Reddit mentions: The best funny parenting books

Most governments (for sure in Ontario) have programs to provide information and get you as prepared as you're going to be.

I just sent a detailed email to a friend of mine that is expecting as well and was in the same boat as you. Some of the stuff you probably haven't thought about yet, so take what I say below at face value.

Also, to all in the thread, the obvious disclaimer - these are my opinions. You might not agree with them. Also, my email was based on living in Toronto, but you can change to meet your situation


a) To start, there are a multitude of books available, as well as websites. Not to mention that I'm sure you'll be hearing stuff from friends and family. I've found it best to just filter all of that. I read only one book while my wife was pregnant, and that's because it was a good read - http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Meets-World-Smile-Toddle/dp/0312591349 (it's available at Toronto Library, so no need to buy it).

This book is also a pretty good guide - http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547 (again, also at TPL)

Here's what I found with books - Most of them have the same tone when it comes to men - "Dude, no more going out to party, and since you're stupid as hell, here are the basics"

So don't spend too much time reading 1,000,000 different books - it will be repetitive.


b) My wife and I took the prenatal courses at St. Joseph's Hospital. They helped because I learned a lot, and they were great information. Definitely helped put my mind at ease because I really knew nothing about raising a child.


c) Stroller / Car Seat. This is a toughie. Scenarios as follows:

i) Buy a travel system. This is for convenience. It's an infant seat & stroller in one package. You take the infant seat out (with the baby in it) and it locks directly into the stroller. Easy transport, no fuss. Downside - infant seats are only good until they're 6 months old. Then you have to buy another car seat.

ii) Buy the stroller and infant seat separately. Doesn't really make sense to do this, but it's an option.

iii) Buy the stroller and a convertible car seat separately (this is what we did). A convertible car seat covers from 5lb to 70lb, so basically the entire time the child needs a car seat. The downfall with this compared to a travel system is that you have to take your child out of the car seat to bring into the house / put into the stroller / etc. If (s)he's sleeping, there's a chance they'll wake up.

We also bought baby carriers (Ergo Baby, Mobi Wrap) because we live right downtown, so walking around with a baby / taking the TTC with a baby is easier when they're strapped to you.


d) Clothes. Don't spend too much on clothes. There are outfits that cost far too much, and they grow so quick that the item of clothes is only used for 3 - 4 weeks. Plus it's the typical baby shower gift, so expect to get a bunch of clothes.


e) Feeding - know that it will be hard, whatever avenue your wife goes down. Just know that whatever she chooses, you need to support her and remind her to stick through it because whether it's formula or breast, it's hard. (if you don't know, they have milk / formula exclusively until 6 months)

My wife is a big fan of the Boppy pillow. Just one of many items out there. We also got a Pashmama, which is a cover for when my wife wants to feed in public.


f) Sleeping - I made the mistake of buying a crib right away, and I set it up and everything, only to have my wife decide that she wanted a bassinet, and also that she wanted our daughter to co-sleep. You will need a crib, just discuss with your wife what set up you want before you run out and buy one.


g) To elaborate on point F, the same applies for all other baby items. We have a bouncer, a crib, a bassinet, a play pad, and some toys. My appt is suddenly feeling very very small. While my daughter uses most of the items (still doesn't use the crib), I probably didn't have to buy everything at once.


h) Diapers. In our experience, Pampers Swaddlers have been the best. You will have leaks / blowouts / messes, and from there you'll determine what works best for your baby. A good price on diapers is $0.14 - 0.18 / diaper. Amazon.ca now has Amazon Family - http://www.amazon.ca/gp/family/signup/
It's a great service once you find out which diapers work best for you.


The rest of the stuff you'll learn along the way.
You need a diaper bag. Spit rags are essential. If the child's fingers are too small to cut his / her nails, you can file them down. Burp the baby after they eat (note: do this even if they fall asleep). Introduce pacifiers later on in life if breast feeding to avoid "nipple confusion". Etc. Etc.


There are so many things that you can't possibly learn from a book, and every baby is different, so the rest of the stuff you'll learn as you go along.



In the end - congrats and have fun!

I did cloth for my first and half of my second, then switched to throwaways toward the end of my second and third kid.

The thing that will get you off of them is extra time and effort. They take up more space, are harder to manage when you have 3 kids running around, and make a lot more laundry. I found I had to do a load every other day or the smell would be not very fun when putting them in the washer.

I found pockets were the best at stopping leaks and keeping baby happy and dry, but required most effort, all in ones took more drying time but had less hands-on time while doing laundry, but sometimes leaked if baby had a heavy night, and weren't always as good at wicking away moisture as the pockets were. I only used prefolds for the infants, but if I had larger ones I might have preferred those over the pockets since they are the least time consuming of the three. Also you can reuse the covers, just wipe, dry, and put in a new prefold. Great when you are changing them every hour because they won't. stop. pooping.

I used Charlie's Soap, and we still use it for all our laundry. Our first had really sensitive skin and when we got Charlies for the diapers, we used it for a couple loads of her clothes and her skin looked much better almost right away. It's pretty good soap. We get it from Amazon delivered every month, I'd recommend it. I don't know how good it is at disinfecting.. but we've never ever had a problem with it. We used BAC-OUT from biokleen every couple of washes to help with the smell, as Charlies was great on normal laundry but after a few washes diapers get a faint odor that I didn't like. Also you need to do a special wash every once in a while, I forget what it's called but I'm sure you'll see it.

As you can see... washing is the big thing. It's the main thing that turned me off to them. If I didn't dislike laundry as much we would be using them for number 3.

Best of luck! I'd recommend a book too, nothing to do with diapers, but it's fantastic for your first kid. I give it to all my friends when they have one. The Baby Owner's Manual

Trust me, it's fantastic and totally worth 10 bucks, but you can find it cheaper on Amazon some places. I found it for 3 bucks at a local bookstore, so a bought more than one :)

Yes, the crib can come at anytime, but I think he needs to be in the same room as mommy until 6 months. You could go sooner, but why? Unless he's causing problems with sleep, as they say, "if it ain't broke....".

EVERYONE, has advice and they are more than happy to give it, so I'll repeat mine. "If it doesn't FEEL right, don't do it."

You will over think everything about the first child, I did and still do. Read, but try not to obsess with "growth charts" and the "he should be doing "blank" at this many months" charts all baby books seem to have.

Find a good pediatrician, one you like as well as respect and but most of all has kids of his own. I think having kids changes your outlook and it's important that your doctor have some perspective and first hand experience of being a first time parent. Nothing changes your life more than the first child as you will soon see.

Dad needs to read this book "Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads" it's funny but has some great advice. Yes, MORE advice sorry.

Good Luck the first six months or so are the toughest, but also the most rewarding.

Books

These are the only ones I bought and read:

• The Baby's Owner Manual
  
  
• Pregnancy Instruction Manual
  
  
• The Pregnancy Countdown book
  
  I love this Subreddit and just how easy breezy and fun the conversations were while still being helpful. I found these books had a similar feel to them.
  
  ----
  
  Baby Bump
  
  I'm pretty petite and really didn't start showing until 24-ish weeks? Then is was like BOOM. There's a baby in there. So, I bet it's coming sooner than you think. I honestly was able to sleep on my stomach late into the 2nd Tri - which made me very happy.
  
  ----
  
  Food
  
  I just ate what felt right at that moment. I had a lot of food aversions and it was just hard for a while. Eventually, I found things that worked and then the aversions tapered. I've been eating cashews a lot lately... Milk hits the spot... I'd say keep trying until you find something!
  
  ----
  
  TIMING
  
  I didn't really have a "timeline," and my OB would remind us and help us figure out when to do some things like, call the insurance company, schedule classes, etc. I preferred to take the classes later so the information stayed fresh.
  
  As for a car, we started that early because we knew we had two cars to sell/trade and wanted to make sure we found something we both really liked.
  
