Boot Camp for New Dads

Isiseko Imara partners with an American non-profit organisation called Boot Camp for New Dads® (aka Daddy Boot Camp®), which is a unique father-to-father, community-based workshop that inspires and equips men of different economic levels, ages and cultures to become confidently engaged with their infants, support their partners and personally navigate their transformation into dads. Boot Camp is validated by research and has been named a best practice by many organisations that consider it an exceptional means of supporting dads-to-be and fostering behaviours that greatly benefit children and help prevent a wide range of social ills.

Boot Camp prepares men to be dads in all respects, beginning with holding and comforting a real baby. Veteran dads demonstrate burping, changing, swaddling, troubleshooting a crying baby and deal with a broad range of issues including bonding, work hours, forming a parenting team, safety, preventing child abuse, dealing with family, etc. The strongest emphasis is placed on the tremendous support new moms need from dads.

Hospitals and health plans encourage the programme because well-prepared dads strengthen the support system for new babies and moms at home. A capable dad who knows when and how to access the family’s health care system is very beneficial. Dads-to-be are also taught about the benefits of breastfeeding, and the symptoms and differences between baby blues and post-partum depression.

Isiseko Imara partners with local clinics and hospitals to identify dads-to-be.  These ‘rookie’ dads then attend boot camp 1-2 months before their first baby arrives.  Veteran dads (who had previously attended Boot Camp) bring their 2- to 9-month-old babies to the workshop.  Rookies ask questions and express concerns. Veterans answer those questions and share their experiences. Coaches educate about parenting topics and facilitate discussion. Rookies get hands-on time holding, changing or feeding babies.