Inland offers a unique community benefit

Being a Dad for the first time can be scary….but thanks to a special program introduced in Waterville by Inland Hospital, men can face fatherhood with confidence, skill, and compassion.

The free program called, Boot Camp for New Dads, may sound like an intimidating way to train for fatherhood, but the workshop is far from the strict style of military boot camps. The three-hour class is a casual, fun, no-pressure experience that includes hands-on baby lessons under the guidance of experienced Dads. Boot Camp covers not only baby care and how to handle the challenges of fatherhood, but also offers important advice about the needs of new mothers.

Boot Camp graduate George Cutten, a first-time Dad from Skowhegan says the workshop was invaluable. “You go through a lot of emotions - I needed to know I wasn’t alone and that others shared my fears and concerns.” Cutten called Boot Camp a wonderful experience and would recommend it to others. “Every father-to-be should have this kind of information and be able to connect with other Dads about our challenges.”

Boot Camp facilitator Marc Pitman is a father of three and enjoys every minute of helping new Dads. “I had the same questions - ‘Will I be a good father?’; ‘What can I do to be a great Dad?’; ‘How do I handle the baby when she won’t stop crying?’; ‘How can I support my partner’s emotional needs?” Pitman explains that “While the Boot Camp program offers validated techniques and information, the real value is that it allows new Dads to hear what ‘vet’ Dads are actually doing. The experience is a great way to gain confidence in one of the toughest jobs men will ever love.”

Boot Camp for New Dad is free to participants and is sponsored by The Birthing Center at Inland Hospital and Silvermount Women’s Health Care. The next workshop is scheduled for October 25 at Inland. To pre-register or for more information, call 861-3392 or visit www.inlandhospital.org.