Advice is almost as common as having a baby. There are many places where you can get it: from books to friends to strangers. You can get it even if you don't ask. Some advice is focused on becoming a mother, like how to grow and have a baby, how to care for a baby, and how to be a good mother. But it takes two people to dance, and becoming a father is just as big of a change in your life. Often, soon-to-be dads don't know where to start.

Fortunately, there are a lot of books out there for fathers-to-be. What kind of book does your partner want? Whether he or she wants practical parenting advice, funny parenting advice, medical-based advice, or a wider economic look at how we parent, there's a book out there. These books range from funny to informative, so you're sure to find the right one for the father-to-be in your life.

Best New Dad Book for News Readers

‘Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting’ by Pamela Druckerman

Guy: The guy who reads the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal first thing in the morning will like Pamela Druckerman, who writes about raising a child. Because French kids sleep through the night after only a few months, this was part of a sociological study. The book isn't full of how-to parenting advice. Instead, it looks at French parenting and how it's different from American parenting. Informative, but not pushy. It's a good read for any soon-to-be parents who want to learn more about how to care for their babies.

Best New Dad Book for Birth Prep

‘The Birth Partner: A Complete Guide to Childbirth for Dads, Partners, Doulas, and All Other Labor Companions’ by Penny Simkin

Birthing may be a difficult task for the mother, but having a supportive partner there to help makes a big difference. This book, now in its fifth edition, talks about everything from medical and non-medical interventions for pain to C-sections, breastfeeding, and more. When he doesn't have to ask, he can be the helpful partner he wants to be.

Best New Dad Book for the Sports Lover

‘Dad's Playbook: Wisdom for Fathers from the Greatest Coaches of All Time’ by Tom Limbert

In his book on parenting, author and parenting expert Tom Limbert took over 100 quotes from the best coaches of all time, applied them to fatherhood, and made a book out of them all. There are words of wisdom from famous fathers like John Madden, Phil Jackson, Vince Lombardi, and many more in this book, which you can read.

Best New Dad Book for Baby’s Arrival

‘Your Baby’s First Word Will Be DADA’ by Jimmy Fallon

Simple children's book by Jimmy Fallon gives any new dad a reason to snuggle up with their child and read a book together. A new dad will have a lot of fun trying to teach baby animals and kids how to say "Dada." Your child will love all of the different animals.

Best Empowering New Dad Book

‘Hair Love’ by Matthew A. Cherry

This is how it works when a dad has to do his daughter's hair.

Ex-NFL wide receiver Matthew A. Cherry wrote this book about the special relationship between a Black father and daughter. It also has a powerful message about loving yourself and being happy with who you are. Cherry went on to direct a short film based on his heartwarming book, which won an Oscar in 2019.

Best Funny New Dad Book

‘Dad Is Fat’ by Jim Gaffigan

You'll laugh at Jim Gaffigan's jokes about parenting, from cousins to changing diapers in the middle of the night and bedtime fights. You'll also learn that humor and family can help you get through tough times.

Best New Dad Book for Practical Dads

‘The Baby Owner’s Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance’ by Louis and Joe Borgenicht

There are some people who say that babies don't come with a manual. This classic instructional book, written by a pediatrician and his son, comes pretty close to that. In this book, you learn how to deal with common parenting situations, like swaddling and knowing when to take your child to the doctor. It's funny, easy to read, and has useful advice for any dad-to-be.

Best New Dad Book for Encouragement

‘I Wonder: Celebrating Daddies Doin’ Work’ by Doyin Richards

You can get him this for Father's Day or for any new dad to tell him that he's doing great. In this book, this is for the dad who needs a little extra love. It helps dads see how they help their kids all the time, from cuddling and styling hair to looking under the bed for monsters. It also shows men how important and rewarding being a father is.

Best New Dad Book for Budding Economists

‘Love, Money, and Parenting: How Economics Explains the Way We Raise Our Kids’ by Matthias Doepke and Fabrizio Zilibotti

Economic experts Matthias Doepke and Fabrizio Zilibotti study how economic forces and income inequality affect the way kids are raised all over the world. They look into how these things affect the way kids are raised in different countries. Through their own stories and research, they say that in countries where there is more economic inequality, parents push their kids more. In countries where there is less economic inequality, parents are more relaxed. Even if you're worried about money or just want to know more about the bigger factors at play when it comes to parenting, this book has all the information you need.

Best New Dad Book for the Curious Dad-to-Be

‘The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be’ by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash

Everybody who has a role in a pregnancy can find it hard to understand, not just the person who is pregnant. When you're pregnant, this book gives you and your partner a month-by-month look at how you and your partner might be feeling emotionally and physically at any given time. This helps expectant dads adjust to having a baby on the way. There are also more recent editions that talk about adoption, infertility, and military dads. They also talk about the baby's first few months of life.

Best New Dad Book With Visuals

‘Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads’ by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden

 

There are tips for things like diaper changing and childproofing in the book Be Prepared that sound like you're going out for a beer with your friend. As long as you have a good eye for detail, this book will help you figure out what's going on in different situations and have a good laugh along the way.

Best New Dad Book for Football Fans

'The New Dad's Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life' by Benjamin Watson

If the new dad is a football fan, this book could help him get his head around the game. Bonus points if Dad is a Baltimore Ravens fan, because this book is written by a Ravens tight end. The New Dad's Playbook: How to Prepare for the Most Important Game of Your Life From when you are pregnant until your baby comes home, this is a guide for being a good partner and father. It's all about how to get ready for a win, while also making sure you're a good teammate to the person you play with (also known as your partner).

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