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SMS4dads

National and international fatherhood research has shown that dads miss out on important health services, messages and education. SMS4dads was developed by Assoc Prof Richard Fletcher and his team at The University of Newcastle to help bridge that gap for new and soon-to-be fathers.

Vision and mission

SMS4dads is strongly committed to lifting the support for men as they become fathers. We base our decisions and content on research.

They are targeting dads in the early stages of parenting (where their needs are often not recognized) so that children and families will have better life outcomes.

How SMS4dads can help

SMS4dads allows new dads to join up and receive text messages and support straight to their phones from 12 weeks into a pregnancy and throughout the first year of parenthood.

The service is free and available nationally.

In 2021, with federal funding, the service expanded to support fathers:

  • from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds
  • whose partners experienced mental health distress
  • whose partners experienced stillbirth or miscarriage
  • whose babies were in Neonatal Intensive Care.

Information lines / help lines

Recommended links

Last reviewed: June 2023

Information from this partner

Found 11 results

Early Arrivals – Supporting Fathers of Premature Babies - SMS4dads

Did you know that nearly 10% of babies are born early (less than 37 weeks)? Dads of these babies can have some extra challenges, especially if baby is in a

Read more on SMS4dads website

When things get tough - SMS4dads

A fantastic resource for new dads. SMS4dads provides useful information on how to connect with their children throughout their lives. Join SMS4dads! It's completely free!

Read more on SMS4dads website

Deadly Dads - SMS4dads

For Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dads

Read more on SMS4dads website

SMS4DeadlyDads Videos - SMS4dads

SMS4dads has an Aboriginal Advisory Group who have helped develop the deadly message sets. We also asked Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dads for their

Read more on SMS4dads website

Getting help - SMS4dads

SMS4dads provides dad support and information via their mobile phones. We don’t provide clinical services for people in crises. #BalancedParenting #SmsSupport

Read more on SMS4dads website

Info & Tips for New Dads - SMS4dads

Join SMS4dads and get advice, information especially for new dads, expectant fathers, families, and health care professionals. SMS4dads is FREE!

Read more on SMS4dads website

Being an Aboriginal Dad - SMS4dads

What do young Aboriginal fathers say about responsibility, support and being an Aboriginal dad?  We interviewed young Aboriginal fathers who had been involved

Read more on SMS4dads website

Dads & Kangaroo Care in NICU - SMS4dads

The benefits of mother-infant kangaroo care are globally recognised but there is little data on whether fathers and their infants achieve the same outcomes with this method.

Read more on SMS4dads website

NICU Dads Messages - SMS4dads

A fantastic resource for new dads. SMS4dads provides useful information on how to connect with their children throughout their lives. Join SMS4dads! It's completely free!

Read more on SMS4dads website

For Dads - SMS4dads

SMS4dads supports men's relationship with their children and increase awareness of their impact on baby's brain development. #DadsRule #FatherLife #SuperDaddy

Read more on SMS4dads website

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