How to bathe, burp and change your first-borns nappy is something many new fathers find challenging
A charity in Edinburgh is offering dads a helping hand with all these things at Scotland’s first antenatal classes for men.
Dads Rock have teamed up with NHS Lothian to offer hands-on experience to men before the birth of a child.
Called Dads2b, the classes cover all the essential skills those new to parenting find themselves worrying about.
Thomas Lynch, from the charity said: “It’s something dads who attend our playgroups have been asking for.
“We are really excited about these classes and can’t wait to work with the new dads to help them be the best dads that they can be.
“It’s a great partnership and we’re really pleased to have NHS Lothian’s expertise.”
Dad-of-one, Ray Kirk from East Calder, said similar classes helped him prepare: “The classes were a great opportunity to learn about the life-changing event that is having a baby.
“In a ‘guys only’ format, the classes gave me a chance to chat about any concerns or worries I had in a very informal environment.
“Our daughter was born by C-section and for the first two weeks I was doing most things like bathing, dressing, changing nappies and the practice I had was invaluable.”
In January, the Prime Minister said that he wants all mums and dads to sign up for state-backed parenting classes to learn how to communicate, discipline and play with their children.
David Cameron said he personally could have done with more advice on raising children.
At the start of the year, he announced the relaunch of vouchers for parenting classes and that the Government would be increasing the funding for relationship counselling for troubled families.
Last year, a single father in Florida created a class to teach other dads how to style their daughters’ hair.
Philippe Morgese said he was forced to learn how to do basic brushing, ponytails, braids and buns after he became a single parent.
Using the knowledge he learned, he has now set up his own free class at a local hairdressing academy.
It has been dubbed the “Daddy Daughter Hair Factory” to help others in the same situation.