  Make a list of what you want done before baby comes and place it according to "MUST HAVES" / "NICE TO HAVES" -- that helped us prioritize and made it feel more managable.
  
  Hope some of this helped!!

Your boss might like these:

• No place like home WV necklace - $13 + $3 shipping
  
  
• West Virginia shaped heart necklace - $17 free shipping
  
  
• Big Bang Keychain - $7 prime
  
  And ideas for your friends:
  
  
• Do any of them game? There are many inexpensive decks of cards that are themed, plus as a bonus you all could get together and play cards. Win-win. Just for an example, here is a deck of Dragon Age cards. - $5 prime
  
  
• Any struggling college students? Rapid Ramen cooker - $7 free shipping
  
  
• Nice looking infinity scarf - $7 free shipping
  
  
• My Bleeping Mad Libs book that you guys could sit around and have a few laughs over. - $4.99 prime
  
  
  
• What about a keychain flash drive for everyone? They're inexpensive and come in different styles. Robot Flash drive $6.00 free shipping , Spiderman flash drive $12 free shipping
  
  Maybe that'll help. Good luck!

The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy was by far my favorite. I thought it was going to be dry and medical, but it had everything I was looking for. I found "What to Expect" to be a little disorganized and kind of scary, but I know a lot of women like it.

We also really like Be Prepared, which is really a dad book but I enjoyed as well. It's lighthearted and easy to read in quick segments, but has a lot of good info.

Online, I really like the Babycenter.com community because it has so many people... almost any question I have has already been asked and answered, so I find lots of answers. If your town has a chapter of the Mommies Network you'll absolutely get great info there, and meet local parents/parents-to-be. Finally, if you're breastfeeding, Kellymom is a must.

Whew! Hope those help!

Deep breath. Everything's alright. Babies just happen sometimes. Remember that we somehow evolved as a species by having babies in the woods, when our best tools were sharpened rocks. Just love, relax, and be compassionate... everything else will play out on it's own. You sound like you are in a better position than I was (in college, delivering pizza, and no savings). I'm sure you can google your specific questions, but here's my opinion:

• Business trips - Good, more pillows for her. Things don't get too exciting until the 3rd trimester.
  
  
• Insurance - hers, since until the baby is born, it is essentially her 'condition'. After the baby comes? I guess you'll just have to compare co-pays, maximum benefits, whether a preferred provider is on the list, who will be taking to appointments, etc.
  
  
• Last name - Yours, assuming you want to be involved, she is cool with that, and possibly she might take on your name as well.
  
  
• Share news - standard is 12 wks, but it's your call.
  
  I recommend:
  
  The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance
  
  It's amusing and actually very informative. I found it more readable than the 'What to expect when you're expecting' series. Cheers!

Congratulations, and welcome! SO and I just found out about our incoming bundle of cuteness on Monday, had our ultrasound to rule out ectopic on Tuesday, and it has been a whirlwind ever since. I have been on the depo shot for 2 years, and I only missed one cycle (was due for a shot 7/1, conceived around 7/15). We are due April 11th, but they may change it to the 16th! As far as not drinking, I would go with the "new medications, can't drink" thing. It's something people shouldn't question, and if they do it is easy enough to explain. Just be prepared to answer the questions ahead of time!

One of my favorite books from my last pregnancy, especially for our dear sweet men, is The Pregnancy Instruction Manual and [The Baby Owner's Manual] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y) once little one is here. They are easy to read and sort of hilarious!

Again, congratulations!

Two books that are not only helpful, but also manly (needed for reading in public), and entertaining.

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance

and

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

I highly recommend both books.

EDIT: Still read the ones made for girls though (My girl is using the Babycenter one). Be a geek about pregnancy & babies, the information doesn't seem helpful now but there will be something in there that will be extremely helpful at a later date.

I am not able to as my dad has passed away, but when you feel comfortable to, ask your dad and her dad about you both as babies. See if they have tips, especially about stuff like how they handled the feeling of responsibility you will eventually get near the end of the pregnancy.

Expect fucking crazy dreams..... I don't normally dream, but lately... Jesus...

Anyway congrats, welcome to the parenting side of the fence. :D

EDIT2: Don't be a bum... Goto the baby shower if she wants you to. Glad hand some Aunts/Grannies/Cousins, they will be your future babysitters so be nice.

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas! :) Here are a couple things I liked in my planning:

1. Wedding Planning for the Busy Feminist - Practical and funny and very useful day-of timelines. Also a great appendix of vendors, designers, etc. https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Planning-Feminist-Amanda-Pendolino/dp/1980821887
   
   
2. The Knot's Planning Binder - Great for organizing contracts and business cards, I liked their color swatches for choosing coordinating colors. https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Wedding-Planner-Organizer-binder/dp/0770433367
   
   
3. Budget Savvy Bride Wedding Planner & Organizer https://www.amazon.com/Budget-Savvy-Wedding-Planner-Organizer-Checklists/dp/1623159857
   
   
4. K Company Smash Book - My sister in law gave me this - a great place to collect all sorts of mementos as you're planning your special day! https://www.amazon.com/K-Company-30-659391-CompanySMASH-Wedding/dp/B007HONAV8/
   
   ​

I'm 9 weeks into this same thing (a boy and a girl).

One thing I've learned so far is you can't do it all. There is going to be moments where somebody's going to have to sit and cry. For example, you can only change one diaper at a time. They will be okay.

Do some research about babies being in the NICU. Don't let it worry you too much. It seems most twins go to the NICU for at least a little bit. Mine were there 3 weeks

Definitely keep both on the same schedule. If you feed one, feed the other. If you change one diaper, change the other.

There's going to be a moments where you get overly frustrated. Put the babies in a safe place and walk away for a few breaths. Also make sure momma does the same thing.

Always accept help. Don't feel proud and try to be a superhero. Weather it's somebody willing to come help you watch the kids, or someone willing to cook you a meal. If they offer, take advantage.

Some more spacific things would include:

• Keep a changing table in your bedroom (an extra for downstairs if you have two floors)
  
• Keep spair clothes in the bedroom.
  
• Use puppy pads to put them down on the couch or bed
  
• Label their bottles and pacifiers for each child (I have one with thrush right now)
  
• Buy something to hands-free carry them around the house with
  
• Multiple bottle drying racks
  
• Podster baby seats
  
• Be prepared to need formula
  
• Find a brand of coffee and creamer you like.
  
• Get a coffee pot with a timer
  
• Get A Yeti or Thermos coffee cup
  (I may add to this later if I think of more)
  
  A couple of good books I liked:
  
  Be Prepared https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743251547/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_tdARDbCCNJJN0
  The Baby Owner's Manual https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594745978/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_leARDbH84Q31C
  
  
  Lastly, and most importantly, if you're worried about being good parent, then you are being a good parent.
  
  Good luck my fellow brethren

No baby here yet (I'm due 3 days before you and still haven't popped yet!), but I have a few book recommendations. Your boyfriend might enjoy the first because it's amusing and not really overwhelming, called The Baby Owner's Manual. I am currently reading Mayo Clinic's Guide to Baby's First Year, which is more clinical but VERY detailed. I really enjoyed the mayo clinic pregnancy book because it wasn't as scare-tactic as some of the others (like What to Expect) but still gave good, evidence-based information. Speaking of evidence-based, I read and thoroughly enjoyed The Science of Mom, which is kind of like Expecting Better but for baby's first year of life. It goes over a lot of scientific studies, if that's your thing!

I bought two for my significant other. DadLabs and Be Prepared.

Be Prepared came in first and he enjoyed it. I picked it up and flipped through it a bit. Lighthearted with just enough neat little "tips" that it makes it worth the couple bucks I spent on a nice used book. It's just kind of bathroom material now.

