3 Reasons Dads Need Parental Leave

When you hear the term “parental leave”, we typically think about mothers spending time with their newborn child. We have images of baby giggles, diaper changes, rocking chairs, and feeding time. However, we must remember that dads are vital to the equation.

There are three reasons why fathers need parental leave programs after the birth or adoption of a child.  

The first reason is dads need time to bond and form relationships with their newborn.  Moms have had the benefit of bonding with the baby over a nine-month period.  Bonding helps set the stage for how newborns will form relationships with others later in life.  It also provides a sense of security and safety.  While bonding typically comes easier for moms, the importance of dads bonding with their children is equally important.  Here are some great bonding activities for  dad: changing diapers, making eye contact while feeding, reading, bath time, cuddling, skin-to-skin contact, and creating a playlist of your favorite songs for dad and baby to listen to each day.  

Another reason it is important for dads to experience parental leave is to provide the family with extra time to secure childcare.  Many times, a baby may not be able to attend childcare at six weeks of age due to waiting lists.  Sometimes the child may need additional shots or the family may want the baby to be a bit older before transitioning to childcare. A new baby has several appointments and check-ups that Dad can use his leave for when Mom returns to work.  Additionally, it gives the family more time to transition to life after baby and helps alleviate stress.  When dads can take advantage of parental leave, it can extend the time the baby is able to stay at home.

And, lastly, the caregiver who gave birth to the child needs to recover physically and mentally from childbirth.  Having an extra set of hands around is valuable to  mom.  Depending on the type of delivery, the mom’s activity level may be more restrictive.  For example, after a c-section mom cannot lift anything heavier than the baby.  So, an additional set of hands to do chores, prepare meals, run errands, and other responsibilities may be helpful.  Childbirth can also bring on a myriad of feelings and emotions for both mom and dad.  Having extra help can relieve mom of some of the day-to-day pressures so she can focus on healing emotionally and physically and Dad can focus on the changes he’s also undergoing mentally after the birth of a child.  After all, dads can experience postpartum depression, too.  

Does your company offer a parental leave program for dads?  Schedule a navigation call to learn more about some of the innovative programs available to support working dads.