“Books that support, guide, and prepare first-time fathers for the incredible journey ahead.”
Becoming a dad for the first time is life-changing. The mix of excitement, fear, love, and responsibility can be overwhelming. While babies don’t come with instruction manuals, the right books can help new dads feel more confident and supported on their parenting journey. Whether it’s understanding baby sleep patterns or building an emotional connection, books provide valuable insights that every first-time father deserves.
Looking for a meaningful way to support a new dad in your life? A good book can offer not just guidance but comfort, laughter, and reassurance. Whether he’s a reader or not, there’s a book out there that matches his vibe—serious, funny, or deeply emotional. These books make excellent gifts for Father’s Day, baby showers, or just because he’s about to enter a new phase of life.
In this post, we’ll share 15 of the best first-time father books, each offering unique advice, real-life stories, or simple, digestible tips. These books are written by dads, doctors, psychologists, and even comedians—so no matter the style, the knowledge is backed with heart and experience. Read on to discover the books that every new dad should have on his shelf.
1. The Expectant Father by Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash
- This book is often called the “dad’s pregnancy bible.”
- It guides new dads month-by-month through the pregnancy.
- Covers physical, emotional, and financial aspects.
- Written in simple and clear language.
- Offers real-life examples and scientific facts.
- Explains how the baby is growing each month.
- Prepares dads for labor and delivery.
- Includes financial planning and relationship advice.
- Great for both excited and nervous dads.
- Helps partners understand each other better.
- Written by a parenting expert and updated regularly.
- Easy to read with non-technical terms.
- Offers exercises and checklists.
- Ideal gift for a dad-to-be.
- A book that answers questions many dads are afraid to ask.
2. Dude, You’re Gonna Be a Dad! by John Pfeiffer
- This book adds humor to the dad journey.
- Written in a casual, conversational style.
- Focuses on emotional support and preparation.
- Gives practical steps for each stage of pregnancy.
- Offers tips to help dads support their partner.
- Breaks the fear around becoming a parent.
- Funny, honest, and easy to read.
- Not full of science—just real talk for real guys.
- Written by a husband and father.
- Helps dads feel calm and confident.
- Focuses more on mindset than medical info.
- Each chapter covers one major topic.
- Great for dads who don’t usually read.
- Easy to pick up anytime, even with a busy schedule.
- A light but very useful read.
3. We’re Pregnant! The First-Time Dad’s Pregnancy Handbook by Adrian Kulp
- A modern book designed for today’s new dad.
- Written by a dad who’s been through it all.
- Covers each pregnancy month in detail.
- Discusses what to expect and how to help.
- Offers planning tips for delivery and beyond.
- Great layout with checklists and bullet points.
- Encourages communication with your partner.
- Highlights emotional and mental changes in fathers.
- Funny and sincere at the same time.
- Offers real advice, not just textbook knowledge.
- Perfect for men who want to be active partners.
- Gives tips for preparing the house and nursery.
- Reminds dads they are important too.
- Highly rated by thousands of first-time dads.
- Encouraging and relatable from page one.
4. Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads by Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden
- A hands-on guide for the early baby days.
- Written with humor and illustrations.
- Full of charts, diagrams, and quick instructions.
- Great for learning baby basics like diapering.
- Helps new dads feel ready and capable.
- Includes emergency baby care tips.
- Gives advice in a funny but smart tone.
- Designed like a manual, perfect for guys.
- Easy to read in short bursts.
- Covers feeding, burping, and bath time.
- Encourages problem-solving and confidence.
- Great for dads who love visual learning.
- Teaches real-life, not just theories.
- Highly recommended by pediatricians.
- Practical and playful all in one.
5. The New Father by Armin A. Brott
- This is the follow-up to The Expectant Father.
- Focuses on the baby’s first year.
- Breaks each month down into what to expect.
- Offers developmental milestones and how to help.
- Talks about parenting roles and relationships.
- Includes info on sleep, feeding, and bonding.
- Encourages active parenting from day one.
- Helps dads understand baby behavior.
- Good for setting realistic expectations.
- Balanced with facts and emotional support.
- Easy to follow and engaging.
- Helps dads manage postpartum stress too.
- Offers advice on balancing work and family.
- Modern updates reflect today’s dads.
