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The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be
The fourth edition of this best-selling, ground-breaking, information-packed guide for dads-to-be is now significantly, updated, revised, and expanded.
We are expecting! The twentieth-anniversary edition of this thoroughly updated and revised parenting classic remains the most informative and reassuring book for expectant fathers everywhere. In addition to sharing the wisdom of the ages, Armin A. Brott, Mr. Dad, presents new insight into the emotional, financial, and physical—yes, physical—effects of impending parenthood on men. Thanks to this handy reference moms-to-be will know their partner understands and supports them during this anxious and exciting time, and that he has all the tools he needs to be a fantastic, hands-on dad.
This information-packed, month-by-month guide incorporates the expertise of top practitioners in their fields, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists. It also draws from Brott’s own experience as a father of three and from the real-world experiences of the thousands of dads he’s interviewed. With the humor of New Yorker cartoons and Brott’s gentle approach, The Expectant Father serves as a friendly and readable companion for dads-to-be seeking confidence, guidance, and joy!
What’s new in this edition of The Expectant Father?
• The latest health and safety info
• How technology is changing fatherhood
• How men's brains change by being involved during pregnancy
• Society’s shifting expectations for dads
• The amazing effects on children when fathers are active partners before birth
• How pre-birth participation makes dads more likely to be active parents post-birth
• Updated resources
. . . and new research on the big questions that haven't changed much over the years:
• Am I really ready to be a dad?
• How are we going to afford this? How do I balance work and family?
• Will I be able to handle labor and delivery while being there for my partner? What if something goes wrong?
• How will this affect my relationship with my partner?
• Will we ever have sex again?
• What am I supposed to do with a new baby?
• How can I be a good dad?
• Will I ever see my friends again or have any time to myself?
We are expecting! The twentieth-anniversary edition of this thoroughly updated and revised parenting classic remains the most informative and reassuring book for expectant fathers everywhere. In addition to sharing the wisdom of the ages, Armin A. Brott, Mr. Dad, presents new insight into the emotional, financial, and physical—yes, physical—effects of impending parenthood on men. Thanks to this handy reference moms-to-be will know their partner understands and supports them during this anxious and exciting time, and that he has all the tools he needs to be a fantastic, hands-on dad.
This information-packed, month-by-month guide incorporates the expertise of top practitioners in their fields, from obstetricians and birth-class instructors to psychologists and sociologists. It also draws from Brott’s own experience as a father of three and from the real-world experiences of the thousands of dads he’s interviewed. With the humor of New Yorker cartoons and Brott’s gentle approach, The Expectant Father serves as a friendly and readable companion for dads-to-be seeking confidence, guidance, and joy!
What’s new in this edition of The Expectant Father?
• The latest health and safety info
• How technology is changing fatherhood
• How men's brains change by being involved during pregnancy
• Society’s shifting expectations for dads
• The amazing effects on children when fathers are active partners before birth
• How pre-birth participation makes dads more likely to be active parents post-birth
• Updated resources
. . . and new research on the big questions that haven't changed much over the years:
• Am I really ready to be a dad?
• How are we going to afford this? How do I balance work and family?
• Will I be able to handle labor and delivery while being there for my partner? What if something goes wrong?
• How will this affect my relationship with my partner?
• Will we ever have sex again?
• What am I supposed to do with a new baby?
• How can I be a good dad?
• Will I ever see my friends again or have any time to myself?
338 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 433 reviews
April 4, 2019
So we've got a baby due in the heat of summer. I was planning on winging it, reasoning that people have been having babies for decades now without reading a book first, but my wife handed me this and I knew better than to argue.
The Expect Father is written with the dad in mind, obviously. It's laid out month by month, noting what the baby is experiencing, what the mother is experiencing, and what the father should probably be thinking, feeling, and doing.
Brott dispenses some good advice and also brings up things I wouldn't have considered. He also jabbed me in the chest and reminded me how much stuff my wife and I still have to buy before Miles arrives. Fingers crossed for that 7/31 delivery date!
