Reference Book for a Soon to Be Daddy

Updated on December 13, 2008
L.W. asks from Minneapolis, MN
27 answers

My son-in-law needs a book on how to deal with his pregnant wife, my daughter. It is their first time and she has had morning sickness. He tries to understand, but, I feel that there should be some "wonderful" book for him as a soon to be daddy to read. I went to the book store yesterday, but, none jumped out at me... Do any of you have a favorite that your husband really enjoyed reading? She has tons of books already, but, I only know he would enjoy reading his OWN book on how to deal with it all. None of his friends have babies yet, so he really doesn't know much about it. They are both 32. He is most appreciative of any surprise gifts as a soon to be daddy. So, IF you have any other fun ideas for me to give him please do tell me!

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J.O.

answers from Wausau on

The one Katie N referred to is She's Having a Baby - and I'm Having a Breakdown by James Douglas Barron. My husband got a good chuckle out of it. You can find it on Amazon.com

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S.K.

answers from Milwaukee on

The Expectant Father was Great! It even had some basic childcare information in there that my books written for moms didn't have. He read it and he is not an avid reader.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.I.

answers from Duluth on

www.askdrsears.com has good books for both parents. i highly recommend "the baby book" as it covers just about everything through age 1.
however, dr sears also has a book specifically for dads... 20 things every new dad should know... or maybe its 25? something like that. you should be able to find it on that website, otherwise search for william sears on amazon or something and it should come up. even try ebay if you want! :D
my husband also liked a book called "my boys can swim" LOL.
fuuuny stuff!

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L.D.

answers from Minneapolis on

I bought the book "Your Pregnancy for the father-to-be" by Dr. Glade B. Curtis and Judith Schuler for my husband. It's by the same people who wrote "Your Pregnancy Week by week". He also read my "What to expect when your expecting"

1 mom found this helpful

C.B.

answers from Lincoln on

Hi,

I don't have any idea for a book but I do have some suggestions for your daughter. I am seven weeks pregnant with my first baby and my "morning" sickness is out of control! It is all day. My doctor gave me one prescription that kind of worked but when I called and said that I was losing weight and having problems still they prescribed me Zolfran and it is really helpful. I also bought seasickness bracelets. You can buy them at Walgreen’s. They look like sweat wristbands with a little knob that sits on a pressure point on your wrist.

These are the only way I can go to work and sleep at night. I'm not sure how my husband is coping especially since now the smell of his cologne and his breath makes me nauseous :)

I hope these tips help your daughter, she doesn't have to suffer through the nausea, she can get help!

1 mom found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Lincoln on

"The Expectant Father" was a great book for my husband.

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J.Z.

answers from Rochester on

Husband-Coached Childbirth by Dr. Robert Bradley is a fabulous book. It really goes over the whole process (not just how dad should deal with mom-to-be) but it was a life-saver when I was pregnant. An entire childbirth movement/method was created because of this wonderful doctor and I highly recommend it. (I have two "Bradley" babies myself.)

Good luck to you and your family!

Jo

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L.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

There's a hilarious (but very informative) book out there for a new daddy. It's titled 'Be Prepared' - it's set up like a camping book with diagrams and illustrations. Very cute for women to look at, and fun for men to read. Here's a link:

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

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K.C.

answers from Davenport on

I got Pregnancy Sucks for Men for my husband when I was pregnant with our first and ended up reading it together with my husband. It's hilarious, informative, light-hearted and an easy read with a chapter for each month of pregnancy. It tells you what to expect from your wife physically and emotionally, and how you, as the husband should handle it. I definitely recommend it to any first time dads (and moms!) to-be! Have fun and God bless you!

I'm excited for you to be a grandma, my mom says it's the best role in the entire world! :)

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L.H.

answers from Milwaukee on

Have them read what to expect when your expecting. There are chapters and information for both mom and dad.

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C.T.

answers from Milwaukee on

Jenny McCarthy's pregnancy book is for the mom, but it is so raw and so step-by-step real that my husband completely understood me and my pregnancy after reading it. Plus, it is hilarious and a quick read. You mentioned that he is the first of his friends to be a dad and doesn't have much experience with babies, so if they haven't already talked about it, I would have them both sign up for childbirth classes and caring for baby classes at their hospital. He will be an expert after those classes!!!

