Becoming a dad can feel like stepping into a whole new world overnight. One minute you’re preparing for a baby, the next you’re holding a tiny human who depends on you for everything. It’s exciting, overwhelming, joyful - and at times, quietly challenging. That’s exactly why this talk at The Baby Show matters.

Delivered by Kieran Anders, Dad Matters Lead at Home-Start UK, Dad Matters, especially during the 1001 critical days shines a light on an experience that often goes unspoken: what it really feels like to become a father.

The first 1,001 days - from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday - are a period of extraordinary growth. Babies’ brains develop at a rapid pace, and the foundations for lifelong emotional wellbeing are laid. But this isn’t just a critical time for babies. It’s a defining period for dads too.

Many fathers find themselves navigating huge changes - new responsibilities, shifting identities, pressures to provide and support - often without a clear roadmap or space to talk about it. While support systems tend to focus (rightly) on mums and babies, dads can sometimes feel like they’re expected to just “get on with it.”

This talk creates space to acknowledge that reality.

Drawing on the experiences of tens of thousands of fathers supported through Dad Matters - powered by Home-Start - and the wider work of the 1001 Critical Days movement, Kieran will explore both the challenges and the opportunities of early fatherhood. It’s not about getting everything right. It’s about understanding that the small, everyday moments - holding your baby, responding to their cries, sharing time together - are what build strong, lasting connections.

You don’t need to be perfect to be important. You just need to be there.

The session will also touch on something that’s often overlooked: dads’ wellbeing. Looking after yourself isn’t a luxury - it’s essential. When dads feel supported, confident, and connected, it has a direct and positive impact on their children and their families. Strong dads help build strong families.

Whether you’re expecting your first child, already in the thick of parenting, or supporting someone who is, this talk offers something valuable: reassurance, insight, and a reminder that you’re not alone in this journey.

At its heart, this is a conversation about recognising the role dads play - not as an afterthought, but as a vital part of a child’s early life. Because to every baby, their dad matters.

Join us at The Baby Show to be part of that conversation.