Fathers-to-be are learning childcare skills from new dads and their babies in a peer support programme being piloted in Staffordshire.
The 'Hit the Ground Crawling' approach has been developed by the Fatherhood Institute from a groundbreaking scheme in the United States, called Boot Camp for New Dads. It aims to inspire and equip men to confidently engage with their new babies by encouraging them to attend a one-off, three-hour workshop. During the session they can discuss their thoughts and concerns with other fathers in a relaxed setting, and be shown how to care for a baby by their peers. For some men it is their first opportunity to hold a small baby.
East Staffordshire Children's Centre in Burton-on-Trent trialled the scheme last year and already has five sessions planned for 2009. The workshops are overseen by specially trained staff. Topics discussed include:
- What the men's own fathers were like
- The importance of teamwork and working together
- Dad's role as champion
- Post-natal depression
- Crying babies and shaken baby syndrome.
Community development worker Nicola Ellis, who has facilitated the sessions, says, 'It is a big change in lifestyle and daunting to have a new identity as a father. These one-off workshops increase their confidence in their ability to cope with a newborn baby and to care for their partner.
'It is led by the fathers, who can talk from their own experience and are often very open, rather than by the professionals, who are there just to guide the topics. It is good for expectant fathers to know that others have similar worries. It can be a big relief for them. They don't feel stupid asking the fathers questions and they cover a wide range of issues, from labour and the birth, to what they should do when the baby cries and how their partner will be after the birth.
'Some of the fathers have commented that if mums were also included, the conversation would be very different and some felt that the women would take over.'
Wellbeing outcomes
The scheme is a response to research that has shown the huge impact that involved fathers have on the wellbeing of mothers and children. It is hoped that by encouraging men to interact with their newborn, the scheme will help promote bonding and a long-term relationship.
David Bartlett, services manager at the Fatherhood Institute, says, 'We think the workshop can achieve a great deal of confidence and knowledge on the part of men in the parenting role.
'The father-child relationship makes a big difference for the outcomes of children, especially if a father becomes involved early on. It is an influential period because they can then become bonded and feel comfortable and well-informed in their new role, which sets them up for the future.'
It has been found that men are more likely to attend a one-off session than sign up for a course. The easiest time to engage with men is often during their partner's pregnancy because they tend to be actively involved in antenatal services, such as booking appointments, attending scans and the actual birth. Success is reliant on agencies, especially midwives, signposting the scheme to expectant fathers. It is also popular with mothers who often express dissatisfaction with how services do not engage with men during the pregnancy.
Mr Bartlett adds, 'It involves ordinary groups of guys - not just white, middle class, touchy-feely new men. They can talk about things that they would not normally address. It really is a simple, uncomplicated model.'
FEEDBACK FROM FATHERS
'At first I was very nervous. I was panicking about fatherhood. But this session has given me every confidence and done me the world of good. I am full of confidence now.'
'I thought it was a good idea to set up a Hit the Ground Crawling workshop because you learn a lot about becoming a dad from other dads.'
'The main thing I thought worked well in the session was what to do when your baby starts to cry - have patience!'
FURTHER INFORMATION
The Hit the Ground Crawling programme is ready to roll out to children's centres and antenatal providers. The package of training and on-going support costs £5,000 plus VAT. Contact Dirk Uitterdijk, regional development officer, d.uitterdijk@fatherhoodinstitute.org, 07874 044089
Boot Camp for New Dads, www.bcnd.org.