14 June 2019

Sunday marks the annual Father's Day celebration. Whether you are a new dad or an expectant one, we have some top tips for you about taking care of yourself and your family.

Embarking on fatherhood is an exciting time but it can also be a daunting one, especially when you are expecting your first child. The first thing to remember is that babies don't come with a handbook however there's lots of help out there from midwives, health visitors and via the NHS Inform Ready Steady Baby! guide. As long as you love them a lot, you can't go far wrong!

You can't predict the labour, so it's good to be prepared; a hospital bag with clothes for your partner and baby is a good place to start.

Once baby arrives, skin to skin contact is very important not only following birth but at any time in the postnatal period which is six weeks following birth. At NHS Borders we have introduced button-down jackets that can be worn after birth to help facilitate skin to skin contact between baby and dad whilst in hospital. These jackets are a result of collaboration between our Maternity Unit and Theatre staff who felt it was important that new dads should be able to engage in skin to skin immediately following birth whether in the Labour Suite, in Theatre or in Ward 17.

The science behind skin to skin shows that this contact helps babies to adjust to life outside the womb. Another benefit of skin to skin contact is that it releases oxytocin also known as "the love hormone" which supports your baby's brain development and allows you to develop a close and loving relationship with your baby.

It is important to take good care of yourself as well as your baby. Rest is an important factor; having a rest or taking a nap when your baby sleeps is a good idea to keep you refreshed and alert. Another way to reserve your energy is to accept help from your friends and family when it is offered.

Living an active and healthy lifestyle promotes both physical and mental wellbeing. Taking your little one out in the buggy for a walk or joining one of the many community groups available in the Borders is a good way to stay active and social too.

Speaking about good Paternal Health, Claire Grieve, Midwife (and Perinatal Mental Health enthusiast) at NHS Borders, said: "When having a new baby, it's important to look after yourself physically, mentally and emotionally. Make time for yourself, enjoy activities with your baby and make some new friends along the way. Don't put too much pressure on yourself – enjoy your new baby. A healthy child needs a healthy dad."

Fathers Network Scotland provides a range of support, resources and information for dads including antenatal services, recommended books and how-to guides. Their latest campaign "How Are You Dad?" is a Scottish Government funded pilot project aiming to provide support and create awareness about the importance of mental health including postnatal paternal depression, anxiety, stress and post-traumatic stress disorder in men.

Ready Steady Baby is a new campaign launched by NHS Inform which includes a new guide which has lots of helpful expert advice as well as step-by-step guidance on everything from getting ready for birth to nappy changing and feeding. Find out more online at www.nhsinform.scot/ready-steady-baby

Nurture the Borders offer pre and postnatal support for new families in the Borders, more information can be found at https://www.nurturetheborders.com/

Postnatal Depression Borders offer a range of confidential services to parents with children under the age of two, more information can be found at https://pndborders.org.uk/