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Quick answer: The best books on new dads include The Expectant Father, The New Father, Be Prepared, Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!, Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies and Expecting Better. Start with The Expectant Father, Be Prepared or Cribsheet, and read The Happiest Baby on the Block for soothing tools.
If you feel persistently sad, anxious or overwhelmed after becoming a parent, talk to a doctor. In the United States, call or text 988 in a crisis.
Becoming a father is one of life’s biggest changes, and many new dads feel unprepared, left out or unsure how to help. Research shows that involved fathers benefit children, partners and themselves, and that learning practical skills early builds confidence. The books in this list cover pregnancy, birth, newborn care and the emotional shifts of new parenthood, from a dad’s perspective. Some are funny and informal, others based on research, and a few are about mental health, since fathers can also experience postpartum depression and anxiety. Read one before the baby arrives, keep another on the nightstand and share what you learn with your partner. Support each other, and be patient with yourself as you learn.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Stage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Expectant Father | Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash | Pregnancy | first-time dads |
| The New Father | Armin A. Brott | First year | new dads |
| Be Prepared | Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden | Practical | dads who like checklists |
| Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! | John Pfeiffer | Humor | dads who like humor |
| Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies | Matthew M. F. Miller and Sharon Perkins | Pregnancy | dads who want basics |
| Expecting Better | Emily Oster | Evidence | couples who like data |
| Cribsheet | Emily Oster | Evidence | parents of babies |
| The Happiest Baby on the Block | Harvey Karp | Soothing | dads of fussy babies |
| The Whole-Brain Child | Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson | Brain science | dads with older babies and toddlers |
| Bringing Up Bébé | Pamela Druckerman | Culture | parents who like cultural comparisons |
| Operating Instructions | Anne Lamott | Memoir | readers who like humor and honesty |
| Hold Me Tight | Sue Johnson | Couples | parents protecting their relationship |
| How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids | Jancee Dunn | Couples | parents managing resentment |
| The Gift of Failure | Jessica Lahey | Independence | dads thinking ahead |
| Goodnight Moon | Margaret Wise Brown | Picture book | dads who want to read to baby |
1. The Expectant Father by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
Month-by-month advice for fathers-to-be on physical and emotional changes, support and preparing for birth.
Best for: first-time dads.
2. The New Father by Armin A. Brott
A month-by-month guide for fathers in the first year, covering bonding, relationships and practical tasks.
Best for: new dads.
3. Be Prepared by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden
A practical guide with humor, covering hospital bags, baby gear and delivery room tips.
Best for: dads who like checklists.
4. Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! by John Pfeiffer
A funny guide through pregnancy and early parenthood with a dude-friendly tone.
Best for: dads who like humor.
5. Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies by Matthew M. F. Miller and Sharon Perkins
A clear reference covering pregnancy, birth and the first weeks.
Best for: dads who want basics.
6. Expecting Better by Emily Oster
An economist reviews research on pregnancy recommendations, helping readers make informed choices.
Best for: couples who like data.
7. Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Applies data to decisions about feeding, sleep and childcare. Reassuring.
Best for: parents of babies.
8. The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp
Karp’s five S’s calm crying babies. Popular and practical.
Best for: dads of fussy babies.
9. The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Explains how children’s brains develop and how to respond to big feelings.
Best for: dads with older babies and toddlers.
10. Bringing Up Bébé by Pamela Druckerman
An American mother in Paris explores French parenting.
Best for: parents who like cultural comparisons.
11. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott
A mother’s honest, funny journal of her son’s first year. Gives a window into early parenthood.
Best for: readers who like humor and honesty.
12. Hold Me Tight by Sue Johnson
Seven conversations to deepen connection.
Best for: parents protecting their relationship.
13. How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn
Funny advice on chores and communication. Written for moms but useful for dads.
Best for: parents managing resentment.
14. The Gift of Failure by Jessica Lahey
Encourages letting kids struggle.
Best for: dads thinking ahead.
15. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
A soothing bedtime classic.
Best for: dads who want to read to baby.
How to Choose the Right Book on New Dads
Choose by stage. During pregnancy, The Expectant Father, Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies, Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! and Be Prepared explain what to expect. For evidence-based decisions, Expecting Better and Cribsheet help. For newborn care, The New Father and The Happiest Baby on the Block are practical. For relationships and parenting philosophy, The Whole-Brain Child and Hold Me Tight are helpful. For a laugh and perspective, Operating Instructions gives a parent’s view of the first year. Share the books with your partner.
Which Book Should You Start With? A Quick Guide
If you are not sure where to begin, match your situation to the list below.
- First-time dads: The Expectant Father
- New dads: The New Father
- Dads who like checklists: Be Prepared
- Dads who like humor: Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad!
