Good books for expecting fathers?

[elspethshimon]

I would like something fun and light (but not offensive, you know?)

So far, I've found Father's First Steps by Dr. Sears.

[ZoeyZoo]

I haven't found any NCB oriented books for dads. The Birth Partner may be a good choice for how to support your DW/DP in labor, what to expect, etc.

[elleystar]

My DH has really been enjoying The Expectant Father. Looks like pretty good info, but lighthearted...I can't wait to snatch it from him once he's done!

[ZoeyZoo]

Originally Posted by elleystar

My DH has really been enjoying The Expectant Father. Looks like pretty good info, but lighthearted...I can't wait to snatch it from him once he's done!

DH actually got this one as a gift. I've read it but he hasn't. I like it does a what to expect each month type of format for both the man and the mother. I like it's an easy read and discussed the father and mother's point of views.

There are a few things I don't like about it. If you DP/DW is a big supporter of NCB (many here on MDC are) it isn't exactly NCB, HB, UC friendly. It it very mainstream from that perscpective. It also has a lot of inaccuracies... for example the book says the epidual doesn't cross the placenta and affect the fetus. This is exactly the opposite of what Henci Goer says in a Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth which is based on evidence based research.

[tammyswanson]

How about "What the doctor may Not tell you about circumcision" by Dr. Paul Fleiss.

It told me stuff even I didn't know.

[Superperce]

"Look My Boys Can Swim!" by Ian Davis. My husband who doesn't ever ever ever read books not only read this but has since passed it on to three other expectant fathers. It's short and humorous but has good info, given through real life anecdotes.

[elspethshimon]

Originally Posted by ZoeyZoo

I haven't found any NCB oriented books for dads. The Birth Partner may be a good choice for how to support your DW/DP in labor, what to expect, etc.

We have this one (from my doula training). It's on his night stand right now but he's not reading it until we have a BCP

He's already on board with a home birth and keeping our kids (boy or girl) intact, so I don't really need to convince him of anything, but I would like him to learn more.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[Sabo]

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden. I gave it to my dh to tell him I was pregnant. Its quite funny, but very informative too, supportive of breastfeeding, etc. Its not what you would call "crunchy," but its still good. Dh really liked it, so much so that he gave it to one of our friends who is expecting his first child in June.

Amazon has a feature where you can read a few pages here.

[GaryD]

Homedaddy: Little White Lies & Other Tales from the Crib by Todd Pinsky is a pretty good book about being a dad. Nothing birth related and it's not perfect, but what other than your own infants are?

[garydpdx]

It's a bit heavy but folks might also want to track down Father Hunger by James M. Herzog. It's a bit spendy but most libraries carry it. I found it a few years ago during a search for info on male post-partum depression -- for which I've still found little reference to in or out of academia.

-Gary

[Thalia]

My DH loves Becoming a Father by Dr. Sears. Here's a review from La Leche League.

[zinemama]

Family Man by Calvin Trillin. It's a memoir about raising his girls in NYC and it has lots about fatherhood - plus, it's a delightful read.

[PiePie]

dh recommends simkin's birth partner.

[Twinklefae]

Just DO NOT read "She's having a baby and I"m having a breakdown" We were given it, and it was terrible! Tell your wife to pee in a disposible cup on the side of the road, must get all the testing, don't let her have a homebirth, just "humour" her...ick.

We got rid of it. I read a lot of snippets out loud.