News Archive

2011

2010

2008

2007

2006

Dads Can Get Baby Blues Too

Newcastle Herald

Monday October 16, 2006

By ALICE KELLY Health Reporter

NEW dads are just as likely to suffer postnatal depression as their partners, but are less likely to get the help they need, Hunter researchers say.

Depression in new and expecting dads can have long-term effects on their children's health, University of Newcastle's Richard Fletcher, Newcastle GP Chris Marley and Sydney's Stephen Matthey say in today's Medical Journal of Australia.

New fathers will need to muscle in or be left out of the picture when it comes to caring for their newborn baby.

That is the view of Novocastrian father, pediatric nurse and midwife Chris May, who teaches dads-to-be about birth and parenting in men-only antenatal classes run through the John Hunter Hospital.

"[Fathers] run the risk of going away and saying, 'well I am really not welcome here'," Mr May said.

Reports, Page 4

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

Back to News Index | Back to Home