Books for dads to be

[thoseareradishes]

H mentioned he'd like a book or blog/website that would be good for him to read to help him prepare for the kiddo.  He's never taken care of a baby before.  He said he learns best by reading.  We're also going to take a class at the hospital, since it's been a while since I've taken care of a baby too.  Does anyone have any suggestions for reading material for him?  Thank you!

[pooh8402]

Let's put it this way... I could tell you the titles of the books that we got for DH to read, but I couldn't recommend them since he never read them, lol. He even had input on which books to get, so it's not like I just sprung books on him and said here, read this.

We didn't take classes either (I encouraged DH to come to the newborn care class I was teaching at the time, but that didn't happen either). He figured it out and now he's a wonderful father.

[grover]

H said he probably would never pick up any books. The one I got from my OBs office has a section for dads, but I don't think he read it. Instead, he attended the hospital class with me and in a few weeks will be going to the baby care class with me.

Check the local hospitals- the one we will be delivering at and well as the other local one has a for dads class that is only like 2 to 2.5 hours long where experienced dad's answer questions and give tips. H has no interest, hence why I signed us up for the other classes together.

[thoseareradishes]

pooh8402, I read him your response and he laughed and said, well, no guarantees that I'll read it cover to cover!

[pooh8402]

The Expectant Father, by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash. And there's a section for dads in What to Expect...

[loira]

My H read nothing, nor did he take any classes. I think we were both too scared. But he did just fine - better than fine, since he had to do everything except offer the boob while I was in hospital after my c-section. I do think reading a book is a great idea, but if your H doesn't get around to it, I'm sure he'll get the hang of baby care quickly.

[awick14]

Dh never read anything or went to any classes. He wasn't really interested in that sort of thing. BUT now that she's here he asks me all the questions, and he is very much learning as we go. (He's even been giving me a list of questions he has for my OB at baby's 1 month appointment on Tuesday. (He will be there with me so he will ask the questions, I am just keeping the list for safe keeping a, lol)

[Muddled]

I agree that the class was helpful to H. It eased his nerves quite a bit.

As for books, I gave him a baby instruction manual that was written like a car manual. I think he actually read it? I mainly gave it to him as a joke, but there was some decent info in there.

We also read from the pregnancy book together each week. "This week baby starts to grow fuzz on his face. Blah, blah, blah."

[cactuscookie]

We got this and both read the chapter for newborns: smile.amazon.com/Caring-Your-Baby-Young-Child/dp/0553393820/

[thoseareradishes]

Awesome, thanks guys! Muddled, I think I put that one on my amazon list