The DadPad was created because babies don’t come with a set of instructions, and dads told us they wanted important information on what to expect and how to care for their baby. We listened to what dads, their partners and professionals asked for and combined it all in this new DadPad for dads-to-be.
DadPad has now been commissioned by the NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland which means it is free of charge to download from your app provider.
Once you have downloaded the app, you can find useful information and support materials for you as a dad-to-be or a new dad.
Topics such as:
- An overview of the Health Visitor Team and the appointments that parents will have;
- ‘Baby basics’, including feeding, sleeping, holding, coping with crying, cleaning and bathing baby and changing nappies;
- Ways in which dad can help to build his bond with his baby, including baby massage, communicating, baby swimming, and play and learning;
- Core information on perinatal mental health for dad – what to look out for in his partner, and what to look out for in himself, as well as advice on supporting each other and their relationship; and
- An overview of other key topics, including child development, legal information and important further sources of parenting advice and support.
We are not an advisory service, and do not work personally with individuals, but believe in getting the best information out to new dads and partners at the earliest possible opportunity in their parenting journey.
Our DadPad mobile app is available to download for free in over 45 areas in the UK. Areas where DadPad have been commissioned also have some physical copies of the DadPad, Quick Read DadPad and Co-ParentPad (for LGBTQI+ co-parents) to distribute for free.