There is a lot of useful information here but also a lot of crazy shit people don't normally talk about, like some babies being born hairy and sparks shooting out of diapers because of static electricity, which is the stuff I mentioned every time my wife asked me how my reading was going.
I feel a little more prepared in having read this, which I'm sure will evaporate once the baby makes landfall. 4 out of 5 stars.
The Expect Father is written with the dad in mind, obviously. It's laid out month by month, noting what the baby is experiencing, what the mother is experiencing, and what the father should probably be thinking, feeling, and doing.
Brott dispenses some good advice and also brings up things I wouldn't have considered. He also jabbed me in the chest and reminded me how much stuff my wife and I still have to buy before Miles arrives. Fingers crossed for that 7/31 delivery date!
There is a lot of useful information here but also a lot of crazy shit people don't normally talk about, like some babies being born hairy and sparks shooting out of diapers because of static electricity, which is the stuff I mentioned every time my wife asked me how my reading was going.
I feel a little more prepared in having read this, which I'm sure will evaporate once the baby makes landfall. 4 out of 5 stars.
June 8, 2017
I bought this book for my husband to read as we're expecting our first baby. We both read it. I found it generic, he found it insulting and humorous.
Here are some of his favorite tips for dads:
--If you need a break because you're overwhelmed by your wife's pregnancy and emotional state, take a break from her. Go to the beach. Take a vacation on your own. (This will probably become one of the many in-jokes in our pregnancy.)
--You're a hero if you go to the doctor's appointments with her. (When we went to our first appointment, every pregnant woman had their SO with them.)
--Your pain can be just as difficult as hers, because you can experience the same difficulties as she due to empathy. (More belly laughs from him about this one, especially after I throw up!)
Frankly, my husband found the book insulting. He's very clever, and he's a feminist. He doesn't need platitudes and the casual sexism that says 'you're a male hero for doing the things that you should be doing.' When I asked for his review, he merely said "terrible."
I also read this book, and found the information to be pretty generic, and easily found online. I agree that it'd be nice if there were a book for dads, but it needs to be researched and informed and to treat parents with respect.
Another pregnancy book without sources, by the way.
Here are some of his favorite tips for dads:
--If you need a break because you're overwhelmed by your wife's pregnancy and emotional state, take a break from her. Go to the beach. Take a vacation on your own. (This will probably become one of the many in-jokes in our pregnancy.)
--You're a hero if you go to the doctor's appointments with her. (When we went to our first appointment, every pregnant woman had their SO with them.)
--Your pain can be just as difficult as hers, because you can experience the same difficulties as she due to empathy. (More belly laughs from him about this one, especially after I throw up!)
Frankly, my husband found the book insulting. He's very clever, and he's a feminist. He doesn't need platitudes and the casual sexism that says 'you're a male hero for doing the things that you should be doing.' When I asked for his review, he merely said "terrible."
I also read this book, and found the information to be pretty generic, and easily found online. I agree that it'd be nice if there were a book for dads, but it needs to be researched and informed and to treat parents with respect.
Another pregnancy book without sources, by the way.
January 13, 2009
Kind of a lot of extraneous information gets in the way of what should be a much shorter book. This book insulted my intelligence. I guess this wasn't really what I was looking for. It's too broad to be of any real use to me. I much prefer brief, no-bullshit specific advice on things that are not subjective. This just came across as a really well-meaning collection of good things which don't really match up with each other. Who wants to sift through that? Especially new fathers or fathers to be. Boo, hiss.
November 3, 2013
So, it’s the big day. My wife and I are going to the hospital to be admitted, and in a few short hours (hopefully) we will be delivering a healthy baby girl into the world, and I have to say that I’m much less nervous than I would have been had I not read Armin A. Brott and Jennifer Ash’s excellent daddy-to-be prep guidebook “The Expectant Father”.
