of everything we do
Becoming a father
Nothing can quite prepare you for becoming a father, as it is life changing. It can often turn out to be a time of great challenge and extreme stress for both mum and dad. This pressure, along with a sense of struggling to navigate the unknown, can sometimes become overwhelming. The health visiting service recognises that fathers are important too and is working on ways in which we can include them in the support we provide.
DadPad
The DadPad launched September 2021 and is available as a hard copy booklet or a downloadable app. It was created because babies don’t come with a set of instructions, and Dads deserve to have the important information on what to expect and how to care for their baby. The creators listened to what dads, their partners, and professionals asked for and combined it all in the DadPad for dads-to-be. The DadPad app is for fathers who want to give their child the very best start in life. Whether you are about to become a dad for the first time or want to ensure that you can still cover all bases with a new addition to your family. The DadPad is best utilised as early as possible during pregnancy, around birt,h and beyond, and provides guidance for babies and children up to the age of two. It’s particularly useful to have during paternity leave. If you would like a hard copy, you can ask your Health Visitor, or for a virtual copy, please download the app.
Acacia Dads
Acacia is a mental health support service that was established in 2004. It offers support to families during the perinatal period. Recent research reveals that up to one in 10 dads will develop postnatal illnesses regardless of whether their partner develops it or not, and this includes not just depression/anxiety but also other perinatal conditions like OCD traits and post-traumatic stress disorder relating to the birth. Remember, depression/anxiety and other mental health problems are not a sign of weakness any more than a physical health problem is. They are a treatable health condition, and the sooner you get help, the sooner things will start to get better. If you live in Birmingham or Solihull, Acacia can offer you a range of support. They can provide a free support service for dads and partners who are affected by perinatal mental health problems in a wife/partner or for themselves. Ring 0121 301 5990 to access support or complete a self-referral form via the website. You can also search local support groups in your area via the website if you prefer group support.
Other support services include:
Whether you’re breastfeeding, formula feeding or combination feeding, our Infant Feeding Team offers friendly, evidence-based advice to help you and your baby get off to the best start.
If you’re a parent, carer or professional looking to refer a family for extra support, our Health Visiting and Family Nurse teams are here to help.
Supporting families across Solihull with trusted health advice and care — from birth through to young adulthood.