- Essential guide after the baby arrives.
6. The Baby Owner’s Manual by Louis Borgenicht and Joe Borgenicht
- Designed like a tech manual for dads.
- Funny but filled with real medical advice.
- Covers topics like sleep training and feeding.
- Uses diagrams and technical humor.
- Focused on birth to 1-year-old babies.
- Great for dads who like gadgets and logic.
- Written by a doctor and his son.
- Offers “troubleshooting tips” and care instructions.
- Turns parenting into step-by-step learning.
- Makes learning fun, not stressful.
- Helps dads feel in control.
- Quick to reference during baby emergencies.
- Ideal for geeky or analytical readers.
- A hit among first-time parents.
- Entertaining yet educational.
7. Welcome to Fatherhood by David Arrell
- Written with modern fatherhood in mind.
- Encourages emotional awareness and involvement.
- Offers advice on being a partner and parent.
- Talks openly about stress, fear, and change.
- Simple and encouraging tone.
- Helps dads take active roles in pregnancy.
- Discusses changing gender roles.
- Great for stay-at-home or working dads.
- Empowers men to embrace parenting.
- Balances emotional depth with humor.
- Includes real-life advice and relatable stories.
- Good for self-reflection and bonding.
- Helps dads feel seen and heard.
- Encourages long-term connection with children.
- Mindful and modern fathering advice.
8. Commando Dad by Neil Sinclair
- Written by a former commando turned dad.
- Offers parenting advice with military precision.
- Covers baby care in direct, no-fluff tone.
- Great for action-oriented dads.
- Step-by-step on feeding, diapering, and sleep.
- Uses fun army lingo to explain basics.
- Gives confidence to first-time dads.
- Very structured and practical.
- Good balance of discipline and care.
- Great gift for men with a military background.
- Focuses on being strong and supportive.
- Includes training tasks and missions.
- Simple layout and fast reading.
- Offers confidence, not confusion.
- A tactical guide to dad’s life.
9. Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Meg Meeker
- A must-read for dads of baby girls.
- Written by a pediatrician and parenting expert.
- Explores the impact dads have on daughters.
- Covers emotional growth and development.
- Talks about healthy boundaries and values.
- Encourages emotional connection and strength.
- Discusses long-term father-daughter bonds.
- Great for introspective and thoughtful dads.
- Inspires men to lead with love.
- Includes real-life stories and case studies.
- Offers long-term parenting goals.
- Motivates new dads to grow with their child.
- Highlights fatherhood as a leadership role.
- Written in clear, heartfelt language.
- Empowering and deeply emotional.
10. How to Raise Healthy and Happy Children by Jan Hunt
- This book promotes gentle parenting and emotional connection.
- Written by a well-known parenting counselor.
- Focuses on understanding the child’s feelings.
- Encourages empathy and bonding from day one.
- Great for dads who value emotional intelligence.
- Helps dads stay calm during stressful moments.
- Offers real-life examples and situations.
- Promotes positive discipline techniques.
- Supports strong family communication.
- Explains how early bonding affects future behavior.
- Good for first-time dads with sensitive or anxious babies.
- Focused on connection over control.
- Encourages listening and patient responses.
- Language is clear, gentle, and informative.
- Heartfelt and wise parenting guidance.
11. The Dad’s Edge by Larry Hagner
- More than a baby book—it’s about self-growth and parenting.
- Helps dads become stronger in all areas of life.
- Focuses on leadership, patience, and emotional strength.
- Great for men who want to grow with their kids.
- Talks about work-life balance.
- Motivates new dads to be better partners.
- Encourages daily improvement.
- Written in a positive and practical tone.
- Offers action steps at the end of each chapter.
- Perfect for first-time dads who want to thrive.
- Mix of parenting and personal development.
- Easy to read, even with a busy schedule.
- Includes inspiring stories from other dads.
- Reminds men their presence matters every day.
- Empowering and practical life guide for new fathers.
12. Dad’s Playbook: Wisdom for Fathers from the Greatest Coaches of All Time by Tom Limbert
- Combines sports wisdom with fatherhood advice.
- Uses quotes from famous coaches to inspire dads.
- Fun, motivational, and very different.
- Great for dads who love sports and teamwork.
