Thanks to a grant from NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Urgent Appeal, special guides for new fathers to help with the best start for families across the Hywel Dda University Health Board area have been purchased.

Staff in the health board’s Perinatal Mental Health Services are using the 38-page, wipe-clean DadPads® to help new dads to develop the necessary mindset and practical skills, help them to gain confidence and give them the tools to provide the best support for baby.

With fewer face-to-face clinics and meetings as a result of the pandemic, the DadPads® have been a valued resource and Specialist Lead, Jane Whalley, said they had already received great feedback from dads who had received them.

“New dads are very keen to have these guides to give them support, especially with less face-to-face contact during the pandemic. It is good for the baby’s and dad’s mental health,” said Jane.

“We have been using the guides since last summer and, once dads have finished with them, they are returned to us and, because they are wipeable, we can reuse them.

“We are hugely grateful for the support that has enabled us to purchase these DadPads®, which we also have in an electronic Welsh version and an easy read version.”

The guide includes advice on feeding, holding and handling the baby, caring for a crying baby, sleep, changing a nappy, bathing baby, bonding and communicating, play and learning, first aid, child development and milestones, relationships, and parenting advice and support.

The Covid-19 Appeal was launched by NHS Charities Together in March last year to help with the impact of the pandemic on NHS staff.

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