Free Dad cards for all midwives

Did you know that you meet more dads at work than any other professional?

The Dad card makes it easy for you to inform the dads you see at work - because what dads know and do matters to mothers and babies.

The Dad card (PDF file)

You've asked us:

• Who are Dad Info?
• What are Dad cards?
• Dad cards are free? Really?
• Is there advertising on the cards?
• Is my unit distributing Dad cards?
• How do I get Dad cards?
• Will I need much storage space?
• Are midwives required to work fathers?
• Has your content been checked by miwives

To ask us any other question: contact us

"Including New Fathers" Free midwives' guide

Research, policy and practice analysis

Midwives' e-newsletter

Midwifery resources

• Midwives Online
• The RCM
• The NMC
• MIDIRS

Who are Dad Info?

Dad Info is a small team, including midwives, which aims to get information to expectant and new fathers so that they can do the best for their children and families, and help midwives quickly and easily get quality information to new dads.

Our Chief Executive (Duncan Fisher) is also the head of The Fatherhood Institute, the UK's fatherhood think tank, and has worked closely with Government in the formulation of DoH policies around Maternity issues and fathers.

What are Dad cards?

Small pocket sized Z-cards that can fit into dads' wallets and prompt them to visit and register with www.dad.info.

They were designed this way following feedback from midwives and dads as they are a neat and convenient way of helping you engage with dads - they can be stored, displayed and distributed easily in boxes designed to sit on a reception desk.

You can pop a few in your bag or pocket and signpost men to our website in seconds just by handing them out to dads-to-be that you meet.

Dad cards are free? Really?

Yes they are completely free to UK midwives. And free to dads too.

Is there advertising on the cards?

Yes, there is a small amount of appropriate advertising in order to make them free! But don't worry - the midwives on our team have sought NMC guidance to vet the adverts used.

Our current sponsors are The NSPCC, Children’s Mutual (Child Trust Funds) and the Government's family information services phone line.

Is my unit distributing dad cards?

You can check if your unit has signed up to distribute Dad cards, and who our contact person is. If it's on our list, it's signed up.

• Current list of Maternity units signed up to distribute Dad cards

Since December 2007, we have been making contact with every maternity unit in the UK. If your unit hasn't spoken to us yet, please ask the most appropriate person to contact us.

How do I get Dad cards?

Your unit may have already signed up to distribute - if so, you can find out who in your service you should ask here:

• Current list of Maternity units signed up to distribute Dad cards

If your unit hasn't yet subscribed to dad cards and you'd like some, please talk to the most appropriate person and ask them to contact us.

Will I need much storage space?

We have tried to make them as small as possible - we know it's important to you. One box contains 250 cards and is about the size of an average hardback book.  

We are very mindful of storage constraints within clinical areas and we are able to deliver them in manageable batches based on your annual birth rate – to confirm your unit’s own unique circumstances, ask your contact person to contact us.

Are midwives required to work with fathers?

As you know, you're required to keep yourself up to date and adhere to Government policies. Several new policy documents emphasise the importance of engaging fathers within Maternity services.

By providing fathers with pregnancy related information and involving them in maternity care, you'll be working towards achieving Government recommendations.

We've made sure that this website has information on all the issues the National Service Framework for children, young people and maternity services wants covered (on page 32).

All our articles on pregnancy, birth and babies are checked by senior midwives before we upload them and you can signpost to us with confidence.

The Fatherhood Institute has a great "Why and how" guide to including fathers in Maternity services, which was funded by the Department of Health.

Has Dad Info content been checked by midwives?

Yes. All of our articles on pregnancy, birth and babies have been checked by a Senior Midwife from Midwives Online. We've also run out breastfeeding information past the Department of Health's Breastfeeding team, and we're grateful to La Leche league for additional comments.

We're aware that we always need to keep an eye on our articles to make sure there up to date with research and practice, and that despite our checking, sometimes things slip through. So if you spot any factual errors on our website, we'd really like to hear from you so that we can put things right. Just get in touch with us to let us know.

Contact us

If you'd like to get hold of some cards or have any questions for us, please email us.

If you'd like to speak to our midwives, please call:

• Emma on 01827 284558 or
• Philippa on 07787 371120

If you'd like to speak to us about another matter, please get hold of us via our contact form.