On-base training aimed at new dads

Published July 18, 2014
By Ryan Stark
Nucleus staff writer

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- How do I change diapers? How do I hold a baby? And what does a baby eat, anyway?

These are questions first-time, expectant Air Force fathers might have ahead of their baby's estimated landing date.

With that in mind, "Dads 101" classes will be held July 24, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., at Kirtland's education center. The class is meant to address those basic yet important subjects.

Chrisan Smith, Kirtland's family advocacy outreach program manager, says that the program covers a wide variety of subjects including changing diapers, bathing, installing a car seat and more.

"Many first-time dads do not have experience with infants, feel uncomfortable and lack confidence as a result," she said.

Smith added that much of the class discussion involves the emotional side of being a first-time father, such as expectations, fears, what roles they hope to play in the child's life and what being a father means to them.

The course has another purpose: avoiding shaken baby syndrome, a leading cause of deaths for babies in the United States according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Dads 101 curriculum is developed by the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, Smith said. Every Air Force Family Advocacy Program is required to offer it.

"Young, first-time fathers with little experience with infants are much more likely to shake a crying baby than other dads," she said.

There will be books about caring for young children, prizes and competitions.

Pre-registration is required and no walk-ins will be admitted. There are 10 openings for Airmen. Classes have been offered over the past year and tend to fill up quickly, Smith said.

For more information, call 846-0139 or email chrisan.smith@us.af.mil or view the flyer here.