Becoming a New Dad – Transitioning to Fatherhood

New father’s hormonal changes Changes in the hormonal background during pregnancy and childbirth are unprecedented. They are needed to accommodate and feed newcomers. In the process of becoming a father, men also experience hormonal changes, although they are less important than women. About 4 weeks before the birth of the first child and about 5 weeks after birth, men’s testosterone, vasopressin, and cortisol levels drop, and oxytocin levels rise slightly. These hormones are involved in many activities. Testosterone is associated with being bold and competitive, vasopressin increases alertness, cortisol helps you cope with unexpected situations and is elevated when under stress, and oxytocin is better known as the stress hormone. increase. : Helps recognize social cues, such as the emotions of others. These hormonal changes in the father can be considered functional due to his gentle interaction with his child and his sensitive care. Play helps fathers communicate with their children Fathers and mothers have similar and different ways of communicating with their children. Mothers usually do most of the care, such as feeding and bathing. When it comes to games, fathers and mothers are akin to spending time with their children playing games or reading stories. This means that father-child interactions often take place in the context of play (Amodia-Bidakowska et al., 2020). This game is a great way for fathers to get to know their children, what they like, what they are afraid of and how they can overcome those fears with the help of their father. It is equally beneficial to fathers and children and stimulates attachment (Monteiro et al., 2010). How to support new fathers before and after childbirth Fatherhood has several facets. The transition to parenthood is accompanied by behavioral, hormonal, and brain changes. The intensity of these changes depends in part on sociocultural norms and paternal expectations. Fathers can feel disadvantaged. Prenatal and perinatal care is mother-centered and fathers can seem distant. While this is a great time for a health check-up to expand the focus of the ultrasound to include opportunities for father-son interaction, fathers are also encouraged to talk to their children at home and gently massage them with their hands. At, we can create our own bonding moments…on our partner’s skin. Acquaintance with each other can begin even before birth. Parental leave organizations encourage fathers to participate in early childhood care by increasing opportunities for fathers to connect with their children. Under these circumstances, changes in brain and hormone levels are likely to be greater than under conditions in which fathers have little opportunity to actively participate in parenting. Fathers can build relationships with their children from the start, which is just one of the reasons in favor of paid parental leave. In some families, fathers have limited opportunities for involvement because mothers are unwilling to trust their ability to care for them. If the mother wants to take care of the baby herself, this is called door watching. Helps fathers understand that they can provide the same excellent care that mothers do, and that caring for their children can promote the hormones and brain changes that support quality fatherhood. increase.