Information
“She was great, she engaged us both and explained everything. Because of that I knew how to support, even with things like breastfeeding.”
Dads consistently told us that the information they had access to impacted their ability to feel positive about themselves as dads, and as a result, the development and wellbeing of their family. But they also told us that they had ‘leaflet fatigue’.
“If I get given another leaflet without someone actually speaking to me…well, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
Dads valued having access to information that they could consider in their own time (like leaflets), but they also wanted connection, interaction and humanity to go along with it.
So, no matter what your role, if you bump into new or expectant dads then you have a part to play as a potential provider of important information, counteracting ‘leaflet fatigue’ and using your interactions as opportunities to either provide or signpost to valuable information. Whether your interactions with dad are fleeting, or you engage with dads in more in-depth ways, by thinking critically about your role in providing information, you can in support dads’ health and wellbeing as well as the growth and wellbeing of their families.
IN THIS LESSON, WE EXPLORE:
What information dads want to hear and how the information you give to dads can have a positive impact on their own and their family’s wellbeing. Specifically, we look at:
How you can enable dads to access the services they need when they need them.
Improving dads’ wellbeing through equipping them to support the baby’s other parent.
Working with dads to find ways that they can bond with their baby, even before they are born.
Preparing dads for changes in the relationships around them and how to manage these.