In the United States, the third Sunday in June is “Father’s Day” - a time to recognize and celebrate all the people who serve in the role of father to their own children as well as to other people in their life who benefit from having a parental relationship with them.

As childbirth educators and birth professionals, we observe time and time again how important it is acknowledge, support and celebrate fathers during our classes that serve families during the childbearing year.  Here are five ways that educators can easily lift up the fathers who are standing by the side of the pregnant people.

1. Encourage fathers to sing to the baby in utero.  A newborn will recognize the voice of their father, if they have been exposed to their voice during the pregnancy. After birth, hearing the familiar voice singing an oft-sung song will calm the baby and reduce stress.  Penny Simkin has covered this on Connecting the Dots in two prior blog posts, here and here.
2. Provide multiple opportunities for the fathers and non-gestational parents to connect with each other during class time, away from the pregnant parents.  Select activities to do during class that offer the fathers and other support people time to work collaboratively on a task and share their experiences, wisdom and concerns with each other.  This builds community and assures fathers that they are not alone on this journey.
3. In class, discuss the importance of skin to skin with the baby early and often.  Encourage fathers to initiate skin to skin when the person who gave birth gets up to go to the bathroom for the first time.  Remind them that they are a great stand-in if the birthing person is temporarily unable to hold their baby after birth for any reason.  This special bonding time can continue frequently in the early days, weeks and months.
4. Practice and discuss the benefits of baby-wearing during class time.  Create opportunities for fathers to try on carriers in class with the practice dolls.
5. Communicate that fathers also can be at risk for perinatal mood disorders, especially if the birthing or postpartum person is dealing with this challenge as well.  Share national and local resources where fathers can get support for any depression or anxiety they might be experiencing around the birth of their baby.

Fathers are amazing parents too, and creating confidence in the expectant fathers who attend our classes by sharing evidence based research and resources specific to their needs can ensure that the bond is strong right from the start.

Happy Father’s Day to all those fathers who show up every day, in the very best ways possible, to support their children and their families.

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