Introduction: Father–infant attachment refers to the enduring emotional bond between fathers and their children, manifested through sustained closeness, responsiveness, and affective engagement that promote a sense of security and effective caregiving. Although maternal–infant bonding has historically been prioritised, growing evidence underscores the comparable importance of secure father–infant attachment before conception, during pregnancy, in the postpartum period, and in early childhood. Positive paternal involvement has been associated with improved developmental, relational, and psychosocial outcomes for children. Despite progressive legal advances aimed at promoting gender-equitable parenting roles, certain cultural practices continue to constrain fathers’ participation during pregnancy and early childcare, thereby limiting opportunities for the development of secure father–infant attachment.

Design and Methods: This study sought to explore the experiences of Black African fathers regarding the significance of father–infant bonding and the challenges encountered in negotiating cultural practices that may inhibit paternal involvement. A qualitative, descriptive, narrative design was employed. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling. In-depth, face-to-face narrative interviews were conducted in participants’ natural settings and audio-recorded with informed consent. All interviews were transcribed verbatim, and narrative summaries were returned to participants to enhance credibility through participant validation. Data were analysed using a modified thematic approach informed by Creswell’s framework. Trustworthiness was ensured through the application of Guba and Lincoln’s criteria.

Findings: Five major themes emerged from the broader doctoral study; however, this article focuses on two of them. The first theme explored expected and unexpected Black African fathers' experiences of prenatal and post-birth experiences of living with pregnant partners, with a specific focus on examining expectant fathers’ experiences of paternal–child bonding across multiple dimensions throughout the pregnancy trajectory. The second theme highlights fathers’ insights and lessons learned, with particular emphasis on cultivating positive paternal relationships with their children while navigating culturally embedded practices such as intlawulo. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of recognising expectant fathers as active psychosocial agents whose experiences intersect with maternal health, family wellbeing, and culturally situated reproductive care.

Conclusion: The findings underscore the need to adapt cultural practices to support father–infant attachment, thereby contributing to optimal child development and potential adulthood well-being.

TBA