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The Best Pregnancy Books for New and Expecting Dads

If you’re a new dad, or even an expecting dad, you may be looking for some good reading material to help you through this exciting, but possibly also a bit scary, time. Pregnancy, childbirth, and learning how to raise a child can be a daunting experience for both women and men. Having the proper and informative books to read can be a great way to get information and practical tips and prepare yourself for the upcoming arrival of your child. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best pregnancy books for dad.

It may feel like there is not much you can do during the pregnancy, since you are not the one who is pregnant. This is further from the truth! There are plenty of things you can do to help your partner during her pregnancy. You can learn how to be a good birth partner in the delivery room and learn practicial advice on how to be a good dad after the baby is born.. This includes reading up on the subject so you know what to expect during the pregnancy, birth, and even after the baby’s arrival. Below are some of our favorite pregnancy books and baby books. Most of these are written from the male perspective. They are for both first time dads and expectant dads (if you are not expecting your first).

If you are an expecting mother or a family member or friend, this list of books would also make a great gift for the new dad-to-be. The list of books contains everything from what to expect as a first time dad, how to support your partner during pregnancy, the baby’s monthly or weekly development, and what to expect during the baby’s first year and beyond.

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The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be

One great book for dads-to-be is “The Expectant Father” by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash. This book includes information on how to be a supportive partner during pregnancy and childbirth. The book even contains some fun cartoons to help lighten the mood. The updated fifth edition has new sections about work-life balance, what to do during baby’s first year, and even financial planning. If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide for a new father, this is a great choice as the ultimate dad’s guide.

The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be (The New Father, 18)      Paperback – May 11, 2021

The New Dad’s Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers 

Another helpful book for new dads is “The New Dad’s Survival Guide” by Scott Mactavish. This book covers topics such as working through sleep deprivation and even a list of essential baby terms defined. The book is written as a military-style guide, but also provides humor for new parents. Mactavish breaks the baby code and puts everything in terms you will understand. If you’re looking for a dad’s guide that covers all aspects of fatherhood, this is a great option.

The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers      Paperback – Illustrated, January 6, 2005

We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook

If you’re looking for the best book that is specifically geared towards new dads, “We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook” by Adrian Kulp is a great choice. This book has a month by month portion so you can see how the baby is developing along with practical information about how to be a supportive partner. The book also provides a list of questions to ask the doctor and advice on how to help with the birth plan. It presents all the useful information in a humorous manner and helps support your partner while she focuses on having a healthy pregnancy .

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook      Paperback – April 24, 2018

Expectant Dad’s Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know

“The Expectant Dad’s Survival Guide” by Rob Kemp is both an honest and practical guide. It combines expert advice from various professionals to help you better understand your new role. There is plenty of information on what is going on with your partner and with the baby in the various stages of labor and pregnancy. This book is especially helpful if you are the type of person who likes to prepare for anything and everything.

Expectant Dad's Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know      Paperback – January 1, 2010

Pregnancy for Men: The Whole Nine Months

Mark Woods’s “Pregnancy for Men: The Whole Nine Months” is a lighthearted but informative look at pregnancy from a father’s perspective. This book covers everything from the physical changes that occur during your partner’s pregnancy to the emotions men may experience during this time. It includes a monthly guide for how your baby is developing during each pregnancy week along the way. There are plenty of tips provided on how to best support your partner.

Pregnancy For Men: The whole nine months      Paperback – March 5, 2019

From Dude to Dad: The Diaper Dude Guide to Pregnancy

Chris Pegula writes about all the essentials and basic info first time dads need to know about pregnancy, the birth process, and good ways to bond with your new baby. He also offers some helpful tips and resources for new dads. Pegula even discusses how it is okay to be afraid of the new changes that are coming, but how you can still be the best partner despite these fears.

From Dude to Dad: The Diaper Dude Guide to Pregnancy      Paperback – May 6, 2014

Diaper Dude: The Ultimate Dad’s Guide to Surviving the First Two Years 

Chris Pegula’s “Diaper Dude” is a great book for new dads. It helps prepare you for the first two years after the baby arrives. The diaper dude guide covers topics such as how to change a diaper, how to deal with sleep deprivation, the baby’s development, and how to bond with your baby. It also includes a section on working and parenting and babyproofing the house.

