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Child and Family Health Service
Acknowledgement
The Child and Family Health Service acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Traditional Custodians of Country throughout South Australia. We acknowledge and respect their ongoing and deep spiritual connection and relationship to land, air, sea, waters, community and country. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices and names of people who have passed away.

Becoming a dad

Becoming a dad for the first time can be one of the happiest and most exciting times in your life. It is a unique experience that can be very emotional and introduce newfound challenges as you balance, caring for your baby, yourself and your relationship.

How dads can be involved during pregnancy

It can be hard to understand what your role is as a dad and how you can support your partner during her pregnancy. Pregnancy and childbirth can be exhausting both physically and emotionally and your partner may need your help along the way.

Learn more about how you can support your partner during pregnancy:

Adjusting to becoming a dad

It’s normal for you to be feeling a range of emotions in the first few weeks and months as you adjust to being a dad. Many dads can feel unsure and hesitant during the early stages after birth, but there are lots of ways you can get involved:

Here are 10 tips for getting started as a dad:

Relationship changes can be unexpected for new parents; however, this is something that most parents will experience. Having a baby often brings a lot of joy, however it can also cause relationship challenges that you may not have experienced before.

Different expectations, less sleep, less opportunity to communicate, less time to spend with each other, can all take their toll on your relationship while you’re caring for your new baby.

For more information and advice on how to look after your relationship:

For more information and advice on being a dad:

Becoming a dad means learning new skills, such as changing a nappy, preparing a bottle or maybe you’re holding a baby for the first time. These resources are designed to help you learn these skills:

Bonding with your baby

You might bond with your baby after you hold them for the first time, but for some parents that bond may take some time. It might take weeks or months of getting to know and understand your baby.

You might be worried about how to bond with your baby and about getting it right. Remember, that being with your baby and spending time together is a great start.

The following resources have lots of ideas on how you can bond with your baby:

There are parenting programs in the community for dads, which are designed to support you during the first few years of your child’s life. These programs can be a great opportunity to talk with other dads who are experiencing similar feelings.

Programs such as Circle of Security, support parents to see the needs of their children and build safe and secure attachments with them. These programs are often found in your local children’s centres and are usually free of charge.

To find your closest children’s centre:

Looking after yourself as a dad

Becoming a father is a lifechanging event, although it is an exciting time it can still be challenging and bring on a range of mixed and complex emotions. Although having a range of emotions is normal, it can still be challenging to manage.

1 in 10 new dads will experience perinatal depression and anxiety. Accessing supports can be daunting and sometimes difficult however there are supports out there for dads.

If you or your partner are feeling particularly stressed and/or overwhelmed, we encourage you to speak with your CaFHS nurse who can support you and your family.

If you’re having thoughts about hurting yourself or your family, speak urgently to your GP or call Lifeline Australia on 131 114. If you believe that someone’s life is in immediate danger, call 000 or go to your local hospital’s emergency department.

Getting help for antenatal or

Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention

Lifeline provides short term support who are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping or staying safe. Lifeline can be contact by calling, online chat or SMS.

24/7 crisis support service.

PANDA Helpline | 1300 726 306 - Support that’s always there, for you and your family

Panda offers a range of free supports for men and fathers who want support for their mental health, advice on how to support their partner or parenting support.

Monday to Friday, 9am - 7.30pm and Saturday, 9am – 4pm (AEST/AEDT)

MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78 - Phone and Online Counselling

MensLine offers free professional support over the phone, online chat or video chat for men wanting help with family and relationship issues, including relationship breakdown, separation and divorce, parenting, family violence, and emotional wellbeing.

24/7 men’s counselling service.

Beyond Blue | 1300 22 46 36 - Support for Anxiety, Depression and Suicide Prevention - Beyond Blue

Beyondblue offers free confidential phone counselling or online webchat counselling.

24/7 brief phone counselling support.

Mental health care plan

Every Medicare card holder in Australia is eligible for a Medicare rebate for:

  • 10 sessions of individual in-person or telehealth counselling sessions per calendar year

To access a mental health care plan, book a double appointment with your GP. Your doctor will complete a questionnaire and you will create your plan together.

For further information on recognising and managing your mental health:

Dad and Partner Pay

Dad and Partner Pay is an entitlement under the Paid Parental Leave Scheme. It’s paid directly to working dads or partners by the Australian Government. Find out more about Dad and Partner Pay on the Raising Children Network website.

More information and resources

Becoming a dad may feel overwhelming at first but there are many resources offering plenty of information and advice on sleeping, feeding, settling and playing that will assist you to adapt to the brand new experience of fatherhood.

Parenting Easy Guides

Videos