- Encourages leadership and positive discipline.
- Short chapters with strong messages.
- Includes life lessons about consistency, effort, and love.
- Excellent for new dads who enjoy quick reads.
- Offers a unique perspective on raising children.
- Inspires dads to be present, strong, and fair.
- Quotes are powerful and relatable.
- Makes a thoughtful gift with a sporty twist.
- Helps dads stay grounded and focused.
- Reminds dads that coaching is a form of parenting.
- A sporty, inspiring take on fatherhood.
13. Fatherhood by William McKeen
- A deeply personal and touching memoir.
- Shares the author’s real experiences as a single dad.
- Honest about the struggles and joys.
- Written in a poetic and reflective tone.
- Offers inspiration for all types of fathers.
- Connects with dads on an emotional level.
- Helps new dads feel less alone.
- Encourages unconditional love and patience.
- Not a guide, but a mirror for dads’ hearts.
- Teaches lessons through storytelling.
- Great for men who appreciate literature.
- Shows fatherhood as a journey, not a task.
- Gentle but very impactful.
- Ideal for introspective or artistic readers.
- A soul-stirring book for new fathers.
14. The Fifth Trimester by Lauren Smith Brody
- While it focuses on working moms, it’s a must-read for supportive dads.
- Helps fathers understand postpartum challenges.
- Encourages teamwork at home after birth.
- Explains what partners go through emotionally and physically.
- Supports equal parenting roles.
- Encourages dads to share the load early on.
- Offers practical tips for home and work balance.
- Great for modern co-parenting.
- Promotes respect and communication.
- Makes dads more compassionate and present.
- Includes interviews with real parents.
- Encourages flexible thinking and shared duties.
- Prepares dads to support breastfeeding, night shifts, and recovery.
- Strengthens the couple’s bond.
- Empathetic and eye-opening perspective for new dads.
15. Parenting for Dads: The First-Time Dad’s Handbook by Thomas J. Harbin
- One of the most comprehensive books for new fathers.
- Written by a psychologist and experienced dad.
- Covers everything from baby care to emotional health.
- Encourages positive discipline and open communication.
- Great for dads looking for step-by-step guidance.
- Talks about relationships, stress, and father roles.
- Honest about the challenges and joys.
- Simple, clear advice in easy language.
- Practical examples throughout.
- Discusses how to raise kind, smart, confident kids.
- Focuses on how to manage personal growth as a father.
- Covers topics often left out, like dad guilt and pressure.
- Offers strong psychological insights.
- Perfect for the dad who wants to learn deeply.
- A thoughtful and intelligent read for first-time fathers.
FAQs About First-Time Dad Books
1. Are these books suitable for dads of all ages?
Yes! Whether you’re a young first-time father or becoming a dad later in life, these books offer guidance, support, and encouragement that apply to all age groups and lifestyles.
2. Do these books help with emotional preparation too?
Absolutely. Many of the books listed focus not only on practical baby care but also on emotional readiness, relationship building, and the mental challenges of new fatherhood.
3. Which book is best for a dad who doesn’t enjoy reading?
For dads who prefer simple, fun, or visual content, books like Be Prepared or The Baby Owner’s Manual offer quick, practical tips with humor and illustrations.
4. Can these books help improve relationships during pregnancy?
Yes, books like The Expectant Father and We’re Pregnant! provide tools to help dads support their partner, understand emotional changes, and strengthen the bond during this journey.
5. Is there a book that focuses more on daughters?
Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters is a powerful, emotionally rich read that offers valuable advice for raising daughters with love, leadership, and trust.
Conclusion: Becoming a Confident First-Time Father
Fatherhood begins long before the baby arrives. It starts with love, commitment, and the desire to learn. And in this journey, books are powerful companions. They help men feel less alone, more prepared, and better equipped to handle the incredible transformation ahead.
Whether it’s a practical guide, a heartfelt memoir, or a laugh-out-loud manual, each of these first-time father books plays a role in shaping stronger, more compassionate dads. They remind new fathers that it’s okay to feel uncertain—and that seeking help, reading, and growing are signs of strength.
So if you or someone you love is about to become a father, consider gifting one of these books. Because sometimes, the right words at the right time can make all the difference in building a confident, caring, and connected dad.