Diaper Dude: The Ultimate Dad's Guide to Surviving the First Two Years      Paperback – May 9, 2017

The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life

“The New Dad’s Playbook” helps you with preparing for fatherhood during the pregnancy. It is written by Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson. It has advice on what to do once you bring baby home. This useful book is a good idea for the sports loving dad. It uses football terminology as a way to help explain what you can expect and how to best support your partner during pregnancy and after the baby is born.

The New Dad's Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life      Paperback – May 2, 2017

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood

Michael Lewis’s “Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood” is a practical handbook for exactly what to expect when becoming a father. He writes using his own experiences from the births of his three children. He writes about the ordinary experiences in his life in a fun and relatable manner. This book is a good way to learn about what a father goes through during his daily life.

Home Game: An Accidental Guide to Fatherhood      Paperback – Illustrated, June 7, 2010

The Birth Guy’s Go To Guide for New Dads: How to Support Your Partner Through Birth, Breastfeeding, and Beyond

If you are wanting a good book that will help you understand what your partner is going through during pregnancy and birth, “The Birth Guy’s Go-To Guide for New Dads” by Brian Salmon is a great read. He provides information about the different stages of labor and how you can best support your partner during each one. Salmon includes a list of things to say and not say during labor and the best ways to help your partner. There is also a list of what to pack for the hospital and what exactly to expect in the delivery room.

The Birth Guy's Go-To Guide for New Dads: How to Support Your Partner Through Birth, Breastfeeding, and Beyond      Paperback – Illustrated, February 2, 2019

Man vs. Baby: The Chaos and Comedy of Real-Life Parenting

Matt Coyne’s “Man vs. Baby: The Chaos and Comedy of Real-Life Parenting” is a hilarious account of his first year as a stay-at-home dad. He writes about the challenges and joys that come with being a parent. He includes helpful tips and tricks he has learned along the way. He sprinkles in many fun references to pop culture that make the advice relatable. Coyne provides a wealth of information, while still keeping it light-hearted and helpful. He even compares the birth of the baby as similiar to something you might see in a Saw movie.

Man vs. Baby: The Chaos and Comedy of Real-Life Parenting      Kindle Edition

Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA

“Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA” by Jimmy Fallon is a fun and humorous take on fatherhood. This good, and adorable, book is perfect for the dad who wants to bond with his child and have a good laugh. The book is an easy read. It is about a baby who starts to say words, and the first word is always Dada. It’s a fun way to look at all the different things that daddies do with their babies.

Your Baby's First Word Will Be DADA      Board book – Illustrated, June 9, 2015

Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months

John Pfeiffer’s “Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next Nine Months” is perfect for the soon-to-be dad who wants to be prepared for everything that comes with pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a baby. He covers topics such as how to help your partner through morning sickness and doctor visits. He goes over how to be involved in making decisions about the nursery and other important things. It is full of plently of helpful information that help you take an active role. It prepares you for all the new experiences you are going to have both before and after your baby’s arrival.

Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad!: How to Get (Both of You) Through the Next 9 Months      Paperback – April 18, 2011

Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth

Ina May Gaskin is one of the most well-known names when it comes to childbirth. Her book “Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth” is a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the early stages of labor to postpartum care. She includes many personal stories from her own experiences as a midwife. Her goal is to teach women how to understand and trust their own bodies. The book is not aimed specifically at men, but is still valuable. It is the ultimate pregnancy guide and a helpful read for understanding exactly what your partner is going through during the various stages. You could even read the book together throughout the pregnancy so you can both be as prepared as possible. Reading together can help unite you as a team and get on the same page. This will be even more important after the baby arrives.

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth "Updated With New Material"      Paperback – March 4, 2003

man and woman sitting on a bed reading a book together

There are many great books available for both new and expecting dads. Each book has its own unique perspective and information to offer. Whether you are looking for more practical information or want to read a more humorous take, there is a book on this list for you. Choose the book that best fits your needs and interests to help you through this exciting time. It may seem like you are going through a scary change, but know that you are doing a great job already to help your pregnant partner and baby. Remember, there is not just one way to be a perfect dad, but many ones to be a good one. Do not worry if you feel unsure or do not know how to act in a certain situation. We all had to start somewhere and learn, and so will you! You’re gonna do great! Have you read any of these books? Are there any others you found helpful that you feel should be added to the list? I would love to hear about it in the comments below!

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