If you are the father of a baby in special care, you may be finding this a particularly tough time. Mother and baby tend to get a lot of attention and concern, and perhaps no-one has asked you how you are.

"I muddled through, struggling along - trying to prop us up, going to work, paying the bills and trying to keep life as normal as possible."

Father of D, born at 32 weeks and M, born at 30 weeks. 

For more information, download our Fathers factsheets here

For further information, download our booklet Facts for fathers

We understand that this can be a very difficult time. If you would like to talk to someone, perhaps another dad who has been through the experience and understands how you might be feeling, Bliss provides a parent-to-parent support network as a free service, for just this purpose.

Bliss has also developed a special forum on our messageboard that allows other fathers to keep in touch, support each other and offer their experiences and advice. This dad's forum is password protected so just register online and email admin@bliss.org.uk with your username so we can add you to the fathers member's list.

Further advice, support and publications can be requested by phoning our Family Support Helpline on freephone 0500 618140. The line is open from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email us at enquiries@bliss.org.uk