I’m still nervous, of course, but many of my fears and confusions have been allayed somewhat by the thorough and straightforward research done by Brott and Ash. Brott is, according to his bio, a “nationally recognized parenting expert”. He also has a nationally syndicated newspaper column called “Ask Mr. Dad” and is the host of a weekly talk show about parenting.
For all I know or care, Brott could really be a WWE wrestler and a part-time janitor, but his book comes across like it’s written by a guy who definitely knows a thing or two about parenting from the father’s perspective.
To hear stories from my father’s generation, books like this---targeted towards dads BY dads---were practically unheard of. Most dads of my parents’ generation never had the pleasure of being in the same room with their wives as she gave birth, let alone caring whether he knew how to hold the baby or change their diapers. Times have changed, and I happen to think it’s for the better.
I think it’s vitally important that fathers have more of a say and a role in their child’s upbringing. I also think it’s annoying how TV and movies and the media in general have portrayed most fathers as dim-witted, lazy, or altogether absent in the lives of their own children. Societal views of fathers are generally pretty negative, and perhaps there is some justification, but there is a growing number of men like myself who actually WANT to play as important a role, if not moreso, than the mother’s.
Kudos to Brott for writing a book that doesn’t second-guess whether the new father reading his book is reading it because he WANTS to and not because his wife made him read it. Indeed, Brott assumes that the father has as many, if not more, worries and questions (and duties) than the expectant mother. Pregnancy is just as rough (mentally and spiritually, at least) on the daddy-to-be. Physically, too, if one counts the many couvade symptoms (sympathy pains) that a father can succumb to... and I did.
The nice thing about Brott’s book is that it is less daunting than the Bible of Pregnancy/Childcare, “Know What to Expect When You’re Expecting”.
I’ll be honest, I barely skimmed that enormous tome with its double columned pages and small font and endless FAQs that really just succeeded in making me worry about shit that I probably won’t ever have to worry about.
Brott’s book is written for the average guy. Each major chapter deals with one month of the pregnancy, and within each chapter are short to-the-point sections about anything and everything that you, your wife, and the baby is going through via bullet points, lists, and definitions of terms that you’ll definitely be hearing a lot. (I now know everything there is to know about episiotomies, Braxton-Hicks, colostrum, dilation, and the cervix, so thank you for that, Mr. Brott.) There’s also a nice selection of illustrations, charts, and appropriate cartoons. Every expectant father needs some comic relief, too.
Clearly, much research (above Brott’s own personal experiences as a father) went into this book, as evident in the lengthy Appendices, 15-page bibliography, six pages of online resources, and Index at the end of the book.
Most importantly, Brott never talks down to the expectant father. He’s been there himself, so he knows what it’s like to see weird glances from people (mostly women) who may be unaccustomed to (or indoctrinated by society to think it’s unusual or disturbing) seeing fathers pushing carriages or changing diapers or playing with their kids at playgrounds. Brott has written an intelligent, serious, and immensely readable resource for new fathers.
I highly recommend this book for any new dad.
I’m still nervous, of course, but many of my fears and confusions have been allayed somewhat by the thorough and straightforward research done by Brott and Ash. Brott is, according to his bio, a “nationally recognized parenting expert”. He also has a nationally syndicated newspaper column called “Ask Mr. Dad” and is the host of a weekly talk show about parenting.
For all I know or care, Brott could really be a WWE wrestler and a part-time janitor, but his book comes across like it’s written by a guy who definitely knows a thing or two about parenting from the father’s perspective.
To hear stories from my father’s generation, books like this---targeted towards dads BY dads---were practically unheard of. Most dads of my parents’ generation never had the pleasure of being in the same room with their wives as she gave birth, let alone caring whether he knew how to hold the baby or change their diapers. Times have changed, and I happen to think it’s for the better.