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C.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had the same problem with my husband. I got him the book "The Expectant Father". It helped him a lot and got him even asking questions about my pregnancy. For a guy who doesn't like to read books, this is one that he actually did!

Hope this helps,
C.

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L.S.

answers from St. Cloud on

My husband was given the book "The Expectant Father" from some friends of ours when he wasn't completely understanding my morning sickness and constant tiredness. It helped by leaps and bounds!! I don't have the author with me, but it is striped on the cover. He really enjoyed the book too and has recommended it to others. Hope it helps!

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C.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

My husband read "What to Expect when You're Expecting" and he also really liked "Be Prepared". It's a humorous, but very informative book that he has now recommended to his friends.

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K.M.

answers from Cedar Rapids on

What to Expect When You're Expecting is a good one for both mom and dad. They have little sections in each week for dad too.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

I had a favorite book, "Pregnancy Sucks." And I got "Pregnancy Sucks for Men." My husband seamed to enjoying it.

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A.D.

answers from Omaha on

My mother in law bought the book "What to Expect When your Expecting" for me. It is a great book and really helped alot. That would be something wonderful they could ready together. Also there is a web site that customs weekly news letter for the mother, grandparents, and fathers so they understand what is happening with the baby. The website is babycenter.com. I used it with all 4 of my pregnancies. Congratulations!!

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M.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

My husband read a book called "So You're Going to be a Dad" it's a good basic book. It's quite funny and I enjoyed paging through it. It doesnt get too technical as I think that would put off many men anyways. I would definitely check it out and see what you think.

Congrats on the grandbaby!!

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S.T.

answers from Minneapolis on

The Expectant Father and The New Father are both great books - really practical and well written. Definitely geared toward male readers. My husband despises reading, but I often find him referring to these books. I think you can even find a boxed set on Amazon.com Good luck!

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G.G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I second the suggestions on Pregnancy Sucks for Men! It is hilarious, but covers realistic things. I really enjoyed reading it too when I was pregnant. I actually liked it more that my other pregnancy books!

Congratulations and good luck!

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L.E.

answers from Milwaukee on

I had the same dilemma with my husband when we first found out we were expecting. He had never been around babies let alone a pregnant woman! I got him "Dad's Pregnant Too!" It is a great book written by a man that explains things through the eyes of a man. It was great because it explained things in a way so that he would be able to relate to things. It also took the pregnancy step by step and thru the different things that I was going to be going through all the way until 4 weeks after the baby was born. Really really great book!!! I got it at Books and Co. in Oconomowoc by Walgreens. I'm sure it is at Barns and Nobel too tho. Good luck!

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A.D.

answers from Davenport on

"Pregnancy Sucks" and "Pregnancy Sucks for Men" are entertaining and informative.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from Waterloo on

My husband also enjoyed the "Be Prepared" book and he is not much of a reader. He now has a subscription to Sports Illustrated because it was recommended in the book that Dads get it. That way Dad keeps up on the scores, he have something to read to baby and baby can look at colorful pictures. I thought it was a cute idea and it's fun to see my daughter sit with her daddy and look at a magazine.

As for a website, I'd recommend Pregnancy Week-by-Week. It tells what the woman and fetus is experiencing a has recommendations for dads. Here's the link:
http://www.pregnancyguideonline.com/

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K.N.

answers from Minneapolis on

I gave my husband "She's having a baby and you're having a breakdown" which he has since recommended to friends.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.N.

answers from Des Moines on

I would recommend Husband Coached Childbirth as well as taking a Bradley method childbirth class. I know it sounds like it is off topic but the book has some chapters on how to "deal" with a prenant wife. The class and the book together really work on training the husband how to be a coach for the wife during pregnancy and labor as well as teach him how to fit in after baby comes. Most every husband is so grateful after taking the class b/c they have an active role not only in childbirth but also in prenancy. Mom loves it b/c she ends up being a bit pampered by dad!

1 mom found this helpful
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W.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I like to gift my friends partners this book:

Thirteen Months of Pregnancy: A Guide for The Pregnant Father by Bill M. Atalla, Steve Beitler, and Marduk Sayad

Good luck!
W.

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N.R.

answers from Minneapolis on

My husband LOVED this book:

She's Having a Baby -- and I'm Having a Breakdown
by James D. Barron, James Douglas Barron (Introduction)

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