Really important to recognise that dads can be anxious and depressed as well as mums around the time of birth – this study suggests lack of social support one of the risk factors, perhaps more antenatal education targeted at dads would help with this?
A new study shows that fathers as well as mothers can suffer from anxiety and depression around the birth of a new baby; around 1 in 10 men are affected.
Source: Dads get baby blues, too
Wonderful photos of dads meeting their baby’s for the first time
Source: 18 heart-warming moments when fathers met their babies for the first time
The fantastic Mark Harris on Radio 2 this afternoon talking about his book and dads and birth – well worth a listen
Blog piece about dads bonding with their babies
Source: Adorable Advert: Nervous New Dad Bonds With Baby | BellyBelly
Great piece by an Australian dad about entering the female world of birth
Interesting piece summarising the findings of research by Anna Machin into fathers during pregnancy, labour and early parenting
Loads of great publicity around for this new book by midwife Mark Harris – I have not finished reading yet but already I can tell that it is definitely one I would recommend to expectant dads.
Source: Former builder turned MIDWIFE pens birthing ‘bible’ for blokes | Life | Life & Style | Daily Express
Information about a weekly dads group in Huntingdon – a couple of mums had asked me recently if there was anything around that was on a week day.
Final thing for Father’s Day – if you know an expectant dad with a baby due in the autumn please pass on the link about Mantenatal morning in September – great way for dads-to-be to meet others and think about pregnancy, birth and early parenting from their point of view
Source: Mantenatal course in Cambridge for due dates in October and November – 5G/C1251 | NCT
Another great article for Father’s Day – lots of interesting points so sad to hear of a dad being told his role for labour was to make sandwiches, fill the car with petrol and do as he was told – dads can do so much more to benefit them, their partners and their children we need to think about how we can support.
GENDER equality was recently put centre-stage by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, with a commitment to ensure that no woman faces a “glass ceiling” that limits their ambitions.
Couple more things for Father’s Day – first this piece about the need to engage with fathers – as others have said today many of us involved in trying to do this already – but more to do
Source: Time to Act for Dads & Partners | Maternity Experience
Ahead of Father’s Day tomorrow this is a fantastic and moving reflection on fatherhood by one dad
A cartoonist’s journey into first-time fatherhood
Source: Father’s Days
Hinchingbrooke maternity open day tomorrow 11-3 tours cake and lots more please RT
An interesting piece from the Guardian giving a dads perspective on extended breastfeeding.
Some useful video clips on the NHS site about how dads can prepare for birth and how it feels to be a birth partner.
Advice for dads to be on the new department for health website start4life.
Here’s an interesting blog about when parents to be disagree about whether to find out the sex of their baby at the 20 week scan – this is on the new combined Dad Talk and Dads Info website – worth a look.
Jon R. says
Mantenatal has been really useful and now that I’m a dad I constantly draw on the tools, techniques and knowledge I acquired during Jenny’s classes. During labour I was really focused on being able to support my wife as best I could and some of the skills I picked up really helped me (and my wife!) make her labour as comfortable as possible. Attending was a very good use of my time and really helped me prepare for my new arrival. Additionally I gained lots of value from chatting with other dads and dads-to-be over coffee and sharing stories/ideas! It would be great if Jenny were to do a follow up sharing the secrets of how to get babies to eat, sleep and be happy (although so far, so good!)
Simon L. says
I really enjoyed attending the Mantenatal session and would thoroughly recommend them. It was great to rub shoulders with other expectant dads and, without our other halves present; we could really let our hair down! Even though I attended NCT antenatal classes two years ago with our first baby, I was surprised to see how much I had forgotten. I feel more confident going into the birth of our second child as I feel the course has refreshed my knowledge. I’ve also scored valuable points with my wife!
Interesting clip of ‘Commando Dad’ talking about his new book for new dads which uses terminology from his time in the army in early parenting
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