Any father or father figure in the family, would always choose to protect his family first, especially his children. He would want to make sure that his children are safe by providing them comfort and protection from harm. Above all these, a father plays a huge role in his children’s lives, especially in health.
Aside from the care a mother gives, a father also shares the task by supporting their baby’s needs and by taking part in these health activities:
During Pregnancy
Study shows that most women with supportive partners have fewer health problems in pregnancy. The support that a father gives can be associated with positive maternal and child outcomes.
A father’s involvement during pregnancy helps in ensuring that a mother will receive her 1st-trimester prenatal care. It also helps to improve the quality of the parents’ relationship to nurture and respond to their child’s needs.
Baby’s health care program
Being present during doctor’s appointments for vaccinations and check-ups is one way a father can play an active role in his baby’s health care. Early encounters with his baby’s pediatricians may start from prenatal consultations to visitation in the newborn nursery.
Taking the time to understand what every child needs during his or her first 1000 days of life is a way of being proactive as a father. Keeping track of immunization records helps the father to be actively involved in a child’s health.
Walk the talk
Most children see their fathers as role models. The stronger your relationship with your child, the more influence you’ll have, which could even last a lifetime. Children look to their fathers for strength, encouragement, and support. Both sons and daughters mimic their dads from a very young age. Moreover, fathers usually set the family culture and norms.
That’s why whatever a father believes in can influence the upbringing of a child. Let your kids know you also got vaccinated as recommended by your doctor. As a dad, you can be a good example in the family to support immunization. With the ongoing battle against COVID-19, we can support the current effort for herd immunity by encouraging our whole family to #CallTheShots.
Call the Shots PH is an awareness campaign to protect expectant parents and their children from vaccine-preventable diseases and is brought by MSD in the Philippines. Visit Call The Shots PH FB page (https://www.facebook.com/CallTheShotsPH) to get latest updates on immunization.