I think it’s vitally important that fathers have more of a say and a role in their child’s upbringing. I also think it’s annoying how TV and movies and the media in general have portrayed most fathers as dim-witted, lazy, or altogether absent in the lives of their own children. Societal views of fathers are generally pretty negative, and perhaps there is some justification, but there is a growing number of men like myself who actually WANT to play as important a role, if not moreso, than the mother’s.
Kudos to Brott for writing a book that doesn’t second-guess whether the new father reading his book is reading it because he WANTS to and not because his wife made him read it. Indeed, Brott assumes that the father has as many, if not more, worries and questions (and duties) than the expectant mother. Pregnancy is just as rough (mentally and spiritually, at least) on the daddy-to-be. Physically, too, if one counts the many couvade symptoms (sympathy pains) that a father can succumb to... and I did.
The nice thing about Brott’s book is that it is less daunting than the Bible of Pregnancy/Childcare, “Know What to Expect When You’re Expecting”.
I’ll be honest, I barely skimmed that enormous tome with its double columned pages and small font and endless FAQs that really just succeeded in making me worry about shit that I probably won’t ever have to worry about.
Brott’s book is written for the average guy. Each major chapter deals with one month of the pregnancy, and within each chapter are short to-the-point sections about anything and everything that you, your wife, and the baby is going through via bullet points, lists, and definitions of terms that you’ll definitely be hearing a lot. (I now know everything there is to know about episiotomies, Braxton-Hicks, colostrum, dilation, and the cervix, so thank you for that, Mr. Brott.) There’s also a nice selection of illustrations, charts, and appropriate cartoons. Every expectant father needs some comic relief, too.
Clearly, much research (above Brott’s own personal experiences as a father) went into this book, as evident in the lengthy Appendices, 15-page bibliography, six pages of online resources, and Index at the end of the book.
Most importantly, Brott never talks down to the expectant father. He’s been there himself, so he knows what it’s like to see weird glances from people (mostly women) who may be unaccustomed to (or indoctrinated by society to think it’s unusual or disturbing) seeing fathers pushing carriages or changing diapers or playing with their kids at playgrounds. Brott has written an intelligent, serious, and immensely readable resource for new fathers.
I highly recommend this book for any new dad.
August 19, 2015
3.5 stars.
This book was pretty helpful overall, with a lot of passages I ended up highlighting (e.g. "list of questions for your pediatrician"). The structure is good, with a chapter per month and listings of physical conditions and emotions you & your partner might be experiencing. A lot of it has lined up with what we've experienced so far! It helps to know what we can anticipate in the coming months.
I think this book would be much improved if the information about the individual stages of pregnancy was backed by more rigorous research. As it is, there is a some of dubious information reported (which turned out not to be true after some Googling). The author does have a list of citations at the end of the book, but they're not referenced in context, so it's hard to know what to believe sometimes.
Overall, it seems like a good overview and definitely contains useful information for new fathers, but you'll want to supplement with other sources as well.
This book was pretty helpful overall, with a lot of passages I ended up highlighting (e.g. "list of questions for your pediatrician"). The structure is good, with a chapter per month and listings of physical conditions and emotions you & your partner might be experiencing. A lot of it has lined up with what we've experienced so far! It helps to know what we can anticipate in the coming months.
I think this book would be much improved if the information about the individual stages of pregnancy was backed by more rigorous research. As it is, there is a some of dubious information reported (which turned out not to be true after some Googling). The author does have a list of citations at the end of the book, but they're not referenced in context, so it's hard to know what to believe sometimes.
Overall, it seems like a good overview and definitely contains useful information for new fathers, but you'll want to supplement with other sources as well.
Read
August 10, 2008When you’re having a baby, almost everyone whose had one has some advice for you, whether you want it or not. Unfortunately, it’s still considered rude in our society to tell those people to shut up.
This book is kind of like that. It’s more or less one person’s opinions and experience with a few studies thrown in. The difference between this and some lady you see at a restaurant is that you can tell the book to shut up.
