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53 Photos of Fathers Helping Their Children Through Challenging Times

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Perhaps one of the most unfair parts of fatherhood is that, according to stereotypes at least, you’re not supposed to be scared. But when your child is in the hospital, that’s next to impossible. That’s OK, though, because even when faced with fear, dads have a way of making everything seem all right. With a hug. With a reassuring look. With a dad joke. With just being there.

Below are just a few of the many fathers who sent us a photo of them with their child while getting through a difficult hospital stay. Here’s to you, dads.

1.

Dad holding baby in hospital
Photo via Andrea Legg

2.

Dad kissing forehead of child in hospital
Photo via Jessica Bodey

3.

Dad smiling at baby in hospital
Photo via Kristina Johnson

4.

Dad holding baby wearing a face mask
Photo via Jen Carter

5.

Dad holding baby in hospital next to mom
Photo via Kathryn Singleton

6.

Dad hugging baby sitting on hospital bed
Photo via Amber Walls Fosler

7.

Dad sitting in front of hospital bed with baby and toys
Photo via Gloria Campbell

8.

Dad standing next to hospital bed with baby and toys
Photo via Autism Mom

9.

Dad standing next to hospital bed baby is lying on
Photo via Jackie Renee

10.

Dad holding hand of baby on hospital bed
Photo via Tracy Slusher Cox

11.

Dad holding daughter in hospital room
Photo via Kate Sytsma

12.

Dad looking down at baby while holding him
Photo via Tristen Wuori

13.

Dad smiling at camera while holding baby at hospital
Photo via Lindsay Vanzandt

14.

Dad standing next to child's hospital bed
Photo via Stephanie Johnson

15.

Dad holding baby and smiling
Photo via Samantha N. DaRocha

16.

Dad holding baby and smiling
Photo via Yentte Xia Fourie

17.

Father holding baby on his lap
Photo via Tanya Louise Tunbridge

18.

Dad next to daughter on hospital couch
Photo via Mike Porath, Founder of The Mighty

19.

Dad next to baby in NICU
Photo via Erica Davis Canfield

20.

Dad holding baby with a pink and white polka dot blanket
Photo via Jacqui Hicklin

21.

Dad and child laughing together next to hospital bed
Photo via Kathryn Singleton

22.

Dad sitting in front of son in a wheelchair in the hospital
Photo via Jeff Davidson

23.

Dad making frowning face while holding crying baby in hospital
Photo via Kimberly Messer Grossman

24.

Collage of photos of dad next to son in hospital
Photo via Helen Bates

25.

Dad sleeping with face mask on while holding baby in hospital
Photo via Heather Bell League

26.

Dad wearing face mask and holding baby in NICU
Photo via Aleisha Aguilera

27.

Dad holding daughter's hand while she sleeps in hospital bed
Photo via Ashley Mobley

28.

Dad sleeping next to sleeping baby at the hospital
Photo via Brenda Hickson

29.

Dad giving child on hospital bed a kiss on the forehead
Photo via Vickie South Sheffield

30.

Dad sitting with baby on his lap
Photo via Lisa De Luna

31.

Dad holding and looking down at baby in hospital
Photo via Krissy Heller

32.

Dad sitting in hospital chair, holding baby
Photo via Sarah Thomas Bobo

33.

Dad posing for photo next to baby, baby holding his finger
Photo via Harvey TheRealtor

34.

Dad holding baby and stuffed animal in hospital chair
Photo via Beth Dellinger Mead

35.

Dad holding child and stuffed animals in hospital
Photo via Katherine Smith

36.

Dad in red shirt holding baby in hospital
Photo via Lisa Stewart

37.

Dad smiling next to child in the hospital
Photo via Lisa Blackstone

38.

Dad holding baby in the hospital
Photo via Leidy Jesse Garcia

39.

Dad next to son in hospital bed, dad holding a book next to his face
Photo via Susan Crowe Brown

40.

Dad holding and sleeping next to baby in hospital bed
Photo via Heather Cortez

41.

Dad touching foreheads with child in the hospital
Photo via Anita Birk

42.

Dad sitting next to son on a bench in the hospital
Photo via Amber Gonzales

43.

Dad smiling and sitting next to daughter coloring at table
Photo via Lauren Casper

44.

Dad sitting next to daughter on hospital bed
Photo via Kate Crabb

45.

Dad touching head of son in hospital bed
Photo via Diana Cosman

46.

Dad touching arm of baby in hospital crib
Photo via Christa Douglas Gill

47.

Dad reading to child in hospital bed
Photo via Anita Birk

48.

Baby looking up at dad in hospital
Photo via Tania de la Ossa-Rucker

49.

Dad holding baby
Photo via Nate Vandenberg

50.

Dad giving support to daughter in hospital bed
Photo via Shauna Cantrell

51.

Dad and mom holding and looking down at baby
Photo via Lauren Wunderlich

52.

Dad reading to baby in hospital chair, baby smiling and holding arm up
Photo via Kathryn Singleton

53.

Dad next to baby in NICU
Photo via Sydnie Eileen Bill

Related: 50 Photos of Mothers Helping Their Children Through Challenging Times

53 Photos of Fathers Helping Their Children Through Challenging Times
Originally published: June 20, 2015
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