Wonderful again this morning to have the opportunity to speak out about Dad’s and Post Natal Depression thanks to Today.

As I’ve previously blogged, it seems we have understated the effect of birth on fathers. Click here for the recent blog on new fathers and fussy babies.

So far just about all of us have heard of maternal postnatal depression (PND). However, we have little awareness and recognition of paternal stress and depression. My survey results highlighted the anguish and pain for fathers (as well as the delight, joy and love).

• The incidence of maternal PND is around 14%    Men may suffer from psychological distress after childbirth and birth-related PND is not a rare condition. Research findings here.
• The incidence of paternal PND is around 8%   
• We also know that in families in which mum has PND; fathers have about a 1/3rd likelihood of being depressed as well. Not a good combination!  
• PND can be serious. Even life threatening.   
• Dads generally don’t understand maternal PND (nor do mothers if it remains undiagnosed). As a result it can be difficult for dads to be appropriately supportive. Even the best fathers/husbands can become critical and judgmental of their depressed partners
• Dads like fixing things. They don’t get that PND can’t be fixed immediately. Dads feel powerless and helpless
• Crying, colicky, irritable babies feed in to this  cycle, causing frustration, loss of self confidence, and sleep deprivation   
• Dads don’t know how to deal with the unsettled, crying baby. If the baby is breast fed, what can the dad do to help?  

There are a number of tools out there and solutions are available:

• for us all to be aware of the problem. Research supports including fathers in strategies related to infant settling. An intervention/prevention approach to infant behaviour problems should include fathers
• the Australian Government has shown awareness of maternal PND with a $55 million 5 year program, including routine and universal screening.
• Information and awareness – October is Beyond Blue’s Anxiety and Depression Awareness Month
• better family and community supports with higher recognition of the issue of PND  
• less stigma associated with negative  parental-baby experience/depression  
• even better training of, and awareness by  Obstetricians, Midwives, Paediatricians, GP’s, Child Health Nurses   
• strategies and tools (dads love tools!) to settle a crying baby.   Research supports including fathers in strategies related to infant settling. A simple tool, Sounds for Silence can help mothers and fathers settle their baby. Demonstrated here and here.
• good non-judgmental individual or group counseling   
• medication

Dads’ distress and powerlessness has always concerned me. I’m pleased to  continue to highlight PND and fathers. The task of making life easier for parents should never be abandoned!