Good morning Bill,

Very sorry, I have been busy with work and life in general. I just wanted to say thanks for the class last Tuesday. It really helped me understand a lot more than I thought I did. It's funny how it's the little things that help the most.

Once again, Just wanted to say thanks for helping the fathers out there become better dads.

Thanks,
Luciano

 

The following is an excerpt from Bill’s book SONS to DADS:  A HANDS-ON TRANSITION GUIDE FOR DADS.

SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME (SBS)

About half of the USA’s population still does not realize that an infant may be severely injured for life or killed by being shaken. It is called Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is caused by sudden head movement similar to whiplash in adults. Imagine how easily adults are injured because of sudden backward and forward motion when they are rear-ended in a car collision. Now picture what it would be like to go through the same motion not just once, but several times and how easy it would be to injure a child. 

As the head is in the backward motion, the brain lags. Once the head has completed its travel back, it changes directions suddenly and begins the forward movement. The brain slams against the back of the skull before it begins its forward travel; and then the head completes its forward travel when the brain slams against the front of the skull. 

Just a couple of such movements can cause irreversible brain damage. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 300 children, an estimated 25% of shaken babies, die.

TOOL TIP: If you ever feel you are about to lose it with your baby, STOP!

• Lay the baby down or give him to mom. 
• Go for a drive with the baby in the car seat.
• Reduce the stimuli.
• Take a couple of deep cleansing breaths (like birthing class)
• Talk, sing, and dance with your baby.
• If you are alone, put your baby in the crib, even if he is still crying. 
• Go outside, count to one hundred, and scream at the moon. 
• If you suspect your baby is sick (i.e. pulling on his ear, has a fever, etc.) do not hesitate to call your healthcare provider. 

Do WHATEVER you need to do to get away from the thought of shaking your baby.  

Approximately 80% of all SBS babies each year are done by men; 50% by their natural parent and 23% are abused by a boyfriend or stepparent.  Do not take a chance of shaking your baby!

Also, if you need a break from a crying baby, do not forget your friends and family who want to help. They will more than likely be glad to come over and care for the baby while you take a break. I have some friends when they were new grandparents, when their son called at 2 A.M., wild horses could not have kept them from going over to take care of their new grandson. (We do strange things like that in the middle of the night for the grandkids’ sake.) 

Bill,

Thanks again for the great insight you provided with the "Sons to Dads"Program! My wife and I are so excited about this blessing and after your class, feel much more prepared about welcoming our Baby Boy into this world!

Personally, I believe this program should be a requirement for ALL soon to be Dads!

Keep up the great work and I'll keep you posted as we approach the BIGDAY...November 30th!

Talk soon,
Dennis (soon to be proud Dad of Dylan Joseph)

Bill,
I have been reading your book Sons to Dad and I cannot put it down. I keep rereading everything thing and I love it. VERY helpful pointers in it. I was speaking to one of the ladies that I work with about it because she had picked it up and sort of skimmed through it and she would like to get a copy for her son in law. They have just found out that they will be blessed with a little bundle of joy themselves. Let me know how she may get a copy as well from you. Thank you for everything Bill. You are a great and wonderful man and I can tell that you love what you do. Keep up the great work.

Sincerely,
Christian Martens (Happy Father)

I have noticed the world is getting so much smaller with each passing week?

Just the other day, while visiting Baptist Medical Center, I was about to get into the elevator, when I noticed a young lady trying to handle, what seemed to be, a heavy box. I offered aide as she seemed to struggle with the container, however, she declined and we were on our way up. When the elevator arrived at her floor, she stated as she stepped out, "My husband took your class". Surprised by her unexpected statement, I tried to respond. As she disappeared into traffic in the hall, she called back "and he loved it".

statement, I tried to respond. As she disappeared into traffic in the hall, she called back "and he loved it"

I guess the word is getting around the Baptist Health System in San Antonio, because I am meeting friends in every hospital that I have never met.

The cycle of becoming new mommies has, for the most part, gone the same for the past decades. Mommies go to the doctor, have baby showers,attend birthing classes that revolve around her, and during the birthing process, mom is the center of attention. Finally, after the new bundle of joy arrives lactation consultants come to help mommy with breastfeeding. What about the dads? Over the past years we’ve seen birthing classes try to involve dad in the birthing process, but lets face it mom has always been the star of the show. For the most part many fathers may like it that way, but what about all the fathers who want to participate as much as possible in this new life venture.

I first met Bill Williams while working in the nursery. I was fairly new to nursing on a Women’s Services area, having a history in emergent and intensive pediatric nursing. Bill came into the nursery and explained his role as educator for the new father’s in his "Sons to Dads" program. Finally someone realized fathers were being overlooked and neglected. I always hear surprise and excitement when a father accomplishes changing his first diaper, or feeding the baby while mom sleeps. In today’s world we hear how women should feel empowered by their abilities, now we are enabling men to empower themselves as good fathers for their children, with the help of a dedicated nurse, educator and father himself. Thank you Bill for caring and helping me do my job a little easier.

Carol Redus R.N.
Northeast Baptist Hospital
Nursery and Women’s Services

Last evening, after the SONS to DADS class at Saint Luke's Baptist Hospital, a few of the expecting dads were discussing what they had learned in the class. I overheard one of the man say, "I called my wife during the break and told her that I had already learned so much and I'm going to really be ready".

Developing Dedicated Dads, one dad at a time.

Last Friday, as I was walking toward the Atrium entrance atNorth Central Baptist Hospital, a couple of ladies were just leaving the hospital. As we past each other one of the ladies broke off her conversation with the second lady to get my attention by saying "thanks for teaching my son to be a daddy". As I stopped to try and recall who she was, she also stopped and continued "and he is still a good daddy. Thank you."

I never know how many people will be touched by SONS to DADS.

Last Friday, August 15, 2008 was one of the most unusual days that I have had in some time. Babies "R" Us, in the Forum, had their first Toys "R" Us/Babies "R" Us side-by-side Grand opening. I was privileged to attend and promote SONS to DADS and as usual I was looking for dads-to-be. During the event a young mother stopped to chat and she began to recount her experience with her last delivery.

"I want you to know my husband took your class. He was so excited when he got home after the class. He wanted to tell me everything he had learned; he was already anticipating the baby but he didn’t know what to do. Because I had a C-section, he had to do all of the hands-on, he did great."

What a difference a dad makes!

Bill,
I can't thank you enough for the knowlegde you gave to me in class at North Central. I was prepared and eager to help both my wife and newborn boy. Thank you for trying to be there for the bath. It still worked out that I could do it.

Here's the kangaroo care pic:



Jason Meridth and newborn baby boy!