Helping new dads with innovative app
New dads in Oxfordshire can now benefit from a resource designed to support them on their journey through parenthood.
DadPad, an app developed in collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council’s public health team and Inspire Cornwall CIC, offers practical parenting tips, key insights into child development, and more.
It is now available for all expectant and new fathers across the county.
Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Inequality, said: “Parenthood, although exciting, can be a very daunting time too, and most of us will face plenty of anxiety along the way. We know too that new dads have traditionally been an under engaged group by maternity and perinatal services.
“Of course, every parent’s journey is different, but we hope that this new app will provide dads with an easy to use resource that they can access at home when they need it.
“Crucially, the app also provides dads with guidance on how to support and seek help, when needed, for their partners and themselves as they adjust to their new roles and cope with the physical and emotional strains that this can place on individuals and relationships.
“We hope that the app will enable more dads, and their partners, to feel more confident going into parenthood.”
The app covers a range of topics including feeding, holding, changing, cleaning, crying, bonding, home safety, and self care.
Julian Bose, Director of Inspire Cornwall CIC, said: “The DadPad was created because babies don’t come with a set of instructions, and dads told us that there was important information that they wanted to be given on what to expect and how to care for their baby. We listened to what dads, their partners and health professionals asked for and combined it all in the DadPad.
“With technology playing such a big part in everyone’s lives today, developing an app to complement the existing DadPad seemed the obvious next step. This has opened a world of possibilities in delivering new content and features and, crucially, getting updates and news out to the dads quickly and easily.
“We are pleased to have been given the chance to get this new DadPad app for Oxfordshire launched, with the help and support of the Public Health team at Oxfordshire County Council and to provide even more support for new dads and dads-to-be in the county.”
To find out more and to download the app, visit: thedadpad.co.uk/app.
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