Love and overwhelming joy: what fathers say when they hold their newborns (UNICEF Fathers Day campaign 2018)

father baby bangkok love joy

These photos have been published by UNICEF for their 2018 Fathers Day campaign, focusing on paternity leave.

This is what the fathers said to the photographer. It is the most important message in the world about fatherhood.

(Photo above: Supidej, 20, Bangkok, Thailand. © UNICEF/UN0203758/Zehbrauskas)

 

“I feel love. I feel I love him so much.”

Somsak, 50, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Unicef father love joy baby© UNICEF/UN0203776/Zehbrauskas

Unicef father love joy baby© UNICEF/UN0203775/Zehbrauskas

 

“Seeing her breathe, seeing her quiet and good, does not compare to anything, that is the indescribable truth. Contact like this skin-to-skin is very father-like.”

Alfonso, Mexico City, Mexico

Unicef father skin to skin baby© UNICEF/UN0205044/Zehbrauskas

 

“I want to be with the baby and do everything with her.”

Jumphon, 27, Chiang Mai, Thailand

father baby love joy© UNICEF/UN0203804/Zehbrauskas

 

“I think it’s good to have skin-to-skin like this. The feeling is hard to explain, I’m just happy.”

Sompong, 28, Chiang Mai, Thailand

father baby skin-to-skin love joy© UNICEF/UN0203794/Zehbrauskas

 

“I was happy when I held her for the first time….I want to be with her 24/7.”

Arif, 30, Chiang Mai, Thailand

father baby love joy© UNICEF/UN0203789/Zehbrauskas

father baby zehbrauskas love joy© UNICEF/UN0209922/Zehbrauskas

 

“The first moment I saw him, my tears welled up. I think he looks like my wife.”

Perapat, 32,  Chiang Mai, Thailand

father baby love joy© UNICEF/UN0203786/Zehbrauskas

 

“Skin-to-skin feels a lot different than just holding a baby for a cuddle, it feels a lot more connected, it seems a lot more tranquil and peaceful, you focus a lot more, and appreciate how tiny they really are, […] it’s a nicer feeling, it’s hard to explain actually.”

Jim, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, UK

skin-to-skin love baby father© UNICEF/UN0204068/Zehbrauskas

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204067/Zehbrauskas

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204066/Zehbrauskas

 

“I’ve been here every day, I’ve been doing skin-to-skin, it helps him relax, it helps his brain function, I feel this connection with him, we are communicating through skin and our feelings, it’s a true bonding experience, so warm.”

Paul, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, UK

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204080/Zehbrauskas

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204081/Zehbrauskas

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204077/Zehbrauskas

 

“I’ve been doing the skin-to-skin contact, and giving him lots of cuddles. It’s so incredible to have something so precious so close to you, it’s an overwhelming happiness.”

Alex, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, UK

skin-to-skin father baby love© UNICEF/UN0204086/Zehbrauskas

 

And more photos from the UNICEF 2018 Fathers Day campaign…..

Canchungo Hospital, Cacheu Region, Guinea-Bissau

skin-to-skin father baby love guinea bissau© UNICEF/UN0209059/Zehbrauskas

 

Juelmo, Cacheu Region, Guinea-Bissau

father baby love joy guinea bissau© UNICEF/UN0209079/Zehbrauskas

 

James, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, UK

father baby exeter love joy© UNICEF/UN0204090/Zehbrauskas

 

Nathan, Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, in Exeter, UK

father baby exeter love joy© UNICEF/UN0204087/Zehbrauskas

 

Gabino, Veracruz, Mexico

father baby mexico love joy© UNICEF/UN0209879/Zehbrauskas

 

Oliverio, Veracruz, Mexico

father baby mexico love joy© UNICEF/UN0209853/Zehbrauskas

 

Rogelio, Mexico City, Mexico

father baby mexico love joy skin-to-skin© UNICEF/UN0205036/Zehbrauskas

 

Gerardo, Mexico City, Mexico

father baby mexico love joy skin-to-skin© UNICEF/UN0205039/Zehbrauskas

 

Yair, Mexico City, Mexico

father baby mexico love joy skin-to-skin© UNICEF/UN0205047/Zehbrauskas