DADS 101

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaylee Clark
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark. --  The military throws many curveballs such as deployments, TDY's, and additional training adding a newborn baby to the mix isn't always an easy transition, especially for first time fathers.

Team Little Rock's Family Advocacy program offers the DAD's 101 class quarterly to help expectant and brand new fathers with this life changing transition by teaching the basics of raising a newborn. Anyone who is expecting a child or who has just had a child can attend. The class is limited to 12 dads per quarter.

The DAD's 101 training promotes honest dialog between expectant fathers in an environment that gives them a chance to discuss their fears and the challenges of fatherhood with each other. The program's goal is to help them become more comfortable in their new role as fathers.

Lisa Dicus, the 19th Medical Operations Squadron family advocacy outreach manager, said, "We've had as many as 8 dads in the class and sometimes only two or three, but we always have a great time and the dads actually like having the chance to see that they are not alone in what they are experiencing."

The expectant fathers learn the basics:

· Issues related to pregnancy;

· How to diaper, dress and swaddle a baby;

· How to bathe and feed a baby;

· How to plan and prepare for a deployment, as well as communication skills and attachment to the baby; and

· How to cope with a crying baby and the effects of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

The men also get a chance to put on the "empathy belly", giving them a glimpse of what it is like to actually be pregnant.

The military version of DAD's is specifically designed for military use, as it includes discussions about topics such as deployments, which are geared toward service members and their unique family circumstances. The National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome started the DAD's Basics class and the curriculum based on research showing that 79 percent of the perpetrators of Shaken Baby Syndrome were usually men and most were the victim's biological father.

The next DAD's 101 class is Dec. 9, 2013, from 9 a.m - 2 p.m.