I ended up skimming quite a bit of the book (Is it bad that I skipped the “what to do if you have to deliver the baby yourself” portion?). It isn’t that the information isn’t helpful, it’s just not very helpful, and, for the most part, it’s kind of outdated. The book is written in a world without digital cameras, DVDs or iPods, so I’m forced to question how up to date the baby information is. For instance, the author makes frequent references to a “vagina.” I don’t even know what that is, and I went to Law School.
The most helpful parts of this book are descriptions of what is going on with the mother both physically and mentally, as well as what most fathers can expect to feel like at specific parts of the pregnancy. It also has some helpful information on what the father’s role should be. Not surprisingly, it’s not pissing off the mother, and not breaking the baby.
The end of the book is a chapter on fatherhood roles in society, and the author seems very passionate about encouraging new father’s to challenge some outdated notions of the father being the outsider in the parent child relationship. This, I fully support. Which is why I’m going to be entering myself and LB into a Mother/Baby beauty pageant next year. Wish us luck!
This book is kind of like that. It’s more or less one person’s opinions and experience with a few studies thrown in. The difference between this and some lady you see at a restaurant is that you can tell the book to shut up.
I ended up skimming quite a bit of the book (Is it bad that I skipped the “what to do if you have to deliver the baby yourself” portion?). It isn’t that the information isn’t helpful, it’s just not very helpful, and, for the most part, it’s kind of outdated. The book is written in a world without digital cameras, DVDs or iPods, so I’m forced to question how up to date the baby information is. For instance, the author makes frequent references to a “vagina.” I don’t even know what that is, and I went to Law School.
The most helpful parts of this book are descriptions of what is going on with the mother both physically and mentally, as well as what most fathers can expect to feel like at specific parts of the pregnancy. It also has some helpful information on what the father’s role should be. Not surprisingly, it’s not pissing off the mother, and not breaking the baby.
The end of the book is a chapter on fatherhood roles in society, and the author seems very passionate about encouraging new father’s to challenge some outdated notions of the father being the outsider in the parent child relationship. This, I fully support. Which is why I’m going to be entering myself and LB into a Mother/Baby beauty pageant next year. Wish us luck!
February 18, 2019
A very good overview for first time dads. I think it's hard to cover this much info and keep the pace moving along but they did it. However, it loses a star for being a little too focused on just mainstream viewpoints. My wife and I were going through a birth center so there was a lot of info that could have been adjusted. A second huge star is taken away for the condescending tone towards men. In every section there was some kind of statement equivalent to, "don't forget to be a caring person and support your significant other." I know this is a massive issue among men, but I am not one of those men that went in to pregnancy unprepared to do my part. The phrasing should have been, "since you want to be there for your significant other, here is what you can do." I think assuming the best out of your reader would go a lot further toward helping him rise to this great occasion.
June 11, 2019
It was nice to read something directed towards fathers and get some encouragement (I don't think my midwife has even made eye contact with me yet).
But there was a lot of bad statistics (so much correlation != causation) and self-promotion for other books and websites.
But there was a lot of bad statistics (so much correlation != causation) and self-promotion for other books and websites.
July 26, 2018
When I first became a father to the daughters in my pictures, this book was instrumental in my learning journey. It was enlightening and surprising. I didn't realize how much about the whole process that I didn't know. I had grown up around kids my whole life but I was a complete newbie when it came to babies.
October 22, 2019
I'm reading this alongside What to Expect When You're Expecting for a more comprehensive view. So far, it's very similar in content to that book, but with a fatherly slant to it. All in all, it met my expectations and will be reading the next in the series.
June 8, 2015
I bought this for my husband, but wound up really enjoying it for myself! It was really interesting to hear about pregnancy from the male perspective, something that is really lacking in probably most books of this type. I thought the author was a good balance between a "real" parent, with perhaps a little "hippie" thrown in there. For example, he pointed out that most practitioners don't love birth plans... I suspected that, but from all the other mommy blogs and books you would think EVERYONE has one and that doctors just LOVE them.
