like headaches or stomach pain.
Doctors advised both parents to seek emotional support, therapy, and medication if needed.
Jasmine’s Dad said he felt little joy as a full-time father. He described feeling overwhelmed by pressure from family and society, and said his life felt “wasted”.
His story has sparked much discussion on mainland social media and attracted 4 million views.
One online observer said: “You are a father, not the one who had morning sickness, a C-section, sore nipples, or hormone changes. What do you have to be depressed about?”
While another person wrote: “People often forget that fathers are new to parenting too. It is their first time, just like it is for mums.”
“I am a full-time father of two boys. I have balanced work and parenting, even if it means less of a social life. I am proud of that,” said another.
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