Baby-fada

noun BAY-by-FA-da ˈbeːbi ˈfada

Also spelled baby father, babyfada

The father of a woman's child, whom she is no longer (or was never) married to — 'baby father'. In Jamaica's common non-marital family life, the 'baby-fada' relationship endures for the sake of the child, whether the parents are still together or not. The female counterpart is 'baby-madda'.

  • Har baby-fada mind di pickney good.

    Her baby father provides for the child well.

  • Mi an mi baby-fada nuh together no more.

    My baby father and I aren't together anymore.

  • Him a baby-fada fi three different woman.

    He's a baby father to three different women.

A compound — 'baby' plus 'fada' (father) — for the father of one's child outside marriage; parallels 'baby-madda'.

The father of one's child (unmarried). Counterpart of 'baby-madda'. Central to Jamaican family structure. See [[baby-madda]].