A recent study on baby monitors showed that dads checked them way more than moms. That almost seems like a bragging point until you get down to statistics. Some men check on their infants once every minute!
The Problem With Baby Monitoring Devices
Sometimes technology does more to create anxiety than improve safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics doesn’t even recommend baby monitors for preventing SIDS and other sleep-related problems.
As reported by Mother.ly, the study, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, makes the case against smart-phone baby monitoring apps and similar products. Instead of reassuring dads or giving them a safeguard against a problem these products cannot provide, they can lead to high rates of anxiety, unnecessary doctor visits and invasive testing prompted by false alarms.
Anxiety Related Activities Can Cause or Be Caused By PPMD
Men sometimes suffer physical and emotional stress during the perinatal phase which leads to depression and anxiety problems. Called Paternal Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder (PPMD) or Paternal Postpartum Depression (PPD), the condition can be as dangerous for your new child as a mother suffering from Postpartum Depression. Engaging in activities that fuel anxiety can trigger PPMD or make symptoms worse.
The question is whether these baby monitoring applications and similar tools cause anxiety issues or are simply popular among men already suffering from anxiety. To be on the safe side, dads who find themselves compelled to download or purchase every safety product on the market and use them obsessively should look into signs of PPMD.
-
These include:
- Aggressive, irrational behavior
- Addictive behavior and increase substance use
- Risk-taking and impulsiveness
- Chronic health problems such as headaches
- Loss of interest in friends and hobbies
- Violent behavior
- Suicidal thoughts
Most men don’t see the problems before they’ve hit a fever-pitch largely because it doesn’t occur to men they might be suffering from birth-related emotional problems.
Getting Real Help for Anxiety
Improving your sleep is the number one factor in solving PPMD. Unfortunately, it’s one of the toughest to manage. Night sitters can be hard to find — and expensive. Instead, put your baby’s crib or bassinet in your bedroom. You’ll both sleep better.
Relationship problems, troubles with finances and a lack of support also contribute. All of those are common among new parents who have split up. Thankfully there are therapists available at all budget levels and a growing number of support groups across the nation aimed at new fathers.
CashApp us
Venmo us
Paypal us
Note: Some links on this site are partner links and earn us a small commission. But it's really tiny. Seriously. Like less than $7 a month.
