Fathers asked ’How do you feel about having a baby ’

For the first time, researchers from Oxford University will work with NCT, the UK's largest charity for parents, to conduct an academic study into how fathers feel about the new baby, both before and after the birth. The study, funded by the British Academy, will focus in particular on the bonding process between new fathers and their babies. As from this month, researchers are looking to recruit first-time fathers living or working in Oxfordshire, who are interested in taking part in the study and happy to share their experiences. Through online questionnaires, the research team hopes to find out first-hand how new father feel about their relationship with the baby at key points over an eight-month period. Fathers will be asked about their expectation of fatherhood before the baby is born when the pregnancy is in its seventh or eighth month; and then later, about their actual experiences once the baby is two weeks, three months and six months old. The researchers also want to see whether certain hormones in the body appear to promote or inhibit paternal feelings. Fathers will be asked to provide four blood samples in home visits.