When we think about early childhood development, we often focus on milestones, sleep routines, and the emotional bond between mother and baby. But new research reminds us: the mental health of fathers in those first two years plays a critical—and often overlooked—role, too. A recent meta-analysis published in JAMA Pediatrics, which examined 84 studies involving thousands of fathers and children, found a clear link between paternal mental well-being and a child’s emotional, cognitive, and social development. The effects were most pronounced in early childhood—an especially sensitive window for growth.
