The purpose of thesis was to find out fathers’ experiences of home visits that a public health nurse from a maternity and child welfare clinic had done in a southern Finnish municipality. The purpose of the thesis was to produce information about how to support families. This thesis provides information for public health nurses, students and for people who are interested in this topic. The material of thesis was put together from theme interviews from four fathers who are clients in the cooperating maternity and child welfare clinic. The interviews were conducted in the facilities in the cooperating clinic in December 2014. The resulting material was transcribed and analyzed using content analysis.

Fathers felt that home visits are useful and the experiences of home visits were positive. During home visits fathers felt that parents were both considered equally. Fathers were given advice of baby’s care and they also discussed the changed life situation and how to take care of the relationship. After the home visit and public health nurse’s support and encouragement, fathers were able to get more self-confidence and confidence in parenting.

Home visits and the expertise of public health nurse were appreciated. Fathers waited for the nurse reviews on the baby’s growth and well-being as well as new useful advice on the baby’s everyday life.

The results of the thesis show that the newborn home visits are carried out in a way that takes into account the overall family. Fathers expect to receive useful information and support for parenting. The results of the the-sis can be used in developing the home visits in cooperating maternity and child welfare clinic. Public health studies include the development task, which can be found at the end of the thesis.