This month, we are excited to feature SMS4Dads and SMS4DeadlyDads, providing text-based support and tips for dads, dads-to-be and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads and dads-to-be.

Participants receive up to three SMSs per week, providing their baby’s expected or actual date of birth so that messages relate to the age and stage of the baby from 12 weeks into their partner’s pregnancy until the baby turns one. Some messages provide tips and encouragement, others are health related with developmental information related to looking after the baby. The messages also relate to taking care of their own health and supporting their partner.

SMS4Dads offers wellbeing check-ins, with some messages asking how a dad is coping and links to external professional support if needed. If a dad flags that he’s not doing well, a health professional from a relevant service gets in touch to check in and see if he would like some support.

SMS4Dads also offers messages for the loss of a pregnancy or baby, for dads with a baby in the NICU or if their partner is experiencing perinatal mental distress or anxiety.

Participants receive up to three SMSs per week, providing their baby’s expected or actual date of birth so that messages relate to the age and stage of the baby from 12 weeks into their partner’s pregnancy until the baby turns one. These messages provide culturally appropriate tips and encouragement about their influence and role, developmental information related to looking after the baby, and taking care of their own health and supporting their partner.

SMS4DeadlyDads offers wellbeing check-ins and links to external Aboriginal support services if needed.

SMS4Dads is designed specifically to support fathers in Australia who have a baby under 12 months,  are expecting a child, or are partners of new and expecting mothers. It also provides specific messages for dads who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and dads whose baby is premature, or their partner has a miscarriage or stillbirth.

SMS4Dads and SMS4DeadlyDads speaks directly to dads, supporting their role as fathers and providing specific materials and resources for them. It teaches dads to

• Bond with and care for their baby.
• Work as a team with the mother of their baby.
• Look after their own mental health.

Health practitioners and community workers can share SMS4Dads and SMS4DeadlyDads with dads, to provide them with additional support.

For health practitioners with questions about what the SMS messages are like, they can access an SMS4Dads sampler to get a clear sense of how it works and what it’s like to receive a few sample messages here.

There is no cost to sign up for SMS4Dads or SMS4DeadlyDads.

Dads can sign up for SMS4Dads or SMS4DedalyDads online at https://www.sms4dads.com/v4/w1. Participants must provide a few details including their phone number and their baby’s expected or actual date of birth.

SMS4Dads and SMS4DeadlyDads have been informed by research and actively contribute to national and international studies on the importance of supporting new fathers, their partners and babies. They have conducted a number of studies that have informed the development of the messages, which can be found here.

The SMS4dads team continues to carry out research to fine-tune their messages, with current research projects on:

• Fathers and miscarriage
• The role of fathers for new mothers
• What First Nations dads want to know as they become fathers
• Lived experience of losing a baby
• What can a father do when he notices that his partner is not coping with new motherhood
• Connecting with rural dads versus urban dads
• Measuring engagement in text-based parenting programs
• Supporting fathers of NICU of babies who arrive early