What is your child telling you, dad?
Take the time to talk to your child and watch for his or her signals.
When you talk to your child, it helps them to feel secure.
Your child wants to engage socially from the second he or she is born.
Your baby uses their body to communicate.
Familiarise yourself with your child’s language and signals as they reflect their maturity, needs and stage of development.
Your presence, voice and capable hands are comforting, especially when situations seem overwhelming for your child.
Whenever your child needs to be weighed, moved, fed, dressed, have their nappy changed or blood tests taken, you can help soothe them and support their ability to keep calm.
Did you know that…
- your child benefits greatly from spending time with you.
Babies’ brains mature and develop through social interaction.
Research shows that premature children are discharged from the neonatal unit earlier when fathers play an active role in their care. - Skin-to-skin contact can be a natural way to get to know your child.
This practice can also support your child’s sleep and growth as well as help both of you find peace and reduce stress.
Skin-to-skin contact
Skin-to-skin contact is a great way to physically bond with your child and get to know them.
It supports your baby’s development and strengthens your own experience of becoming a dad.
Research demonstrates that it’s just as beneficial for the child to have skin-to-skin contact with their father as with their mother.
See more here: Look at me – I’m talking to you!
The texts for ‘Dads of premature babies’
were created collaboratively by first-time dads of premature babies, doctors, nurses from neonatal units, public health nurses, and the Child, Maternal and Family Health Care research group in The SUPPORTED study project, which aims to foster a more father-inclusive culture in a family-centred context within the healthcare system.