I would recommend this to first-time parents. It was entertaining, educational, and suitable for both mom and dad.
I would recommend this to first-time parents. It was entertaining, educational, and suitable for both mom and dad.
November 1, 2017
If anyone actually reads my reviews... preslee is pregnant.
November 2, 2022
To go along with What to Expect — the metropolis of pregnancy books — here’s the Dad-book suburb made just for me. There’s plenty of overlap between the two, but this one really helped me feel more included in the whole experience. It was comforting that someone thought to organize all this info specifically for the partners when most of the time they are overlooked (for good reason, we know we aren’t doing the heavy lifting here, but still).
One thing I appreciated about this one over the other is the give-it-to-you-plain attitude. More down to earth and real advice rather than long, detailed overexplanation. And it speaks to you on a more personal level, or at least it did to me. I felt like the author could read my mind and was talking me down from a potential freak out before I even got to it. There’s a lot of reassuring and pep talking and firsthand commiserating, all of which stuck with me as each month ticked by.
It felt like it was written directly for me, whereas the other was clearly written more for moms rather than the saavy partners that stumbled onto it on her nightstand. Thankfully, I get to keep this one on mine.
One thing I appreciated about this one over the other is the give-it-to-you-plain attitude. More down to earth and real advice rather than long, detailed overexplanation. And it speaks to you on a more personal level, or at least it did to me. I felt like the author could read my mind and was talking me down from a potential freak out before I even got to it. There’s a lot of reassuring and pep talking and firsthand commiserating, all of which stuck with me as each month ticked by.
It felt like it was written directly for me, whereas the other was clearly written more for moms rather than the saavy partners that stumbled onto it on her nightstand. Thankfully, I get to keep this one on mine.
December 24, 2020
A lot to think about that can go wrong but nature has been doing this for a long time. Be present.
July 4, 2020
(Expecting my first) Huge fan of this book. It was a great, step by step, nuts and bolts approach to the emotional and physical side of pregnancy for dads. While I didn’t agree with everything, he gave a great framework for expectations.
As my kid grows, I’ll read the rest of this series of books.
As my kid grows, I’ll read the rest of this series of books.
November 9, 2021
Used this book as a means to reflect through the monthly changes we experienced during my wife's pregnancy.
November 1, 2015
Armin Brott's THE EXPECTANT FATHER is a terrific resource for new daddies preparing for the biggest, and most rewarding, change in their life.
Brott is direct and straight-forward in his presentations, and his information is well-researched and sourced, so if you have any questions or would like to know more about the material presented, it's very easy to find his primary sources. He has also compiled a very handy Resources appendix to further one's own research into this challenging new landscape. Prepping for a baby can be stressful and incredibly time-consuming, so I really appreciated the author's no-frills approach along with personal examples from his own experiences as a father of two daughters. The writing is smooth and he approaches each of his topics, ranging from each month of pregnancy to delivery, up through the first few days at home, with clarity and dashes of smart humor.
Which brings me to why I so appreciated this book over a few other expectant father guides out there. Brott recognizes the importance of being a father and he's quick, and happy, to dispel some of the more negative and ridiculous stereotypes about fatherhood. While sitcoms, and way too often our own society (including plenty of other men out there) like to treat fathers as ancillary, barely-there doofuses, the reality (or at least my reality in approaching fatherhood) is quite different. I want to be an active part of my child's life and learn how to do things for him as we grow and bond together. I also consider myself to be reasonably educated, and I liked that Brott treated his readers as equals. There's no talking down to his readers about this subject, and we're all on a level playing field. I did try to read a few other parenting books for men, but couldn't stand the talking points about how changing diapers isn't quite as simple as cracking open a beer can, or presenting information in a "I know you're a caveman, but even your simple mind can do this" fashion. Those books felt like a perpetuation of ridiculous BS, whereas Brott is more than willing to give the subject, and his readers, much deserved respect.