Then DadLabs came in. He read it cover to cover. Put bookmarks in. Highlighted stuff. He LOVED it. He isn't a big "reader" so that's saying a lot for him. I read a bit of this one too. It's practical and more serious than Be Prepared, but still fun and enjoyable to read. I also got a score on Amazon with this one, bought used, it showed up in perfect condition, and was signed by all the authors. :)

Not sure if it'd count, but there's this Baby Owner's Manual that my SO and I got when she was pregnant. Lucked out and found it at a Goodwill while buying some other baby books and whatnot. Anyway, it's actually got some pretty great info and it's presented in a pretty fun way.

Other than that, just have to say, be prepared for poop. Like, I know that you've already braced yourself for dirty diapers, yeah, that's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about how babies will just magically find ways to get poop from their diapers onto everything else. Like there will be that dreaded blowout, and trust me, one of you at least will be sent into this sort of shellshocked mode of just sitting there and shaking your head and just mumbling "I don't know, I just don't know."

If you just use The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding as a reference, it is good. I also liked What to Expect. I kinda split the difference between crunchy SAHM and epidural-loving working mom, though.

My husband LOVED the daddy book I got him called Be Prepared. He ended up bringing it to the hospital with him, and eventually even I read the whole thing.

My friend who is really into nutrition of her babies just recommended Super Baby Food to me, but I can't vouch for it. Also seems to have mixed reviews on Amazon. I was given a book called The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet that I haven't really looked at yet, but might now that we're starting solids.

The only cloth diapering book I read was Changing Diapers by Kelly Wels. It was okay, but I did better just by internetting.

And if you're a frugal momma, pick up the most recent edition of Baby Bargains. I've only heard good things.

I'm a FTM and I have taken absolutely zero childbirth classes or infant care classes. I have done a lot of research on my own when it comes to childbirth, however. The library has been my best friend. I don't plan on doing any infant care classes. I've been around babies with my nieces, nephews and cousin's kids so I'm not worried about that. I did, however, purchase The Baby Owner's Manual for my husband and he loves it. He's never really had any experience with babies at all.
 
You are definitely not a bad mom already! You will survive without them. A lot of child care is intuition and with childbirth you will have your doula. I think you'll be absolutely fine. You got this!

We are on almost the exact same timeline (ahead 1 week) and also having a girl. I too have a younger brother, but honestly anytime I ever imagined having a child it was a girl so I feel like im subconsciously prepared for it. I was more fearful about having a boy!

I would recommend checking out this baby book I got recently which helped put my mind at ease for the infant stage. It reads like an instruction manual and has some good humor in it. Better than any of the other books ive read, and yes it covers wiping, burping, swaddling, etc.

All in all though, i wouldnt stress about the sex. It's going to be a wild ride regardless!

Yeah, some of the other subreddits have links to parenting resources, although at a quick glance I did not see anything specifically related to baby proofing, so my bad on that.

I thought the book Be Prepared, A Practical Handbook for New Dads was pretty useful, and it has a good amount of helpful information about what to do before and after the baby arrives through the first year. It's easy to read, with some good humor. Hope that helps.

Yes! I bitched on here about my situation a while ago. I bought my SO this book and gave it to him when I found out I was pregnant, but he didn’t start reading it until recently (I’m almost 32 weeks). I had a major meltdown a couple weeks ago where I told him that I didn’t feel like he was being emotionally supportive. After having talked to friends and family, I found out that this can be normal for men.. and it does not mean they won’t be good fathers. I ended up signing us up for a childbirth class, as well as a baby basics class. We’ve had 2 out of 5 classes so far and he’s been attentive and will interact with me in class, which I didn’t expect at all.

Maybe he’s like my partner, and giving him that little push will help. Have you communicated any of this with him?

My DH and I didn't do anything special before trying, or while trying, aside from me using a ovulation predictor test daily that I ordered from Amazon (there are some really cheap ones that work well) and my husband keeping his laptop off his lap.

As for gaining too much weight while pregnant - everyone is different. I eat when I'm hungry and I try to eat healthy. First and second trimester I was right on for weight gain, exactly where I should be. Third trimester my weight has been bouncing all over the place and my diet/lifestyle haven't changed at all. I think your body has a lot more say over your weight gain than what you put in your mouth sometimes. I'm eating healthy and not ridiculous amounts, so I'm not going to worry about it until after I give birth, I can try to lose weight then.

I avoided all parenting magazines like the plague. Every one I looked at was pure advertising, or advertising dressed up to look like articles. I stuck to this subreddit, talking to my OB and This and this book. They were informative, enjoyable to read and pretty unbiased. DH and I also took a childbirth class, breastfeeding class and newborn care class through a third party company affiliated with our hospital.

I like to theme my gift around all the things my husband and I had to dash out the door for with my first. Baby Tylenol, a good thermometer, ice packs, mothers milk tea, baby spoons, a very large/warm blanket sleeper for camping or just staying somewhere chilly, things like that. Oh! And everything needed for a good pedicure to celebrate when the mom to be can see her feet again. If it is for a first child, I also like to include a numerous (but helpful) baby care guide for the dad. This is a favorite. If it is not a first child, I like to bring a small present for the older sibling(s). It doesn't have to be big, a coloring book and markers will do, but it is always very appreciated by the child and parents. Hope that helps!

Congrats!

Lots of great advice already on this thread, but I wanted to recommend this book as well. It is witty and playful, but has a lot of really good information.

Also, be the best husband in the world and as soon as your wife starts getting big, buy her a body pillow. I made it through my first pregnancy without one, but now at 31 weeks along with my second, I can't imagine how I survived without it.

>he is fairly nonplussed and doesn't really seriously discuss it with me

This is going to be your biggest hurdle, you need to have an open line of communication. We don't have a perfect marriage by any means, but we've been together for 5 years (baby status I know) but we don't fight. We communicate and have discussions, it makes a HUGE difference and keeps stress levels WAY down now that I'm pregnant.

Anyway. I got him the book, Dude, You're Gonna Be A Dad. He's really enjoyed reading it. It goes through a lot of what to expect during each trimester, how to prepare for baby care, and most importantly (to me) momma care. It explains what we're going through physically and emotionally. It does a really nice job laying things out in terms that guys can relate to, or at least as closely as possible.

Reddit is definitely a great resource. However, make sure she knows about babycenter.com. That is a great resource for new parents (mom & dad). Having a brand new baby at home can be a very stressful time. However, between all the screaming you and your wife will have some of the most precious and memorable experiences of your lives. Treasure those moments and the stressful times will feel worth the effort. Definitely pick up the Nose Frieda. It definitely helps having the right tool for the job. Also, pickup a copy of Be Prepared. It's a great (and funny) book for new dads.

Along similar lines, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal by Jena Pincott, the author of the book Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?: The Surprising Science of Pregnancy, that talked about men's reactions to pregnancy:

> What should a man expect when he's expecting? To loosen his belt. About half of all expectant dads gain weight—up to 30 pounds—during their partners' pregnancies.

> And that isn't all. A dad-to-be can expect to be slammed by at least one other pregnancy symptom, like nausea, fatigue, food cravings, odor aversions, mood swings, sleep problems or bouts of bloat. Symptoms commonly strike in the first trimester, wane in the second and return with a vengeance in the third.

> [...]

> Ms. Storey and Ms. Wynne-Edwards homed in on a hormone called prolactin. Prolactin levels rise dramatically in women during pregnancy. A Buddhist of a hormone, it slows everything down to a more meditative pace. Under its influence, fats and sugars are metabolized less effectively, which explains the weight gain.

> Prolactin also arouses sweet and tender feelings by prompting pleasure hormones known as opioids. In men, it lowers the libido. When high on prolactin, you're heavy, soft, abundant and more emotionally astute. You're about to be reincarnated as a parent.

To get to the full article for free, I googled the title and clicked the link: http://www.google.com/search?q=The+Plight+of+the+Pregnant+Man

Awe, congrats!!!
I have 2 kiddos (now 6 and 2 1/2) and the number 1 thing I've learned this that not all kids like the same things. My oldest hated his swing, while my youngest loved it. They both liked the bouncer and jumper, and I only used the baby gym for tummy time (I tried the over head toys, neither kiddos were impressed). Looking back the best things were:

1. Prefold cloth diapers are the most useful thing ever. I still use them as rags today
   
   
2. If you have light sleepers like I do, a video monitor is a must. I don't know how many times I accidentally woke them up making sure they were still breathing.
   
