Ron Pena and baby Kai
PROGRAM BRINGs GUIDANCE TO NEW DADS
More than 1000 dads across Northern Sydney Local Health District signed up to a free program to help new and expectant fathers navigate the challenges of parenthood this year.
The Focus on New Fathers program is a pilot that is run by NSW Health. The program sends text messages to dads offering valuable health advice and links to other services to help them understand, connect and support their baby and partner. When his partner was 16 weeks pregnant, Ron Pena signed up to the program. He said the texts helped validate some things he had already been doing in the lead up to the birth, but also provided new ideas like putting a pillow behind his partner’s back as she slept on her side to make her sleep more comfortable.
Baby Kai was born in February this year. Once Kai was born, Ron notified the program and the messages he received changed to focus on interaction with his baby and helping his partner post-birth. “The context and timelines were spot on,” he said. “I like the fact there’s no pressure to respond or interact, but it acts as a good prompt.” Ron said he found the service gave him new ways to interact with Kai, for example a message about gazing into his eyes. “Previously I did not know simply
staring into my baby’s eyes could be so valuable for him,” he said. “I would recommend this to other dads because you don’t have to interact, it sits in the back of your mind, it triggers an action, is low- touch and requires very little time compared to other ‘help’ which is often more involved. “And my partner appreciates the extra effort.” Men living in northern Sydney can sign up to the program if they are over the age of 18, their partner is at least 12 weeks pregnant or their baby is younger than six months.
WWW.NSLHD.HEALTH.NSW.GOV.AU 43
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