While being a parent, and a new one at that, is rife with on the job training and no owner's manual in sight, it certainly can't hurt to have plenty of information on hand. And that's what you get with Brott's work - concise, informative, respectful, and well-delivered topics on the ups and downs, and the joys, of becoming - and being - a father. Now that our son is three weeks old, I'm ready to move onto Brott's next book, THE NEW FATHER.
Brott is direct and straight-forward in his presentations, and his information is well-researched and sourced, so if you have any questions or would like to know more about the material presented, it's very easy to find his primary sources. He has also compiled a very handy Resources appendix to further one's own research into this challenging new landscape. Prepping for a baby can be stressful and incredibly time-consuming, so I really appreciated the author's no-frills approach along with personal examples from his own experiences as a father of two daughters. The writing is smooth and he approaches each of his topics, ranging from each month of pregnancy to delivery, up through the first few days at home, with clarity and dashes of smart humor.
Which brings me to why I so appreciated this book over a few other expectant father guides out there. Brott recognizes the importance of being a father and he's quick, and happy, to dispel some of the more negative and ridiculous stereotypes about fatherhood. While sitcoms, and way too often our own society (including plenty of other men out there) like to treat fathers as ancillary, barely-there doofuses, the reality (or at least my reality in approaching fatherhood) is quite different. I want to be an active part of my child's life and learn how to do things for him as we grow and bond together. I also consider myself to be reasonably educated, and I liked that Brott treated his readers as equals. There's no talking down to his readers about this subject, and we're all on a level playing field. I did try to read a few other parenting books for men, but couldn't stand the talking points about how changing diapers isn't quite as simple as cracking open a beer can, or presenting information in a "I know you're a caveman, but even your simple mind can do this" fashion. Those books felt like a perpetuation of ridiculous BS, whereas Brott is more than willing to give the subject, and his readers, much deserved respect.
While being a parent, and a new one at that, is rife with on the job training and no owner's manual in sight, it certainly can't hurt to have plenty of information on hand. And that's what you get with Brott's work - concise, informative, respectful, and well-delivered topics on the ups and downs, and the joys, of becoming - and being - a father. Now that our son is three weeks old, I'm ready to move onto Brott's next book, THE NEW FATHER.
October 29, 2007
This book is fantastic. The first time you and your wife become pregnant, books will start appearing out of thin air telling her every minute detail of what is happening each day of the pregnancy, what the baby is doing now, how big it is, what might go wrong now, and how to deal with it. If you are like is, you'll end up with 2.3 copies of each book on the subject.
This book is different, because it is for the father. It not only tells you what is going on with your wife, and future offspring, but also goes into what is happening with you. It's full of great advice and information.
One tip though. If it tells you something, and then says you'd be wise not to mention that to your wife while she is pregnant, Listen To It! I'm still living that one down.
This book is different, because it is for the father. It not only tells you what is going on with your wife, and future offspring, but also goes into what is happening with you. It's full of great advice and information.
One tip though. If it tells you something, and then says you'd be wise not to mention that to your wife while she is pregnant, Listen To It! I'm still living that one down.
December 14, 2018
There are a LOT of books out there. And the getting-ready-to-be parents genre is its own cottage industry, selling product to raise parenting expectations. This one has a lot of outdated information, is at times offensive, (especially the comments about why it would be nice to have a "cute, 20 year old au pair in your house") and rather clumsily promotes the idea of an equal partnership in raising children, while the existence of this book presumes a sort of paternal laziness ("I'll just read this book and be all set"). There MUST be better, more insightful books out there that don't treat expectant fathers like lazy, horny idiots.
June 7, 2012
Reading this book while watching my wife rest during labor has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life. I wish I would have read this book as soon as we discovered we were pregnant but the insight was still very well-received. All dads-to-be should read this!
June 1, 2016
Well written, solid and insightful. I can say that the medical information provided is pretty spot on in all regards and that this book should be required reading for all expecting dads.