   
3. Ergo carrier.
   
   
4. Swaddling blankets!
   
   We didn't need
   
   
5. Fancy clothes (gifted by family) Seriously, they pee, poop and vomit nonstop. Onesies are the best thing ever.
   
   

6. Shoes (until they can walk)
   

   
   

   Extras: Books - Be Prepared and of course What to Expect When You're Expecting
   

   
   

   )

Dude, you’re going to be a Dad. Cannot remember the author, but the audiobook narration was solid. Felt super informative too. And has good quotes to start each section.

Edit: Found the link finally after work; Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440505365/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xatVBb21N3E69

Also, congratulations!! My wife is 12 weeks today, so I’m interested to see what others here recommend!

Some of those preggy pops maybe? I ended up just sucking on a lot of jolly ranchers, oddly enough. But hard candy could be good.

Maybe a peppermint oil rollerball, that can help with nausea too.

I would put in a pregnancy book you really enjoyed as well. Or one that's just interesting, like Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies?.

http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

This, the Baby Owners Manual, was probably the most useful and appealing to me. It is presented like an actual manual but the instructions were very easy to understand, had great pictures to accompany the descriptions and appealed to my witty side.
I read this before my son was born and I learnt how to how him, swaddle him and kept it close by for reference most of the time.
I passed it on to a friend when they were expecting and I recommend it a lot.

Seconded - when I was pregnant I LOVED Baby Bargains.

This gift will help her save money and not feel overwhelmed about all the choices of baby gear.

I would get the Baby Bargains book and The Pregnancy Instruction Manual. It's an easy, entertaining, funny read.
http://www.amazon.com/Pregnancy-Instruction-Manual-Troubleshooting-Parents/dp/1594742456/ref=pd_sim_b_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1BN4W2EAEGN45HWCJXM5

I just ordered my SO this awesome shirt and onesie combo, an epic coloring book, something to help if he's feeling overwhelmed, a book for bedtime, and a shirt to help bring out his inner nerd as a late father's day/early baby day present~ get your hubby something fun that matches his personality, there's plenty of awesome things on amazon for dads-to-be for every kind of dad out there. You just have to look :3

Dad of 2 here (4 and 2)

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1. Breathe. You cannot comprehend what its like to be a dad yet so frankly don't burn too much energy trying. Just prepare the best you can and accept that there will be things you aren't ready for. But it will be ok, you and your wife will get through this into parenthood just fine.
   
   
2. The best baby book I've ever read as a dad is the Baby Owner's Manual. I give it to all my buds who are soon to be dads. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594745978/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_snkWCbEB79DZK
   
   
3. Take care of your wife and be prepared to be patient. She is literally growing a being inside of her. Shit is gonna get stressful and downright traumatic for her and you need to be her anchor to reality and calm the whole time.
   
   
4. Don't hesitate to ask for advice from other parents the entire time. It really takes a village, digital or otherwise, to make it work and you are not alone.
   
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   Good luck, man. Congratulations!

1. Don't panic.
   
   
2. This book was excellent for me as a gift from the inlaws.
   
   
3. Sign up for free samples of baby stuff and you'll get great coupons for diapers and wipes and stuff.
   
   
4. Congrats!

Hey buddy, I don't know if this is your first but I highly recommend this book. It's funny and helped me get through our first pregnancy.

Best of luck.

This is one of my favorites that i've bought as gifts a few times (and DH actually gifted it to me for christmas lol). Basically a legit user manual for a baby that treats it like it's an appliance, car or electronic device. Has "Figure A, Figure B" type photos throughout, and topics such as "Understanding Power Supply: Programming Baby's Eating Schedule" and has a section on "safety and emergency maintenance" (babyproofing, baby CPR, etc).

Basically a hilarious read with TONS of great information for BOTH of you. Doesn't have the usual "dads don't know anything" vibe that a lot of parenting books do.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978


The book plus a tool belt or similar tote with things like a rattle, bottle, wipes, and diapers might be kind of fun. or simply the book with some of his favorite snacks!

The Baby Owner's Manual

I don't know if this is "small" enough, but it's relatively cheap and a smaller sized book, and I found it incredibly useful! We were gifted it after the baby was born, and I really wish we had gotten it before I gave birth!

It's funny, concise, and actually really useful. :D

I'm also a researcher in my professional life and I found just reading a few books and taking a class was the best way to get my basic knowledge of parenting. I like to keep The Baby's Owner Manual around as a nice reference. After that I talk to parents online and in person about parenting, asking questions here and elsewhere as things came up. There are so many products advertised as essential for kids that it can be useful to get feedback from other parents.

I've probably spent the most time researching medications and ingredients in various products. It seems like many things like gas drops or teething soothing medicines fall under homeopathic medicines.

Haha funny thing, my best friend bought me a baby owner's manual written in the same fashion as an appliance instruction manual. It was both humorous and helpful.

I have no clue what I'm doing. But I still feel pretty confident! Just read books, my friend got me a great book "Show Dad How."http://www.amazon.com/Show-Dad-How-Parenting-Magazine/dp/1616281111 it's just as funny as it is useful.

Grats!

We're in our 17th week, so I'm right there with you. I picked up all 3 of these from a local used book store, and I like to read at the same pace as the pregnancy is going because these first 2 are broken up by month.

For you, there's The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-Be. Good book from the father's perspective. Covers the often overlooked male emotional issues that you may go through.

For both of you, there's the Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy. Covers a lot of medical and physical issues she'll be going through. Almost like a school textbook, but a good one.

And if you're into geeky and funny, there's The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance. There is some good tips here, but it is humor first and informational second.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978/

great book. great info. great bits of humor. welcome to fatherhood.

I really liked this one. It's super practical and actually funny. The illustrations are great, like from old school men's magazines. Be Prepared by Gary Greenberg et al. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0743251547/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_AUPetb1CM32XA

Easiest recommendation I've ever made, Dr. Louis Borgenicht. He is a great guy, funny as can be and fits your last criteria by being Jewish. Here is a link to a book he wrote and a video he did for, "Old Jews telling jokes." He is a great doctor and a very good person.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTF6dOJmxqw

We just picked up Baby Bargains by Denise and Alan Fields. It seems really helpful - lots of product guides, reviews, and suggestions for first time parents. Again, we just picked it up today so take this for what it's worth, but I'm happy we did and already feel like we've gotten our money's worth.

Edit to add I've heard good things about Experimenting with Babies and Be Prepared, but I haven't looked closely at either one.

Baby Owners Manual for to-the-point advice.

Everywhere Babies is a classic the parents will love reading to their baby. It has great rhyming and as the toddler grows, he/she will enjoy looking at the many types of babies in various types of scenes. The book exudes parental love.

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year. So I haven't read a whole lot of this book yet, but from what I've read so far I really enjoy it. It mixes in some humor with a lot of great information. I saw it recommended in another thread on /r/predaddit and decided to purchase it.

I got "So You're Going to be a Dad" as a gift and I loved it. It was hysterical to read, but insightful and useful as well. However, for the more serious stuff, I agree with someone else who suggested "Be Prepared". You've got a lot of good advice in this thread.

New dad to a 1 year old here.

• Be prepared to support your wife through emotional times.
  
• I recommend this book which I found funny yet pretty informative.
  
• Start working out with a kettle ball of at least 15-20 lbs doing lifts similar to picking up a baby. Strengthen that lower back. You will repeatedly pick up the baby a lot.
  
• Look into and take your paternity leave. Too many guys skip out on this. But it does two things. Gives you bonding time, and saves you money. Daycare is expensive.
  
• Look into daycare costs so you are prepared.
  
