workshop for dad included formula mixing

[Janice in Canada]

Icequeen, want to take this on???


http://www.adn.com/life/story/5713579p-5646692c.html

Dr. Dad nudges fathers back to child-rearing
INITIATIVE: Workshop was aimed at keeping men close to the family.

"Hands-on experience, according to Duvall, is the quickest and easiest way to learn. Members of the class busied themselves sucking up apricot preserves with bulb syringes, figuring out cold-medicine dosages, taking one another's temperature and mixing infant formula."

""It's hard for men to read directions," Duvall said. "They just don't want to."

So when it comes to mixing formula or measuring out medicine, workshop leaders need to stress the importance of accurate doses.

"Some men see that the baby is hungry, so they mix thicker formula," Duvall said with a laugh. "That doesn't cut it."


(I know that if there is formula feeding involved, dads should know how to mix it properly, I just wish that there was some mention of how good dads can support mom to breastfeed. Supporting breastfeeding is a BIG part of being a good dad, and can still promote dad being involved)

Janice

[bravofrenchie]

??? Why not, in addition to mixing formula, teach Dads how to properly prepare bottles of EBM? That would make more sense.

[Janice in Canada]

Just wanted to mention, there is policy support for why this is a bad idea (not just my personal opinion).

As part of BFI, health professionals are not supposed to give groups lessons on making formula or bottlefeeding.

If a family chooses to bottle/formula feed, they are to receive one-on-one instruction on how to do this properly. Formula preparation is not to be included in routine prenatal classes or baby care guides, that everyone would receive.

Janice

[girlndocs]

These "daddy classes" are so stupid anyway, IMO. How patronizing to assume that men need more nursery-school special instructions on basic childcare than women do.

[hunnybumm]

Originally Posted by girlndocs

These "daddy classes" are so stupid anyway, IMO. How patronizing to assume that men need more nursery-school special instructions on basic childcare than women do.

Actually, my DH would have benefited immensly from a daddy class. Before DS came along he knew nothing about babies, how to dress, change a diaper, feed, hold, etc. The formula part is pretty lame but the other parts sounded good. DH has never taken medicine at all, he had no idea how much to give or how to give it.

And the article does state:

"I disagree with this whole instinctual mothering thing," he said, "because most women don't know what to do either."

I don't agree with how he is discrediting a mothers instincts but he is placing mother and father at the same level.

[Tiacsophno]

My Dh took a "Boot Camp For New Dads" class and was pleasantly surprised. I think mostly he appreciated the comraderie among men who have a common interest talking about newborns.

From what I can tell, his favorite tidbit was that he learned about some kind of stroller gadget the experienced dads were raving about. Aren't men supposed to be attracted to mechanical gadgets?

Similarly, mixing, measuring and other quantitative procedures are attractive to the stereotypical 'male' persona. Even the name "formula" makes it seem like a science experiment. And, as we all know, scientists are men.

[sntm]

Originally Posted by Tiacsophno

And, as we all know, scientists are men.

??? Assuming a tongue-in-cheek here.

Says the physician-cum-clinical research scientist.

[soccerchic21]

Do they get taught how to bottle prop in this class too?

As far as dads needing a class my DH knew more about taking care of an infant than I did. I felt so helpless and lucky at the same time.

[Ravin]

What soccer chick said.

My DH had helped w/ his younger brother and sister who were born when he was 14; He had a series of pregnant/ dealing w/ babies girlfriends in his late teens/early twenties, on of them w/ twins; and he had his DD1 w/ his first wife. So he had WAAAY more experience w/ babies than I did.

He still doesn't actually DO that much, though. :

[Tiacsophno]

Originally Posted by sntm

??? Assuming a tongue-in-cheek here.

Says the physician-cum-clinical research scientist.

Oh, yes! Sorry, I should have used the sarcastic icon! I'm a scientist, too.

[Too Busy]

Originally Posted by Janice in Canada

Supporting breastfeeding is a BIG part of being a good dad, and can still promote dad being involved)

This is SO TRUE. I seriously would not be breastfeeding anymore if it weren't for my DH. He fought the nurses at the hospital for help when my DD wouldn't latch and they wouldn't listen. He tracked down LLL leaders and LCs when she still wouldn't latch. He held me while I cried and pumped every two hours, my dreams of nursing crushed. He threw out the samples of ABM. He finger fed my DD when I was too exhausted. He learned how to help me position my DD and teach her to latch on. He encouraged me to persist when I thought I couldn't go anymore.

Dads are an integral part not only for helping moms learn to nurse, but to ensure that a mom feel supported and comfortable. By taking over household chores like cooking and laundry in the early weeks, to allow mom as much time as she needs to figure out breastfeeding and sleep when the baby does to get more rest.

I could go on and on...

[cinnamonamon]

My dh took the "Dad's boot camp" class as well, & really enjoyed it. They taught how to change diapers, hold, burp, feed, etc... When ds was 6 weeks old he took him back & was on the "teaching" side -- he took a bottle of expressed breast milk.

Considering that my dh only had 1 brother (2 years younger) and 2 cousins within the same age range, he was never exposed to infants/young children and needed all the help he could get! :LOL (Of course he still put the first dipe he ever changed on backwards! :LOL)

FWIW, he came to the breastfeeding class too -- the LC spent 1/2 the class talking about & having the SO's practice ways to help nursing moms -- massages, arranging pillows, bringing drinks, etc., etc.

[brookerenee]

How about teaching men how to put together the many pieces of a breast pump?

[greenluv]

Actually, my dh did put the breast pump together for me. He was so awesome! He would have everything set up and ready to go. He labled the bottles, made sure the frozen milk was packed and that the pump was ready to go so I could get a few more minutes of sleep. He did all of this while our son was in NICU. When we got home, he read the books so we could figure out how to get our baby to latch properly after having had a feeding tube. He sat up many nights reading here at MDC and other sites.

He is especially proud that 15 months later, his baby is still nursing even though we had a rough start.

I just wanted to chime in so you can all see that not all dads are clueless

ETA: I do think educating inexperienced dads in bf support would go a long way to helping moms and babies succeed.