Based on the 2021 National Household Care Survey, fathers spend 8 hours of childcare now as compared to the pre pandemic average of 5 hours back in 2017. The COVID pandemic has forced many Filipino families to stay at home which is an opportunity for fathers to spend more time with their family. For first time fathers, parenthood is a transformational phase in their life, and it starts during the child’s first 1000 days which begins at conception up to the child’s 2nd birthday. In a 2016 study on first time Filipino fathers, one respondent stated: 

“I didn’t think about anything else other than having a kid soon. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I ready for this? Am I mature enough for this? Can I handle it? Am I tough enough?”

This is a common question that first time fathers might ask, and they are not alone. Being a Super Dad for your family is a process and here are some guide on how you could be more involved in your child’s first 1000 days:

During Pregnancy

1. Accompany your partner in regular check-ups and mother’s classes. Fathers are also invited in mother’s classes that offer free education on early infant care and feeding as well as things to expect in the first years of life.

2. Prepare and eat nutritious meals with your partner. As the pregnancy progresses, they may experience morning sickness or limited capacity to prepare nutritious meals. By being aware of your partner’s needs, you can help prepare meals and encourage healthy eating by dining together.

3. Have regular physical activity or walks with your partner. Physical activity is recommended for pregnant women. You may have simple walks or simple physical activity together to encourage and make her feel safe.

4. Stop smoking and drink alcohol in moderation. Studies have shown that second-hand smoke exposure has increased the risk for congenital defects and long term risk for developing cancer for both the mother and fetus. Thus, by stopping smoking, you may protect your family from these health risks.

5. Sing or let your child hear your voice and feel for a response. Ultrasound studies have shown that early interaction of the father and baby through his voice during pregnancy generates a fetal response and early infant attachment. Fathers noted that it helped them develop a bond with their unborn child.

During Labor and Delivery

1. Prepare your paternity leave forms. Based on the Paternity Leave Act of 1996 or Republic Act 8187, male employees both from private and government agencies in the Philippines are entitled to seven days of paternity leave with full pay. You may use these anytime from within the duration of your partner’s pregnancy and 60 days after labor and delivery. Request these forms from your employer beforehand so you may file them easily in case of emergency.

2. Prepare a contact list of lying-in clinics and transportation to assist your partner in case of emergency labor. Your partner may not be able to arrange transport on the onset of labor pains. By having a plan, you may instantly get help and be able to transport your partner to the nearest lying-in clinic or hospital.

3. Provide emotional and moral support during labor. Fathers are allowed to accompany their partners during delivery unless contraindicated due to new COVID protocols in some hospitals.

4. Early skin to skin contact. Based on the Unang Yakap or the Essential Newborn Care Protocol, early skin to skin contact increases the baby’s skin colonization with healthy protective bacteria and helps with temperature regulation. It can also strengthen father-infant bonding.

Breastfeeding Period

1. Encourage your partner to breastfeed. Women are afraid to breastfeed due to the misconception that breastfeeding makes the breasts droop and decrease their aesthetic appearance. By reassuring your partner, breastfeeding can be more successful.

2. Give your partner some back massage. Back massages stimulate the oxytocin reflex. Oxytocin reflex is also sometimes called the “letdown reflex” or the “milk ejection reflex”. It makes the milk that is already in the breast flow for the current feed, and helps the baby get the milk easily.

3. Prepare healthy dishes for your partner. Prepare dishes with broths and plenty of green leafy vegetables like malunggay. Malunggay is considered as the lactating mother's best friend because it is a natural galactagogue, enhancing the milk supply and production. Malunggay can also help boost the mother’s immune system while making sure that her own resources are not depleted by breastfeeding. Other food items that are also good for breastfeeding are garlic, spinach, nuts and papaya.

4. Help manage breastfeeding problems. Familiarizing yourself with the known breastfeeding problems can help you anticipate and provide support for your partner, including provision of helpful devices such as breastfeeding pumps.

First 6 months

1. Take turns in taking care of the baby and doing house chores. Newborns have an irregular sleep-wake cycle thus you can take turns in taking care of the baby in terms of schedule so both of you can have adequate rest. This is also a great arrangement for doing all other household chores.

And Beyond

You have a role in your child’s development milestones, playtime and in teaching moral values and proper discipline. Your child’s first 1000 days is also a period of growth and development for you as a father. Many have gone through it, and we just learn through experience.

/AET

References:

Bakermans‐Kranenburg, M. J., Lotz, A., Alyousefi‐van Dijk, K., & van IJzendoorn, M. (2019). Birth of a father: Fathering in the first 1,000 days. Child development perspectives, 13(4), 247-253.

Edris, M. A. V., Barnard, A., & Bauyot, M. Filipino Fathers as Primary Caregivers.

Oxfam (2021). Filipino men log more care work hours due to pandemic but bulk of tasks still fall on women — survey. Retrieved from https://philippines.oxfam.org/filipino-men-log-more-care-work-hours-due-pandemic-bulk-tasks-still-fall-women-%E2%80%94-survey

Republic of the Philippines: Philippine Commission on Women. (1996) RA 8187: Paternity Leave Act of 1996. GovPH. Retrieved from https://pcw.gov.ph/republic-act-8187-paternity-leave-act-of-1996/

Shorey, S., & Ang, L. (2019). Experiences, needs, and perceptions of paternal involvement during the first year after their infants’ birth: A meta-synthesis. PloS one, 14(1), e0210388.

Villamor, N. J. E., de Guzman, A. B., & Matienzo, E. T. (2016). The ebb and flow of Filipino first-time fatherhood transition space: A grounded theory study. American journal of men's health, 10(6), NP51-NP62.

Zoleta, V. (2020). Paternity Benefits in the Philippines: A Father’s Guide to Paternity Leave. Yahoo News. Retrieved from https://ph.news.yahoo.com/paternity-benefits-philippines-dad-guide-080036759.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAA52dJJJYQXMiBZCVw1ZLd7aD03Rj00B0kCoRbcSS20ug6yH3pizii4yBYxyZmnMbm1g9EVA_WmIhVdAvTY9z8Hy-1puFI5IbpFf0vx0bFbE8CpD8dYosIa8QB9NTbegLfO3Wq5FzpT6nHqJ6PfL9p3BznD9MY_wB0mAKLbQxWeX