• Look into local mothers clubs. They usually let in dads. Those groups give away a ton of free gear. They also connect your wife with other women going through the exact same thing. They will have answers you cannot give.
  
• Do not tell friends or family until after the first trimester. Miscarriages happen more often than expected early on. Having to explain this to friends or family is not something you want to do.

>I want to make sure that when my SO looks back on her first pregnancy, that she sees me right by her side.

Dude, that was heartwarming AS FUCK. I'd say you're already on a pretty good track just having that mindset.

I had a really tough first trimester and was having a lot of trouble eating/keeping weight on. Any time I had any little craving my SO made it happen like he was a freakin' genie or something. That was pretty nice. I think a big one is never making her feel like she needs to rationalize anything to you, whether it's a craving or a bad mood. Let her complain, be that sounding board.

And here are two books I'm really liking:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580054846/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687662&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=1594745978&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=01MTWYFH3MCT00RNPVJS

Congrats on the upcoming addition to you both. :)

I found this series of ["Show Me How"] (http://www.amazon.com/Show-Dad-How-Parenting-Magazine/dp/1616281111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526055&sr=8-1&keywords=show+dad+how)
books to be humorous and quite helpful, there's [one for mom] (http://www.amazon.com/Show-Mom-How-Parenting-Magazine/dp/161628112X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526055&sr=8-3&keywords=show+dad+how) too.

Working at a book store I have had several new parents looking for the [Happiest Baby Books] (http://www.amazon.com/Happiest-Baby-Block-Harvey-Karp/dp/0553381466/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526423&sr=8-1&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block) (there's one for toddler's too). The American Pediatric Association also has a [book] (http://www.amazon.com/Caring-Your-Baby-Young-Child/dp/0553393820/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1421526506&sr=8-1&keywords=caring+for+your+baby+and+young+child+birth+to+age+5) that covers Pre-birth to 5 years. I read a chapter each month to keep me up to speed on the miles stones ahead, my son is 3 now and it was incredibly helpful.

Good luck!

Congrats! This is a good book for you for the next 7.5 months. It is not so much about what to do with a new baby, but I found it an easy and someone useful info for being a good partner in pregnancy.

Dude You're Gonna Be a Dad!

I'm a big fan of this book,
http://www.amazon.ca/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547

Seems to be written for dads, without any of the semi condescending attitude that some writers/bloggers would have regarding the male portion of the equation.

I'm about 7 weeks away... and the wife and I are doing good. There are lots of opinions you're about to hear and yours probably won't hold any weight (because.. you're not a parent.. what would you know :P :P) but taker easy, think with common sense, ask questions and you'll be good. Congrats!

We received A Practical Guide for Dads as a gift and enjoyed it a lot.

I'd also recommend The Happiest Baby on the Block and Simplicity Parenting. Just my favorite parenting books, really, rather than anything geared toward "dad". Mayo Clinic was my favorite pregnancy book, however, so good choice.

We both enjoyed The Baby Owner's Manual, which is a rather nerdy look at how to care for a baby. It doesn't cover pregnancy or childbirth, though.

We particularly liked the fact that it said things like "bouncing a baby at a frequency of > 1 Hz is shaking a baby". It's nice to have good definitions of that boundary line.

If you liked Safe Baby Handling Tips available from amazon, then you'll love
Safe Baby Pregnancy tips (read it here), also available from amazon

Seriously, if you like it, buy it, who knows when someone you know will get knocked up, and you'll have the perfect gift!

That's an unfortunate reaction from your husband. He probably doesn't understand that being supportive means being proactive.

I was browsing Amazon today for some journals and landed on this https://www.amazon.ca/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365. I'm tempted to get it for my husband this Father's day, but I'm not gonna lie, it's a bit of a gamble, given his reaction so far, though I'm hoping the humorous tone will lessen the blow of the "lessons". The fact that the author is a man might help with that (husband dealt a lot better with the news after he spoke with a newly minted dad about it).

There's this series that has a book for pregnancy, new baby, and toddler. My husband LOVES it, very informative, fun, not so earthy-crunchy like the women's books. Good luck!

My favorite movie is To Kill a Mockingbird. I would love to give the prize to my mother! She loves make up, me, not so much ahaha!

I love mad libs

Sprout and Bubble! Thank you for the contest!

This came up not to long ago and I will put what I put before
It is very informative and research based but still fun "Caveman's guide to ...." http://www.amazon.com/Cavemans-Pregnancy-Companion-Survival-Expectant/dp/140273526X
A something a lot lighter and just fun to get him into the idea
http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-shooting/dp/1931686238
The latter has a lot less hard fact but I know I enjoyed it and it got me prepped to read the bigger, harder stuff.

My cousin is about 3 months along now and her husband had this on his coffee table.

http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_y

I feel like he's handling it very well. Admits he's scared shitless and unsure of it all, but his friends and family are very supportive and he's thankful for it and takes any advice he can get from them.

There's an awesome book (written by a comedian) called Raising the Perfect Child Through Guilt and Manipulation.

What a great read that is, let me just say. Oh man. =)

The Baby Owner's Manual - I loved this book and found it to be useful as well as entertaining. One thing I found out pretty quickly, however, is that your baby is unique and is not necessarily going to follow some book(s) you read.

I doubt there is a completely non-patronizing pregnancy book available outside of a medical text book. I had the feeling that the authors had purposefully written their books with the idea that the people who needed it the most were those without any prior experience with pregnancy, babies, or children.

There were only two that my wife and I both enjoyed. The first, What to Expect When You're Expecting, was pretty good for straight, factual information.

The other book, Be Prepared, falls into your first category and is more of a bathroom reader joke book, but it was entertaining enough and had some good ideas for the first year.

THIS BOOK really helped me out when we had our first. It's beautifully illustrated, full of helpful information, and worded just like a manual which is funny, yet gets right to the point in three easy steps.

This one is pretty good - it's a good "dad" book, and keeps things pretty straightforward but in a fun way. It's not the most detailed book (I don't think it covered things like sleep regression) but it might be a start? http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Ohhh OK thanks dear! I saw this book and was thinking of buying it for my preg friend lol

Decent book. Also check out this one. Seems goofy but was super fact heavy and spoke to me in a language i both found humorous and easy to read.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

The sooner you can set a precedent of cards and small gifts (if your husband feels like he has to do something), the better. For coworkers, cards are enough. For friends and other people for whom I need to get gifts, I've been sending baby keepsake books like this or this [parenting diary] (https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Club-Baby-Book-Misadventures/dp/145216620X(https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Club-Baby-Book-Misadventures/dp/145216620X) with the coordinating [comedy book] (https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Club-Parenting-Milestones-Coming/dp/1452153477/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1452153477&pd_rd_r=15f6744d-b9cc-11e8-ac55-834a4eb79bb6&pd_rd_w=QHIVR&pd_rd_wg=XtLKf&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=3f9889ac-6c45-46e8-b515-3af650557207&pf_rd_r=AGE6YVD8BAZ1TXGNCR39&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&psc=1&refRID=AGE6YVD8BAZ1TXGNCR39) dependent upon whether I think the parents like comedy and what I've gifted in the same social circle. Your husband could talk to a few coworkers who aren't attending to go in on these books together instead of picking a big ticket item from the registry. It would be cheap and take care of the social obligations.

You have more of a relationship problem than an actual problem with life event invitations. If your husband could manage to say no, you wouldn't be forced into a position of buying gifts for people you don't know. You don't actually have to go off of the registry for events, whether it's for family or strangers. Registries make it easy to coordinate, guests don't have to struggle for ideas, and no one has to deal with return receipts or multiples of the same stuff. Inviting coworkers may be a gift grab, but she could honestly think it's the polite thing to do.

http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Practical-Handbook-Dads/dp/0743251547/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344482516&sr=8-1&keywords=be+prepared

This one. End topic. This is the best book out of the many I read, and it was by far the best.

