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Fathers' lived experiences of getting to know their baby while acting as primary caregivers immediately following

Kerstin Erlandsson1, Kyllike Christensson, Ingegerd Fagerberg

  • 1KERSTIN ERLANDSSON is a lecturer in the School of Health, Care, and Social Welfare at Mälardalen University, Eskilstuna/Västerås, Sweden.

The Journal of Perinatal Education
|March 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Fathers experience a profound shift toward togetherness with their newborns when acting as primary caregivers. This journey involves gradual changes as they bond with and care for their infant during the crucial early hours after birth.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal Psychology
  • Fatherhood Studies
  • Infant Caregiving

Background:

  • The initial hours after birth are critical for parent-infant bonding.
  • Maternal postoperative care can temporarily separate mothers from newborns.
  • Fathers may assume primary caregiving roles in these circumstances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the lived experiences of fathers as primary infant caregivers.
  • To understand the father's transition during the early postpartum period when separated from the mother.

Main Methods:

  • Qualitative study involving interviews with fifteen fathers.
  • Interviews conducted between 8 days and 6 weeks postpartum.
  • Focus on fathers acting as primary caregivers due to maternal postoperative care.

Main Results:

  • Fathers described a movement towards father-child togetherness.
  • This involved immediate and gradual personal changes in the father.
  • Fathers increasingly undertook responsibility and bonded with their child.

Conclusions:

  • Fathers' experiences highlight a significant role in infant care.
  • Findings can inform antenatal classes to support fathers.
  • Emphasizes integrating fathers, especially when the mother-infant dyad is interrupted.

Keywords:
antenatal carecesarean birthchildbirth educationfatherseparation

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