Prenatal, Parenting Tips For Dad From County Health Office

From AA Arundel Health Dept.: Department of Health Features Prenatal and Parenting Tips for Fathers June 17 is Father’s Day, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health encourages fathers to play an important role in prenatal care and parenting. For tips on how fathers can be involved during pregnancy and after the baby is born, download the free “Fathers Card” PDF from www.aahealthybabies.org.

“Men should not underestimate how much they can do both during pregnancy and after birth to make sure that their babies are healthy,” says Acting Health Officer Frances Phillips, R.N., M.H.A. “By staying actively involved, dads can make a big difference in the health and well-being of their children.”

The Department of Health offers the following recommendations for fathers:
• Go to health care appointments and attend childbirth or parenting classes with your baby’s mother.
• Don’t smoke around pregnant women or babies, and help your baby’s mother stay away from smoking, alcohol and drugs.
• Support breastfeeding—it is best for the baby.
• Always put the baby to sleep on his or her back, alone and in a safe crib.
• Never shake a baby. Shaking a baby can cause brain damage or death.

To order a free Healthy Baby Care Kit, take free online child care classes, or get more information on calming babies, secondhand smoke, safe sleep, home safety and other pregnancy and infant care resources, county residents can visit www.aahealthybabies.org or call 410-222-7223.

Image Via Shuttershock