10 Books for Expecting Dads

Read a bundle of books before meeting your bundle of joy.

a smiling man holding his happy baby on his shoulders
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  • Photo Credit: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

While it’s expected that a new mother will be hitting the books ahead of giving birth, it’s just as important for an expecting father to do the same. Exploring the intricacies of raising a child can help set parents up for success and can not only help build a relationship with their baby, but strengthen their relationship with their partner. 

Check out these ten books ahead of your partner’s due date! 

Dad Mode: 25 Ways to Connect with Your Child

Dad Mode: 25 Ways to Connect with Your Child

By Tal Eyre

Set to be released on June 11, 2024, Dad Mode offers practical tips for new fathers to connect with their children. The chapters are on the shorter side, but are jam-packed with actionable strategies and tips for raising a child.  

Dad Mode: 25 Ways to Connect with Your Child
The Ultimate Baby Book for New Dads

The Ultimate Baby Book for New Dads

By Roy Benaroch

With a blend of expert advice, practical tips, and reassuring humor, The Ultimate Baby Book for New Dads is the perfect guide to help expecting fathers navigate the choppy waters of fatherhood with confidence. Recognizing that modern dads are more involved than ever in every aspect of childcare, Benaroch provides essential tips on topics ranging from newborn care and feeding to sleep training and managing parental leave. 

Benaroch covers a wide range of practical advice, including soothing a fussy baby, deciphering different types of cries, and establishing a strong bond with your newborn. He also addresses common concerns such as managing sleep deprivation, balancing work and family life, and supporting your partner through the postpartum period. 

The Ultimate Baby Book for New Dads
Newborn Handbook for New Dads

Newborn Handbook for New Dads

By Roy Benaroch 

Benaroch’s Newborn Handbook for New Dads is designed specifically for fathers navigating the nerve-wracking newborn stage. From diaper changing and swaddling techniques to soothing a colicky baby, Benaroch leaves no stone unturned in teaching fathers how to care for their newborns. Each topic is presented in a straightforward manner, making it easy for even the most inexperienced dad to grasp. 

Benaroch emphasizes the importance of active involvement in parenting from the very beginning. He encourages dads to bond with their babies through skin-to-skin contact, baby-wearing, and active participation in caregiving tasks. By fostering a deeper connection with their newborns, dads not only strengthen their relationship with their child but also contribute to their overall development and well-being. 

Newborn Handbook for New Dads
One-Pan Cookbook for Men

One-Pan Cookbook for Men

By Jon Bailey

If you’re new to cooking, finding somewhere to start can feel incredibly daunting. If you need easy recipes to whip up for yourself and your family, Jon Bailer’s One-Pan Cookbook for Men is the perfect place to start. With a focus on efficiency, flavor, and minimal cleanup, Bailey offers a treasure trove of delicious recipes that can be prepared using just one pan, perfect for busy dads or those new to the kitchen. 

From hearty breakfast skillets to savory one-pan dinners and indulgent desserts, Bailey's recipes cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences. Each recipe is thoughtfully crafted to maximize flavor and minimize the number of pots and pans required, making meal prep a breeze. These one-pan recipes are perfect for busy parents juggling their priorities. By streamlining the cooking process and minimizing cleanup, Bailey's recipes make it possible for even the busiest of dads to make homemade meals for their families. 

One-Pan Cookbook for Men
We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook

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

By Adrian Kulp 

With over 12,000 reviews and a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, We’re Pregnant! The First Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook, has been guiding new dads through this exciting phase in their life since 2018. With a blend of personal anecdotes, expert advice, and practical tips, Kulp tackles everything from understanding the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy to preparing for the arrival of a newborn.  

Kulp also empowers soon-to-be-fathers on how they can actively participate in their partner’s pregnancy journey, offering support and comfort along the way. We’re Pregnant! also covers a wide range of practical topics, including preparing for doctor's appointments, creating a birth plan, and navigating the complexities of maternity leave and financial planning.

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook
The 5-Ingredient Cookbook for Men

The 5-Ingredient Cookbook for Men

By Benjamin Kelly 

Kelly’s The 5-Ingredient Cookbook for Men offers practical tips not only for cooking, but for stocking your kitchen with staple products. Kelly’s cookbook is a collection of delicious and approachable recipes that can be prepared using just five ingredients. 

The 5-Ingredient Cookbook for Men
Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?

Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?

By Kevin Nealon

With a blend of humor and sincerity, Nealon navigates the complexities of pregnancy, from a partner’s hormonal mood swings to coping with the anticipation and anxiety of impending fatherhood. Through Nealon's witty storytelling, expectant fathers are reassured that it's okay to have mixed emotions, and that they're not alone in their experiences. 

Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?
The World's Largest Man

The World's Largest Man

By Harrison Scott Key

Key’s memoir explores the complexities of family, masculinity, and identity. The World’s Largest Man invites readers into his Southern upbringing, offering a candid and sometimes absurd glimpse into the eccentricities of his larger-than-life father, and the challenges of growing up in his shadow.  At the heart of Key's memoir is his complicated relationship with his father, a towering figure—both literally and figuratively.  

The World's Largest Man
Dad's Maybe Book

Dad's Maybe Book

By Tim O'Brien

An acclaimed novelist, Tim O'Brien turns his attention to the real-life role of being a father in Dad’s Maybe Book, offering a heartfelt reflection on life's uncertainties and the legacy we leave behind. In this series of anecdotes, O'Brien shares his personal experiences, philosophical musings, and candid reflections on the complexities of life. 

Dad's Maybe Book
Welcome to the Club

Welcome to the Club

By Raquel D'Apice

Welcome to the Club offers a humorous and candid glimpse into realities of being a parent. With wit and unflinching honesty, D'Apice navigates the ups and downs of raising young children, inviting readers to laugh along with her as she recounts the joys, challenges, and unexpected surprises of motherhood.  

D’Apice captures the universal experiences of sleepless nights, temper tantrums, and diaper disasters. Whether she's sharing tips for surviving the playground or commiserating over the trials of potty training, D'Apice's style will create an instant connection with expecting or recent parents. 

Welcome to the Club

Featured image: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash