Effects of a Baby Carrier Intervention on Fathers’ Sensitivity, Involvement, and Hormonal Levels: Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Study

TL;DR

A study found no long-term benefits of using a baby carrier on fathers' caregiving skills or hormones, but using a baby seat increased time spent with infants.

Contribution

This study provides new insights into the long-term effects of baby carriers and seats on fathers' involvement and hormonal levels.

Findings

No significant intervention effects of baby carrier use on fathers' sensitivity, involvement, or hormone levels at follow-up.

Fathers using baby seats reported increased time spent with infants.

Fathers' sensitivity and oxytocin levels decreased over time, while cortisol levels increased.

Abstract

Objective. Fathers are of great importance for healthy child development. This randomized controlled study investigated the longer-term effects of an intervention using a soft baby carrier on fathers’ observed sensitive caregiving, involvement, and oxytocin and cortisol levels. Design. First-time fathers were randomly assigned to use a baby carrier (n = 41) or baby seat (n = 39) and were asked to use the carrier or seat for at least 6 h per week for 3 weeks. Pretest (Mchild age = 2.67 months), posttest (Mchild age = 3.99 months), and follow-up (Mchild age = 8.25 months) father data were collected. Results. No intervention effects of baby carrier use on fathers’ sensitivity, involvement, and oxytocin or cortisol levels at follow-up emerged. Unexpectedly, fathers in the baby seat condition reported an increase in the amount of time spent with the infant. Fathers’ sensitivity and oxytocin levels decreased over time, while cortisol levels increased over time, irrespective of condition. Conclusions. This study showed less optimal hormonal levels in fathers over time, suggesting that support during the first months of fatherhood is needed. Furthermore, use of a baby seat may have contributed to fathers enjoying their time with their infant and consequently their involvement in child caregiving.

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