The Men's Project:
Resources - "Men and Babies"

In March 2008, The Men's Project within Parents Advice Centre received funding from the Parenting Education and Support element of The Children and Young People's Funding Package (DHSSPS) to produce a ground-breaking mini-manual for all fathers in Northern Ireland who are expecting a baby or have just had a baby.

This booklet - "Men and Babies" - seeks to help fathers to fully understand what is happening during the pregnancy period and immediately after the birth, and to recognise the important role that they play in their children's lives. It provides step-by-step instructions and advice on all the practical things a father-to-be or new father needs to know - including where to access sources of help.

The "Men and Babies" mini-manual is a shortened version of the highly acclaimed "Haynes Baby Manual", written by local man Dr Ian Banks. Ian has, over the past decade, pioneered a range of male-friendly publications. These use the distinctive format of Haynes Car Repair Manuals - which are very familiar to men - to engage them in addressing key health and family issues. The "Baby Manual" is one title in this series.

We have printed 25,000 'Men and Babies' booklets and these are available, free of charge, through most Hospital Maternity Units, Parents Advice Centre branch offices, Sure Starts, Home-Starts, Lifestart Foundation, local pharmacies, and from other family support projects. Progressive family-friendly workplaces, including Bombardier Aerospace and Singularity Business Process Management Software, are also making copies available to their employees.

Welcoming this initiative, Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, stated: "When it comes to pregnancy and childbirth, men can sometimes feel that they are the forgotten partner. That is why this booklet, 'Men and Babies', is very timely; giving helpful advice in relation to not only childbirth but also to child development. The Men's Project is to be congratulated on this excellent initiative".

You can download a Portable Document Format (PDF) version of this manual by clicking on the links below ...

Men and Babies Manual: Cover (PDF - 900KB)

Men and Babies Manual: Text (PDF - 1.1MB)

For more information, contact Colin Fowler or Trisha McQueen at Belfast: 02890 310891.