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Men and Babies Mini-Manual

In 2008, The Men's Project within Parents Advice Centre received funding from the Parenting Education and Support element of The Children and Young People's Funding Package (DHSSPS) to produce a ground-breaking mini-manual for all fathers in Northern Ireland who are expecting a baby or have just had a baby. This booklet - "Men and Babies" - seeks to help fathers to fully understand what is happening during the pregnancy period and immediately after the birth, and to recognise the important role that they play in their children's lives. It provides step-by-step instructions and advice on all the practical things a father-to-be or new father needs to know - including where to access sources of help.

The "Men and Babies" mini-manual is a shortened version of the highly acclaimed "Haynes Baby Manual", written by local man Dr Ian Banks. Ian has, over the past decade, pioneered a range of male-friendly publications. These use the distinctive format of Haynes Car Repair Manuals - which are very familiar to men - to engage them in addressing key health and family issues. The "Baby Manual" is one title in this series.

25,000 copies of the 'Men and Babies' booklets were made available, free of charge, through most Hospital Maternity Units, Parents Advice Centre branch offices, Sure Starts, Home-Starts, Lifestart Foundation, local pharmacies, and from other family support projects. Progressive family-friendly workplaces, including Bombardier Aerospace and Singularity Business Process Management Software, also made copies available to their employees. Please visit www.mensproject.org/resources/menandbabies.html to download a free copy of this publication.

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