Books for DH on fatherhood?

[gherkins]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone could recommend any books for DH to read on becoming a Dad. We're expecting our first in January and while excited, he is also nervous about what to expect from it all. In fact, to quote directly, he says he 'needs some instructions'

Anything that covers late pregnancy, labour & recovery, and say the first year or two of a baby's life.

DH is in his late 30s, so we're not looking for anything too laddish or 'Loaded' stylee - just something that combines practical tips on what to do & expect, along with a bit of humour would be great.

Any help with some recommendations would be FAB!

Thanks all.
Gherkins

DH found this book by Jeff Green quite amusing, though it's not particularly practical, just funny.

Thanks Dueling - checked it out on Amazon and it looks like it definitely ticks the humour box! I guess I could always get a funny one like this, and then another with more hands-on advice...

I bought Fatherhood:The Truth Marcus Berkmann for my DH.

Its a very good balance of practical advice and humour. It made us both laugh out loud on many occasions.

My friend bought my hubby the Haynes Manual - Babies conception to Two. He loved it.
It's in the style of those car maintenance manuals. It may appear frivolous but it is actually really informative.

www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Manual-Conception-Haynes-Workshop/dp/1844257592/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1287434914&sr=1-1

I also gave my hubby the Haynes Baby Manual (have been reading it myself as well!), and it seems really good.

I bought this for my DH. He seems to approve of it because he has read the whole thing! Our baby is due on Saturday (so I can't yet tell you if it's any good!) and I am slightly concerned for her - there is a 2.5 page table of tests in the book which DH has shown me which you can do for reflexes. I have feeling she is going to be subjected to experiments! Honestly though, it does seem to be a sensible book - and we'll see how we get on. D day is close and

Congratulations!

My DH liked books with pictues of the development. Hamlyn Health's Your Pregnancy Week by Week was good, picked it up at an NCT sale.

Which are very handy to have a pick up and flick, alternatively try the waterstones pregnancy or health section for ideas. eBay is really handy to pick up reasonably priced second hand books.

DH also found that the first time parent handbook by Lucy Atkins was eye opening, it was honest which was good for him, not avoiding anything meant that he could clearly understand the process and what joys to look forward to.

Some of the man books are more amusing than sensible, my DH wants to know the whole truth [shmg] and make his decisions from there. Lucy Atkins book was quite direct about the horrors and joys of birth to 3, if you think of it like you best friend who's been there are done it, but giving you advice. It was given to us by friends who had their first child without family around them or friends that had already done it so thought it was a good honest guide.

i second the marcus berkman one, i read it too, i laughed out loud.

Oooh haven't been able to log on for a few days, and have come back to all these great suggestions - thanks so much ladies!

Will certainly be giving them a try.

Thanks for all the tips.

KFW - good luck with the imminent birth !!

Also, The Birth Partner, by Penny Simkin - it's mostly focused on the birth itself, as you'd expect, but also on late pregnancy and early days. (Expecting our first in January too, so can't say if it's been useful yet - but it feels very informative anyway...)

I couldn't get on with the Haynes Baby Manual at first - primarily because I didn't realise it was aimed at men (I just liked the idea of a no nonsense type guide!) and took against it for that reason - but I will add another vote for it - it does contain what looks like a lot of good information.

Don't be tempted by 'You're Pregnant too mate' - a friend lent us this, and it is appalling!

Likens everything including sex to driving a car...

If he's the sort of bloke who likes to understand who things work I can recommend The Vistor Within : The Science of Pregnancy. It is a science book but is very readable.

I've also enjoyed reading my DW's copies of Kaz Cooke's books.

Hello all.

Just in case you log back into this, gherkins, I thought I'd let you know that our DD arrived on 28 October. She is totally delicious - of relevance to this thread though is the fact that DH got the book out again. He has been looking up all sorts of things in it for these early days and it is definitely useful. And before you ask - yes he has been testing out her reflexes. He declares her normal. - in fact he thinks that she is "advanced" but I think that that is just fatherly pride rather than based on any fact or reference to the book!

Hope you are doing well and looking forward to your new arrival. You are in for an incredible, magical experience!

KFW - aaawwwww! CONGRATULATIONS on your new arrival!

You must be thrilled.

Bought the book you recommended on Amazon (it's taking a while to arrive as we're overseas), as well as a couple of others, so thanks to everyone for all the good advice.

Hope I'm feeling as chirpy and relaxed as you come January! It's good to hear.

Huge congrats again
x

If he'd prefer a blog, hisboyscanswim.com usually makes me laugh and seems fairly accurate (well, from my pov, being a pg female!). Helped DH see where I'm coming from sometimes.

Both me and my DH found this book really good as you don't have to read it in one big block, and it was really helpful at ten at night when we were thinking "is that normal or should we panic". I bought a couple of books and this is the only one I'd read again this time round.