Oh, and congrats!!

A fun lighthearted parenting book for men, Be Prepared.

And another, Show Dad How.


Oh and, congratulations :)

I hear ya bud, but you dropped alot of details in your original post that is irrelevant to "my wife and I do everything together, she's super supportive, just needs some comfort around the whole entre' thing, throw a book my way.. yo."

Instead you drop info about how you're working 15+ hours and getting no respect and you got a kid coming. It sounded like you are bitching about it and feeling your needs aren't being understood. Been there buddy, totally can relate. I'd like to stick around for a flame war, but if you need a book recommendation I'd go with this one...

http://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Practical-Handbook-Dads/dp/0743251547

From THIS hilarious book - Safe Baby Pregnancy Tips - By David and Kelly Sopp

Which even comes with a great "wheel of responsibility" LOL

Its silly, but this book is cheeky but can help with details around babies, cleaning, washing and sanitizing bottles etc. There is skin care for babies, stump care for the baby, and all kinds of instructions.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519927812&sr=8-1&keywords=how+to+care+for+a+baby

Throw away all other books, buy this one (and only this one) The Baby Owner's Manual

It was given to us as a gift, and we've in turn bought it for every expecting family we know. Truly the best reference for the care of a newborn.

This was my favorite “dad” book — funny, but surprisingly practical.

Make reading to your child part of bedtime routine. For my two, it played a big role in making books and reading a natural part of their environment later on, and the dividends of that pay off in school. Ditto for taking them to the library. Even when it seems silly reading to an infant, it’s a great way for them to hear your voice. And you can literally read them anything — newspaper, Reddit!

Spending time alone with a baby can get boring, so don’t be afraid to leave the house with them. I was a part-time stay at home dad for a few months, and I don’t know what I would have done if I never left the house with my son!

If you've never read this book, I strongly recommend it:

"Kids Say the Darndest Things", Art Linkletter

It's old, but entirely awesome and full of laughs.

I got this book Baby Owner's Manual as a semi gag gift when we were having our first. I actually read through this book and found it really helpful overall. I even referred back to it a few times when we weren't sure on some things.

What to expect is great and all, but it's just TOO much stuff. This keeps it straight and to the point. Plus it's funny because it's written like an instruction manual.

Small gift,


The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance (Owner's and Instruction Manual) https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594745978/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_05qnDbJA78KJJ


A cool gift could be his own diaper bag even. Maybe something nice leather with a monogram. Just my two cents, but having a second diaper bag for my card would be nice and easy rather than having to switch back and forth between cars.


Or something that can keep him busy while baby is sleeping and you are napping.

I bought this book from Amazon to give to my husband along with a really sweet card I found today. He isn't much for actually reading books, but I feel like the humor in it and the silly manual-like terminology will be fun for him to take a look at.

There's a lot of awesome suggestions here, but several would depend on your relationship with your coworker. Some of these are rather personal.

I'd personally go for a restaurant gift card and try to find some humorous things. Everyone needs to eat and who doesn't love laughter?!

One of my husband's fave gifts was a baby owners manual.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1594745978/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1409879020&sr=8-1

When I became a first-time dad several year ago, I found The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance EXTREMELY helpful, and humorous, too.

There is also a toddler edition of this book.

After a little while you can get used to it - at one point I could even tell if my runt was tired/hungry/dirty just by the type of cry she emitted. Best of luck!

Congratulations! Welcome to the journey :D. As far as books go, my husband likes The Expectant Father--it's full of good advice and doesn't treat you like a clueless idiot. For after the baby's born, The Baby Owner's Manual takes a humourous approach to the first year of newborn care.

We really like this book:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

My SO has absolutely zero experience with kids or infants and it has really helped him learn a lot and feel very confident. It is written very much like a techincal manual but humorous. I have looked through it also (LOTS of experience with infants here!) and I find the information to be solid and it gets the point across easily.

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-shooting Tips, and Advice on First-year Maintenance was great for us - we are both STEM nerds too, we loved this! It’s humorous yet informative - I’ll get the toddler version later as well!

Not really set in an inspirational or emotional tone, kinda the opposite really since it’s supposed to resemble an instruction manual, but it’s our favorite book.

This is a really cute book to read, very informational and entertaining. My husband loved it. It's highly recommended.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1616281111/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1413263268&sr=8-1

The numbers are Weeks and Days. So 38 + 2 would be 38 weeks + 2 days.

As for resources, I just Googled a lot. Granted, it's the internet so who knows, but it's not a bad place to start.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting-ebook/dp/B009U9S6D0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539721229&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+user+manual

Is also a lot of fun. :)

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This one is really funny but also has some useful information. Someone gave it to my husband and we loved it

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Amazing book written like a user manual. The sections are great because they're divided up into maintenance, troubleshooting etc so I can quickly find what I need to.

Congratulations! I found Dr. Sears to be pretty helpful. Also, the Baby Owners Manual for the mechanics of year 1.

Edit: corrected url. Also, it's okay for her to have a beer or 1/2 glass of wine now and then, especially after 20 weeks.

Yes, it's [this one] (https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978)! It's meant to be humorous, but it has a lot of very practical info written in the store or an instruction manual. It's been quite helpful for us, as I too had zero experience with babies before my own arrived. ☺️👍

The first time he was on a trip when I got my BFP so I ran to the bookstore and got him Be Prepared. With a card that said "Congrats Dad!" Or something like that.

This time I just shoved the pee stick in his face when he came home with dinner. I think he liked the first time better.

This book is amazing. It's helped me understand what my wife is going through, and how to handle situations.

Also, I don't know if you've done the ultrasound, but find a hospital that has classes. The classes should help you feel more comfortable.

Somethings you should not get off amazon.

Target and Walmart have Flour Sack Dishcloth Towels and they are fantastic burp cloths, and eventually everything-so-can-spill cloths. They are 4 for $3.99 at target and 5 for $4.88 at Walmart, everything on Amazon is like $2 each.

Get this book for your husband, it's super cute!

Congratualtions!

I'm in the home stretch (38 weeks 5 days!) and my husband has loved reading /r/predaddit and /r/daddit

He also got a ton of helpful information from Be Prepared and the Prepared Childbirth class at our local hospital.

As for your wife, just be patient, don't hold anything against her, and try to limit your strongly scented foods if she's feeling nauseous.

> If any of you have any advice, books, or any information that you wish you would have known prior to becoming a father, please post!

Don't worry about being a first time father, the kid is a baby for the first time, so you're both learning on the job! :-)

I enjoyed reading this book prior to the arrival of my first kiddo: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

I used "dude, your going to be a dad!"

It's not a huge book and actually a pretty fun read with an overview of what's going on. Think of it as supplemental. Some good tips as well.

Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months https://www.amazon.com/dp/1440505365/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kMfNzb5YTJK4Q

The two books I've read over the last 9 months are [Baby Meets World] (http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Meets-World-Smile-Toddle/dp/0312591349) and [Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads] (http://www.beprepared.net/). Both have something different to offer.

Baby Meets World uses basic motions a baby makes - suck, smile, touch, and toddle - as launching points for baby care techniques. The author, Nicholas Day, examines current trends and opinions related to breast feeding, swaddling, pacifiers, etc. and historical practices along the same lines. The book is not good at telling parents what to do. It's strength is putting current trends in context, describing human development in the baby months, and offering often funny anecdotes about Day's own experience as a first time father. The big takeaway from the book is there are many ways to care for your child and you're free to choose what is best for your family.

Be Prepared, as the title suggests, is a how to book. Gary Greenberg, author of the Pop Up Book of Nightmares, offers up some something of a Boy Scout Handbook for early fatherhood. His guide is a sequential arc of a baby's development from the [baby's first day] (http://www.beprepared.net/samples_willnwont1.html) through his or her first birthday all with a good sense of humor. Greenberg describes various activities that will be both interesting to dad and help build baby's skills at different stages of development. I wish a second edition would come out to update some of the references, ditch the audio/visual equipment chapter (can be replaced with "Get a smartphone.") and add something about social media. A father friend of mine gave me this book and my wife and I enjoyed reading it on long car trips.

The one book I didn't like was the one my parents gave me: [Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!] (http://www.amazon.com/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365) by John Pfeiffer. I've seen other people recommend it here, but, I really hate the tone of the book. My wife and I started hate reading it and, to Pfeiffer's credit, his writing did spark some important conversations early in the pregnancy. My biggest objection is the author's lazy portrayal of men as oafish self-centered douchebags - the kind that get you lots of karma in /r/cringepics. If the dad to be is an oafish self-centered douchebag, this book is great. The takeaway here is "Stop being a oafish self-centered douchebag! Step up your game and be a dad." I tend to see the men in this sub as already over that obstacle.

TL;DR [Baby Meets World] (http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Meets-World-Smile-Toddle/dp/0312591349) = interesting read. [Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads] (http://www.beprepared.net/) = funny how to guide. [Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!] (http://www.amazon.com/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365) = for douchebags.

I am reading through: http://www.amazon.com/Heading-Home-With-Your-Newborn/dp/1581104448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397573039&sr=8-1&keywords=from+birth+to+reality
which is pretty good with what you need to know about newborns.

I also have http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397573102&sr=8-1&keywords=baby+manual+book which is a quick and easy reference guide and should be more handy when I need to look something up.

I also have what to expect the first year, but I haven't actually looked at it yet. My DH has the Be Prepared book for dads, which he likes.

For books, I've been enjoying:

1. She's having a baby, I'm having a breakdown
   
   
2. Dad's Pregnant Too
   
   
3. The Dumb White Husband's Guide to Babies
   
   I have not enjoyed The Expectant Father, because I feel it goes into too many details about what can go wrong, and frankly, I don't want to read that unless I need to.
   
   The first three listed books are light hearted and easy to read, and provide lots of useful information.
   
   The best tip I can offer, which I got out of one of the books is to write your wife a note every week. I write a couple paragraphs talking about how the last week went for us, and then talk about the little things she does for me that will make her a great mom (such as making me coffee in the the morning even though she doesn't drink it). Yes, I realize she won't make coffee for the baby, but she will do things for him/her even if she doesn't like it, to make them happy.

This book looks like it will be very AMUSING, but it is 0.69 over the $10 limit, so I completely understand if it disqualifies me!

Awesome idea for a contest!

Be Prepared Really helped me, very easy read, and filled with good tips for new dads. Congratulations!

Best advice is buying and reading this book. BE PREPARED, is a quick read with practical advice like How to baby proof a hotel room in 5 min, what to pack in a Guy diaper bag. Be Prepared book

My friend gave me this great book before I had my first:
The Baby Owners Manual & Trouble Shooting
It's a funny, well designed book that is straightforward with all of the basics covered.

The other book that I would recommend is Baby 411
It's a really great book for reference when you are worried about everything - behavior, feeding, sickness, sleeping, etc...

I'm currently reading Happiest Baby on the Block (really good but a little condescending) and Be Prepared I really like that one, as it's practical, useful info aimed at guys, not condescending and not preachy.

For a sillier but useful book, my husband (and I) enjoyed "Be Prepared!".

> how much he neeeeedddssss it

I would say you should explain to him that you neeeeeed him to respect you in this and to have some compassion.

I got my husband a copy of the Expectant Father and he's found it helpful and informative. If your guy won't listen when you explain what you need, maybe he'll listen if it's coming from a book. Or, no offense, I'm sure he's a great guy and has tons of redeeming qualities, but if he's as immature as this post makes him sound, maybe Dude, You're Gonna be a Dad might be more his speed.

Also, explain to him that pregnancy pulls crazy shit with our senses of smell, and for now you need him to either stop using his cologne or understand that he needs to wash it off before you can be near him.

But as far as meeting those neeeeeeds of his ... would it be nuts to take a trip to your local woman-owned sex toy shop to look for some toys to tide him over? There are some very classy men's masturbation devices out there, like tenga (nsfw) though they can get pricey. Maybe seeing that you still care about his sex needs would help him feel better, even if you're not able to drain his nuts yourself?

I'd also recommend The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance and the Caring for Your Baby and Young Child book by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Oh... and Happiest Baby on the Block. I didn't read it... we watched the video instead. Really good advice for calming newborns.

Haha. I love these.

Here's a book about parenting milestones you might like!

This "Dad book" is really cool and I love it. I want to get it for my hubby! Figured I'd share.

I really enjoyed the book "Be Prepared." A little outdated but super practical. Still trying to get hubby to read it though ;-) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743251547/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_H8JlxbQVXD3ZS

Excellent advice from people here. I'd also suggest that you and mom both take a parenting class. Kids are baffling for experienced adults. A good parenting class is extremely helpful for a new parent. Oh, also this book: https://smile.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547?sa-no-redirect=1

Mine loves this one. He loves the silly humor and pictures. It's very informative too.

My husband loved The Baby Owners Manual. It's both funny and genuinely helpful.

>Because bodily autonomy is absolute

Well can you give me any good reason to believe in that conviction? Because that seems like the only backbone of the argument that you are trying to present.


As a side-note, did you know that a baby passes beneficial cells to the mother aiding her healing and makes her stronger in almost every way for all of her life.

As mentioned by DangerDance read some books. The What to Expect Book was a pretty good start and reference during the first year. A lot of it is kinda "figuring it out as you go along" but you are going to have a MUCH easier time doing that if you educate yourself first.

Edit: Also, another book I had was The Baby Owner's Manual which is really geared towards fathers and those with a sense of humor.

Edit2: Also, there is /r/Parenting

I had just accepted a new job, and we had arranged for me to have the car that day so that I could go take my pre-employment drug test. I had POAS earlier that week and it was negative, and I knew I wasn't pregnant, but I thought how awkward it would be if I somehow was and it showed up on the drug test and my new company knew I was pregnant before I did. So I took a test after dropping DH off at work. Just to be sure I wasn't. And, yeah...

Took like 3 more tests throughout the course of that afternoon, and spent the day pacing around the house and around Target for a digital test, a onesie, and this book. Picked DH up from work and had to explain that I had not made it to my drug test that day, nor had I gotten anything ready for dinner. He kept his tone in check, but I could tell he thought I was the laziest wife ever.

When we got home though, I said "Well, I know I didn't figure out anything for dinner, but I did figure out one thing today..." and led him into the nursery where I had put the onesie and the book on display with all the tests. He got a big smile on his face and said "Really?!" He felt better about having such a 'lazy' wife when I explained the reason I didn't go to the drug test - I didn't have any pee left!

Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy

A bit more clinical, and more information (IMO) than "what to expect..."


Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

AWESOME book for dads (me included). Similar info, but much lighter, and easier to read.

I used this one. Helped me understand some of the stuff that was going to happen. That being said, I would suggest you learn to tolerate an extra sprinkle of crazy that your wife will exhibit. Congratulations and good luck!!!

https://www.amazon.com/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539975454&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dude+you+are+gonna+be+a+dad&dpPl=1&dpID=51UysnNAM-L&ref=plSrch

You'll figure it out fairly quickly. Mine is 6 months and we've got it covered. My few books:

The Baby Owner's Manual

Pacify Me - One of the best chapters in here talks about listening to friends and family, but mostly family and disregard the crazy stuff. You'll get to a point where you learn to listen to your instinct, its going to be right (We reference my wife's instinct as it seems to be better honed in, or so she says)

Relax, don't stress, you'll manage.

Reminds me of this book! Congrats OP, love it!

Congrats!

