Nobody hands dads a manual. Your partner has 400 Instagram accounts, three apps, and a stack of books with titles like "Nurturing the Growing Spirit." You have Google and a vague sense of panic.
Most parenting books aren't written for dads. They're written for "parents" in a way that clearly means "moms." The ones below are different — they're either written specifically for dads or written in a way that respects your time and doesn't assume you need a lecture.
I read about 15 dad books before and after our first kid. Seven are worth your time. The rest are either too long, too preachy, or too obvious ("spend time with your kid!" — thanks, helpful).
The short answer
The Expectant Father by Armin Brott is the best pick for most dads. It covers pregnancy month by month from the dad's perspective. Medical stuff, emotional stuff, practical stuff. It's the most complete expecting-dad book and the one I recommend first.
If you want data-driven answers to the questions everyone argues about (sleep training, breastfeeding, screen time) — it's the most useful book for the first year, go with Cribsheet by Emily Oster.
Quick picks
| Book | Price | Stage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Expectant Father Top pick | $16 | Pregnancy | Month-by-month pregnancy guide for dads |
| Cribsheet | $15 | First year | Data-driven parenting decisions |
| The New Dad's Playbook | $14 | Pregnancy + early months | Quick, practical, no fluff |
| We're Pregnant! The First-Time Dad's Guide | $12 | Pregnancy | Easiest, fastest read |
| Dude, You're Gonna Be a Dad! | $14 | Pregnancy | Funny and honest |
| What to Expect When You're Expecting | $16 | Pregnancy | The comprehensive reference |
| All Joy and No Fun | $15 | Any stage | Understanding why parenting is hard |
The Expectant Father by Armin Brott
Best for: First-time dads who want a complete month-by-month pregnancy guide.
✓ Month-by-month format — read only what's relevant right now
✓ Covers the medical, emotional, and practical sides
✓ Updated regularly with current medical guidance
✓ Written by a dad, for dads
✓ Doesn't talk down to you
— Some sections feel dated in tone (book has been updated many times)
— Long — you won't read it cover to cover
— Focuses mainly on pregnancy, less on the first year
Best for: Parents who want data instead of opinions on controversial topics.
✓ Every recommendation is backed by actual research data
✓ Covers the controversial topics: sleep training, breastfeeding, vaccines, screen time
✓ Presents the data and lets you decide — not preachy
✓ Written by an economist, so the analysis is rigorous
— Not dad-specific — written for both parents
— Dense in places — it's an academic's writing style
— Some topics covered superficially
Best for: Dads who want a quick, practical guide without the fluff.
✓ Short — you can finish it in a weekend
✓ Written by a dad (former NFL player) with real experience
✓ Practical advice you can act on immediately
✓ Covers both the practical and emotional sides
— Some faith-based content (may or may not be relevant to you)
— Less medically detailed than The Expectant Father
— Focused more on mindset than logistics
Best for: Dads who want the fastest possible read.
✓ Under 200 pages — the shortest book on this list
✓ Week-by-week format with clear action items
✓ Great gift for dads who don't read much
✓ Affordable at $12
— Light on detail — some topics are glossed over
— Stops at birth (no first-year content)
— Can feel overly simplified for detail-oriented dads
When to read what
- When she's pregnant: Start with The Expectant Father or We're Pregnant. Read the chapter that matches your current month/trimester.
- Third trimester: Read The New Dad's Playbook. Short enough to finish before the due date.
- First month home: You won't read anything. Accept this. Bookmark Cribsheet for month 2.
- Months 2-6: Read Cribsheet when specific questions come up (sleep training, feeding, etc). Use it as a reference, not cover-to-cover.
Related: Need the full to-do list? See the New Dad Checklist. Looking for a gift for a new dad? These books pair perfectly with a new dad gift. And don't forget the apps that actually help new dads.
