ORLANDO, Fla. — Father’s Day is right around the corner, and June is also Men’s Health Month. To mark the occasion, the Florida Department of Health hosted Healthy Dudes & Diapers baby shower to help fathers prepare for parenthood.
“I have two kids. One boy, one girl… The second one I have (is) six months,” said Wadson Novembre.
Novembre was among more than 40 men, both already parents or expecting, who attended the Healthy Dudes & Diapers event. Part baby shower, part educational workshop, the event provided resources, advice and hands-on lessons for men preparing to welcome a new child into their lives.
“The program shows you something I don’t know before. That’s why I came here to learn about the program,” said Novembre.
Organizers say the event continues to grow each year. The goal is to educate fathers about their own health, their baby’s well-being, and the important role they play in their child’s development from day one.
“We want to bring awareness of infant mortality. We want to be able to encourage fathers or even their significant others to be part of that. The process in terms of the birthing process,” said Art Howell, program manager for Bellies, Babies and Beyond at the Florida Department of Health.
Howell, who is also a father himself, says one of the biggest takeaways is that dads do not have to navigate fatherhood alone. Building a strong support system of other fathers can make a huge difference, and events like this help create those connections.
“I want to encourage fathers to take charge of their health. We have, as men have to take charge of our health,” said Howell.