- Dads who want basics: Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy for Dummies
- Couples who like data: Expecting Better
- Parents of babies: Cribsheet
- Dads of fussy babies: The Happiest Baby on the Block
- Dads with older babies and toddlers: The Whole-Brain Child
- Parents who like cultural comparisons: Bringing Up Bébé
- Readers who like humor and honesty: Operating Instructions
- Parents protecting their relationship: Hold Me Tight
- Parents managing resentment: How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids
- Dads thinking ahead: The Gift of Failure
- Dads who want to read to baby: Goodnight Moon
A Simple Reading Plan
A reading plan works better than a stack of good intentions. Begin with The Expectant Father, which is the easiest way into new dads, and give it two weeks at ten to twenty pages a day. When you finish, spend five minutes writing down the one idea you want to try. Then move to The New Father, and only after that to Be Prepared or a title that is denser. Mixing formats helps: read one book on paper, listen to another on a walk and keep a third on your phone for waiting rooms. If a book is not helping after fifty pages, put it down without guilt and try the next one, because the right book at the right time matters more than finishing every one.
Print, E-Book or Audiobook?
You do not have to pick one format. For a book on new dads, listen to the audiobook while walking or driving, and keep the paper or e-book handy for the chapters you want to study. Reading and listening together can improve retention, since you hear the author’s voice and see the structure on the page. Library apps lend all three formats free, and used paperbacks are inexpensive. If your attention drifts with long audio sessions, try 1.25x speed for an easy book and normal speed for a dense one. Choose whatever makes it easiest to read a little every day.
How to Get More From What You Read
Reading is the first step, and practice is the second. For each book on new dads, choose one idea that fits your life and schedule it, whether it is a ten-minute exercise, a conversation or a habit. Write it where you will see it, such as on a sticky note or in your calendar. After two weeks, ask what worked and what did not, and adjust. Sharing your progress with a friend adds accountability. If a book offers exercises, do them with a pencil instead of skipping to the next chapter, because the exercises are where most of the value lies.
Reading on a Budget
Reading about new dads does not have to be expensive. Start at the library, where print books, e-books and audiobooks are free with a card and a hold list, and ask the librarian for related titles. Secondhand bookstores and online used sellers keep prices low, and older editions are usually just as good as new ones. Watch for e-book sales, and borrow a title before buying it to be sure it suits you. When a book becomes a favorite, buy a copy for your shelf so you can reread and annotate it.
Talk About What You Read
Talking about what you read turns information into understanding. After each book on new dads, tell someone one thing you learned, even if it is just a five-minute chat over dinner. Post a short review for other readers, which forces you to organize your thoughts. If a book raises difficult feelings, share them with a trusted friend or counselor instead of carrying them alone. And if you disagree with an author, say so; thoughtful disagreement is part of learning, and it sharpens your own view.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Readers often make a few predictable mistakes with books on new dads. The first is reading too many at once and finishing none, so stick with one or two at a time. The second is looking for a perfect answer, when most authors offer ideas to test, not rules to follow. The third is skipping the exercises or reflection questions, which are often the most useful parts. The fourth is comparing yourself with the author’s success story. Finally, do not treat a book as a substitute for support from people who know you. Use books as one tool among several, and be kind to yourself when progress is slow.
How to Judge a Book on New dads
Not every book on new dads is equally reliable. Before you trust one, check the author’s background: are they a researcher, clinician, journalist or someone writing from lived experience? Each can be valuable, but they offer different things. Look for notes and references at the back, which show the claims can be checked. Be wary of books that promise a quick fix, rely on a single story or dismiss all other views. Read a few reviews from people with different perspectives, and treat bold claims as hypotheses to test in your own life. A good book invites questions instead of demanding agreement.
When Reading Is Not Enough
Reading can illuminate and encourage, yet some situations need more than a book. If you notice that your struggles with new dads are getting worse, lasting a long time or affecting your health, reach out to a professional you trust. Local libraries, community centers and workplaces often offer free resources, classes or referrals. Sharing what you are reading with a friend can open the door to a supportive conversation. Use these books as companions on the journey, and let real people walk it with you.
Questions to Reflect On
Keep these in a notebook and return to them after each book:
- What do I most want to understand or change about {t}?
- Which idea from my reading feels true for me, and which do I doubt?
- What is one small action I can take this week?
- Who could I talk to about what I am learning?
- How will I know in a month that this reading helped?
Tips for Reading About New dads
- Show up. Be present at appointments and in the hospital.
- Learn the skills. Practice diapering and soothing.
- Take paternity leave. Time at home builds bonds.
- Talk to your partner. Share fears and needs.
- Watch your mental health. Dads can have postpartum depression too.
Related: 15 Best Books to Read Before Getting Married and atomic Habits Summary and Key Takeaways.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book for new dads?
The Expectant Father and Be Prepared are popular, and Cribsheet is great for data-driven choices.
Can dads get postpartum depression?
Yes. If you feel persistently sad, anxious or detached, talk to a doctor. In the United States you can call or text 988 in a crisis.
How can I bond with my newborn?
Hold, talk, sing, change diapers and take over baths and soothing.
How many books on new dads should I read at once?
One or two at a time is plenty. Finish a book, try one idea from it and then move on, so what you read turns into something you do.
Are these books on new dads available as audiobooks?
Most of them are. Check your library’s app, such as Libby, or an audiobook service, and listen to a sample to see whether the narrator suits you.