I found this book to be really helpful and well written.

https://www.amazon.com/Dude-Youre-Gonna-Be-Dad/dp/1440505365/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=TDHWHW231P89TR81TDZ8

Well I have one for after birth and it really helped my husband. It is pretty funny and it accurately describes the changes your body goes through and the baby, it's called Be Prepared

https://www.amazon.com/Be-Prepared-Gary-Greenberg/dp/0743251547/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_img_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G9XSTNQ1HFWD6MQPCEY6

http://www.amazon.ca/Lets-Panic-About-Babies-Worthwhile/dp/031264812X

I loved this book during my first pregnancy, and am loving rereading it this time!

This book is also awesome! I included it in something similar for my friend awhile ago: https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Club-Parenting-Milestones-Coming/dp/1452153477/ref=asc_df_1452153477/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312075063269&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8160015180436305684&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027217&hvtargid=pla-369998962277&psc=1

I made a little dad prep kit: an extra large 'Papa Bear' mug, Dude, You're Going to Be a Dad, Oreos (since we can't celebrate with wine!), and the tests in a heart polka dotted bag. He loved it!

If he's super into being a new dad maybe get this book. But maybe something really cool and personal that isn't necessarily baby related.

If all else fails a BJ is the best present a guy could receive.

Hubby got this as more of a gag gift, but it was actually really helpful for the basics - clear instructions with diagrams https://www.amazon.ca/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Not being sarcastic, and even though the book is funny I highly recommend you pick up the Baby Owners Manual.

It helps the analytical person have a pocket reference for topics they can't rightly plan for. They have a toddler version to buy i can't speak to it.

>modes of operation

This reminded me of the Baby Owner's Manual by Louis Borgenicht.

One section describing the baby's body parts I find particularly humorous.

"Neck: Upon arrival, this feature may appear 'useless.' This is not a defect. The neck will become more useful in two to four months."

Highly recommended.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1594745978/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_HOrIyb6XKAPWM

I agree that hospital parenting classes are the best way to go. But you can also find some books on Amazon or videos on Youtube just by searching things like "new dad tips" or something. Here's a few links; I'm not sure how many are targeted to single dads, though. You may find a lot of references to "your partner" in the books, but there still is some truth to that -- you're not romantic partners, but you still need to be parenting partners.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0743251547?keywords=new%20fathers%20book&qid=1452471002&ref_=sr_1_3&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0789212137?keywords=new%20fathers%20book&qid=1452471002&ref_=sr_1_4&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0316159956?keywords=new%20fathers%20book&qid=1452471002&ref_=sr_1_7&sr=8-7

http://www.amazon.com/The-New-Father-Guide-Series-ebook/dp/B00VPPYEWY/ref=dp_kinw_strp_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSfPqgtdmAo

Get him this. I paid double that price for this book, and it was more than worth it. It is an awesome book filled with knowledge and humor.

Congratulations!!!

First off just pause your fears for just a moment and take in the feeling and enjoy it!

Second - Be there for her as much as you can, that’s your ‘other’ job now.

READ as much as you can - I like this book - Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1440505365/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wRKEAb01K29SE

Watch YouTube videos - go to the appointments, ask questions, just overall be involved. Ask questions here! Read a lot of the posts - I’ve learned a lot from just being involved here.

You’re going to be fine - just enjoy the moment. I think everyone, myself included are going through a bunch of WTF holy shit moments.

Welcome to the club dude!

It's from the Safe Baby Handling Tips book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762424915

I would also recommend a Safe Baby Pregnancy Tips book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0762428430/

My husband was gifted this book by our best friends (who have kids). It opened his virgin-to-babies eyes. He learned a ton and we talked about what he was learning. I've noticed him becoming even more attentive to me and planning for our little family's future.

There are a bunch of survival guides for new dads, but this one is my favorite. They had me at the illustration of what to do when the baby takes a poo in the bathtub. The caption is something like "10 points if you catch it in the cup".

This is the perfect book for you :http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Actually I bought it for my husband with our first, and we ended up finding it quite helpful.

This book is supposed to be for fathers/parterns for labor, but I read it and found it a much better read the the ones geared towards mothers:

http://www.amazon.com/Dads-Playbook-Labor-Birth-Practical-ebook/dp/B008MOFNH6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426169499&sr=1-1&keywords=father%27s+guide+to+labor

Yes!

The New Dad's Survival Guide

The Baby Owner's Manual

Dad's Playbook

These are all a bit lighter reading, and mind you I do not regret buying them at all. Really useful information in all of them.

The only "fatherhood" book I could stand: Be Prepared

The only "baby" book I could stand: (and they have a good Toddler one from the same series)
Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice For Your Baby's First Year

I never read any baby books... Just had a few apps on my phone. Baby is not dead. You'll be OK!

I do recommend this, just because it's handy and kind of funny: http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Wedding Planning for the Busy Feminist

The book is filled with practical, funny advice from real brides, grooms and vendors about how to plan your dream wedding on a budget. It's also an empowering survival guide that examines how modern women feel conflicted about outdated traditions and expensive social media fantasies but kinda want the perfect wedding anyway.

Paperback: $12.99 / Ebook: $8.99 / Also on Kindle Unlimited

https://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Planning-Feminist-Amanda-Pendolino/dp/1980821887/

Don't worry it's super easy. When they hand you the baby make sure it's head is in the crook of your elbow and then just cradle the bottom. You'll get the hang of it real quick. Ditch all those parenting books, this is what you need.

I enjoyed Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads. Entertaining, yet informative.

I agree with mostly not focusing on the kid, although if you want to do something fun/goofy and geeky in with a gift I'd suggest either of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Baby-Pregnancy-Tips-David/dp/0762428430

http://www.amazon.com/HTML-Babies-Volume-Web-Design/dp/0615487661

)

I picked up Dude, You're going to be a dad before our first was born. SHe's now 3, and we have a 15 month old. Its such a fun ride.. congrats!

Be Prepared

It's like someone wrote an actual manual for babies. Best practical advice I found (and I'm the mom.) The book is geared towards dads but the advice is mostly for both parents.

Also an hilarious read - they included a chapter called Bidding Farewell to the Breast

My husband is in software so my mom gave him this book: http://www.amazon.com/The-Baby-Owners-Manual-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

My friend with whom I used to go to happy hour weekly bought me this book: http://www.amazon.com/Moms-Who-Drink-Swear-Loving/dp/045141814X

For the parents:

I got this in the book gift exchange and it is really good:

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance


For the kid:

Turntable Timmy

Where the wild things are

Miss Nelson Is Missing!

Goodnight Moon

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

We liked this book so much we bought it for all of our expecting friends.

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

Thanks for that. I read Be Prepared and found it helpful as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978

Buy this. You sound like you need it. Still waiting on the arrival of my twins, but I found the book helpful in getting prepared, plus its very straightforward.

My favorite three were: Be Prepared, The Expectant Father, and The Dad's Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies. And for laughs, there's always The Bro Code for Parents.

Yep... But since it is huge and overwhelming and reads like a textbook, I also got The Pregnancy Instruction Manual for good info in smaller doses.

I just discovered The Baby Owner's Manual - an entire book like this! Might be worth checking out :)

I suggest entertainment such as this They are so funny. Have fun in the sun while you are there!

I see someone else read Be Prepared, which is hilarious and incredibly helpful. Linky

I recommend this book over and over. Reading it was one of the best things I did to settle my nerves and get that peek behind the curtain. I have done many, MANY of the suggestions they outline, and they have never let me down!

My husband is not much of a reader and likes things straight-forward. So i got him this: https://www.amazon.com/Baby-Owners-Manual-Instructions-Trouble-Shooting/dp/1594745978 and he loves it.

I totally agree. We have the AAP Guide (this one: http://www.amazon.com/Caring-Your-Young-Child-Edition/dp/0553386301 ) as well as this "baby manual"

I like both because neither push an agenda, and are very straightforward.

I bought [this one](The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers https://www.amazon.com/dp/0316159956/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rBkLyb5ZQ2DP9) for my husband when I was pregnant with my first. It was a really funny read! He had never dealt with babies before in his life, and I had been dealing with them since I was 13, so it was a tongue-in-cheek gift.