Book for new Dads?

[naturegirl419]

I want to get my hubbie a good book for new dads that has some useful info, is a fun read and isn't too dense. Any good rec's?

[poetgirl]

Yes! I believe it's called "Becoming a Father" by Dr. Sears.

[zinemama]

Family Man by Calvin Trillin. Not a "helpful hints" book, but a very entertaining read with a whole lot of wisdom.

[naturegirl419]

Great, thanks! I have 3 of Sears' other books and really like his writing style...

[sonicfrost]

My husband is into computers and absolutely loves this book

http://www.thinkgeek.com/books/nonfiction/b5e5/

It uses computer/tech language in baby form. For example, instead of saying "sick baby" it says "malfunctioning model"

[nikirj]

I like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Cavemans-Guide...m_cr_pr_sims_t

I haven't read the whole thing and can't say for sure that it's as "safe" as the Sears guide ideology-wise, but it is a good deal more entertaining. And I didn't see anything really horrible when I flipped through.

[busymama77]

I bought this for DH the Christmas before DS was born: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Pr...0298870&sr=8-2

He found it to be really helpful and still it to this day.

[naturegirl419]

This will be fun to read through all of these... thanks ladies!

[AmyKT]

Originally Posted by busymama77

I bought this for DH the Christmas before DS was born: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Pr...0298870&sr=8-2

He found it to be really helpful and still it to this day.

I love this one! The tone is just right. It even helped to lift my slight PPD. And FWIW, it's pretty AP, even though it's humorous.

[is it puppies?]

My husband enjoyed the "Caveman" one but did note that it doesn't really have a LOT of info, but is easy to read. I browsed it and found only a few things that I questioned.
"Dad's Pregnant, too" looks good, I bought him that one, but neither of us has spent much time with it. It looks like it has a lot more information than the caveman one but still pretty light reading.

[nikirj]

DON'T get "She's Having a Baby and I'm Having a Breakdown." Among other things, it tells dads to "put their foot down" if their wives want homebirths, and insist on the safety of the hospital

[naturegirl419]

Originally Posted by nikirj

DON'T get "She's Having a Baby and I'm Having a Breakdown." Among other things, it tells dads to "put their foot down" if their wives want homebirths, and insist on the safety of the hospital

Ew

[MissMommyNiceNice]

We got the Baby Owner's Manual. Very funny and I get it as a gift for father's at baby showers still. It's very funny but gives some really useful information about various soothing techniques, interacting & games with new baby, sleeping options, bathing, massage, etc.

We had another one that's like a boyscout manual too, that was bigger and funny, but not as straightforward with the info. Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Pr...ef=pd_sim_b_10

The first one is literally written like an owner's manual, so very easy to read & reference.

[coldandsleepy]

Be Prepared was my husband's favorite. I really enjoyed it too.

[countrygirl28]

My husband has the book Mack Daddy. It's an easy read, with some solid info on becoming a dad.

[SeattleRain]

Originally Posted by nikirj

DON'T get "She's Having a Baby and I'm Having a Breakdown." Among other things, it tells dads to "put their foot down" if their wives want homebirths, and insist on the safety of the hospital

Actually, my husband really liked that book and it really helped. I just read the section and it says that if you have CONCERNS then it's within your bounds to speak up about them. I think that's appropriate. A child is made by a mother and father and both have a say in that child's safety and both have a place to express their views. Having those conversations can help educate fathers who don't know really what they're talking about, or can at the very least open a dialogue.

I wouldn't say it's the ONLY book to get, but it really helped with my husband who just didn't "get it." It's by no means complete though. I bought him also the fathers book from pregnancy week by week and while that was more complete, they seemed to have a lot to say about my weight and how he should be helping me not get to fat. Personally, I think THAT is a little gross.

[snoopy5386]

we really liked this series of Expectant Father books
http://www.amazon.com/Father-Knows-B...9&sr=8-3-spell

[usagi]

My husband says he really enjoyed reading Be Prepared but his favorite has been "The Birth Partner" as far as thoroughness and lack of fluff. He describes it as a really well written FAQ (he's a tech geek). He found "Fathers at Birth" to be too new agey for his pretty new agey self and was downright offended by the comedy one, "Pacify Me".

[Jelinifer]

Originally Posted by SeattleRain

Actually, my husband really liked that book and it really helped. I just read the section and it says that if you have CONCERNS then it's within your bounds to speak up about them. I think that's appropriate. A child is made by a mother and father and both have a say in that child's safety and both have a place to express their views. Having those conversations can help educate fathers who don't know really what they're talking about, or can at the very least open a dialogue.

I wouldn't say it's the ONLY book to get, but it really helped with my husband who just didn't "get it." It's by no means complete though. I bought him also the fathers book from pregnancy week by week and while that was more complete, they seemed to have a lot to say about my weight and how he should be helping me not get to fat. Personally, I think THAT is a little gross.

I got that book for DH too... as the companion to my Week by Week book. He didn't really enjoy it either, saying it was pretty much all common sense stuff. Another vote for "Birth Partner" here.....he's finding this one much more useful and enjoyable these days:

http://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-...0357601&sr=8-3