Clinical Research Directory

Effects of a Nurse-Led Transition to Fatherhood Program on Fathers' Involvement in Infant Care, Gender Perception, and Father-Infant Bonding

Fatherhood transition programs led by nurses can positively influence fathers' involvement in infant care, gender roles, and father-infant bonding. These programs encourage fathers to take a more active role in both the prenatal and postnatal periods, enhancing their knowledge and skills related to infant care. Through these programs, fathers gain more information and practical abilities in caring for their babies. The trainings provided by nurses cover essential care topics such as infant and maternal nutrition, sleep routines, diapering, burping, hygiene, and safety. This knowledge enables fathers to participate in infant care more effectively and safely. Traditional gender roles often assume that infant care is primarily the mother's responsibility. However, nurse-led programs emphasize that fathers can and should take an active role in this process. This helps break down stereotypes related to gender roles and strengthens the father's role in childcare. Active participation in infant care from an early stage contributes to the development of a strong emotional bond between father and baby. Quality time spent together, physical contact, and shared activities reinforce this bond. Research shows that a strong father-infant bond has positive effects on a child's emotional and social development. In conclusion, nurse-led fatherhood transition programs significantly contribute to reshaping traditional gender roles and strengthening the emotional bond between fathers and their babies by increasing paternal involvement in infant care. Expanding such programs can lead to long-term positive outcomes for both fathers and children.