April 8, 2017
I'm not even gonna waste my time reviewing this useless sad excuse of a book. I'm intellectually offended by how commercial this book is.
January 26, 2023
All you really need when you read a book like this is an author with experience, which breeds knowledge and any expectant dad can stand to listen a man who has these two things when it comes to newborn infants. They also need to hear that it's been done before. Other mothers and fathers have been through what you're going through and they've survived just fine. Going through an obscure/rare event? They've been through that too, and here's what you do.
This book mainly goes through each month of pregnancy and helps the father to understand the mother better. It explains what's happening to her, how she's feeling, and what you can do as the father-to-be. This is the only book of its kind that I've read, but I reckon it's as good as any highly acclaimed work of non-fiction that prepares a man to be a father. It reads in a calm and relatable tone and the advice is sound enough. Needless to say, every pregnancy is different so the reactions and behavior of the mother-to-be is highly variable so although this book generalizes, it's still truthful.
Maybe this is the most trendy of books that are available for expectant fathers, but that's good because knowledge and advice for pregnancy and preparing oneself to be a parent are always evolving and adjusting with the culture so it's good to read the most recent version of those things. I recommend it. Study up because you'll need all the preparation you can handle for what's about to come.
This book mainly goes through each month of pregnancy and helps the father to understand the mother better. It explains what's happening to her, how she's feeling, and what you can do as the father-to-be. This is the only book of its kind that I've read, but I reckon it's as good as any highly acclaimed work of non-fiction that prepares a man to be a father. It reads in a calm and relatable tone and the advice is sound enough. Needless to say, every pregnancy is different so the reactions and behavior of the mother-to-be is highly variable so although this book generalizes, it's still truthful.
Maybe this is the most trendy of books that are available for expectant fathers, but that's good because knowledge and advice for pregnancy and preparing oneself to be a parent are always evolving and adjusting with the culture so it's good to read the most recent version of those things. I recommend it. Study up because you'll need all the preparation you can handle for what's about to come.
November 26, 2018
Received this book from a friend, knowing that I was becoming a father soon.
The book is very well organized in chronological order of a women's pregnancy, and discussed a lot of practical things as well as expectation changes durning the pregnancy. This book addressed all the questions and curiosities I had as a father that is interested in the whole process of pregnancy. However I wouldn't say it goes into a lot of depth. I find myself more knowledge on certain topics discussed in this book based on my reading in other books. Overall would recommend to any Father/Partner that wants to be more supportive during the process.
The book is very well organized in chronological order of a women's pregnancy, and discussed a lot of practical things as well as expectation changes durning the pregnancy. This book addressed all the questions and curiosities I had as a father that is interested in the whole process of pregnancy. However I wouldn't say it goes into a lot of depth. I find myself more knowledge on certain topics discussed in this book based on my reading in other books. Overall would recommend to any Father/Partner that wants to be more supportive during the process.
October 23, 2019
As comprehensive as it is helpful. Essential reading for every expecting father to be. Walks readers through the initial stages of pregnancy, what to expect each month, and sets the tone for the months immediately following child birth. I was otherwise ill informed, but now feel like a PhD on pregnancy (or an MD on obstetrics?). Bring on the baby and the challenges it brings with it.
Onto his next book regarding the first year.. wish me good luck and send me your t’s and p’s.
Onto his next book regarding the first year.. wish me good luck and send me your t’s and p’s.
May 4, 2021
3.5/5. I read this with my husband and he found it to be very informative and helpful with regard to his experiences throughout my recent pregnancy. However, Brott made some interesting comments about women and their experiences with pregnancy throughout that we didn't necessarily agree with. All in all I think it was helpful for Hubby to have a male perspective to relate to but it's possible the book could be due for an updated edition to bring it up to date.
February 4, 2019
The premier dad-to-be book. It has all the information you need to be a good partner to the future mother. This book was very well researched and full of great stories, studies, lists, & techniques. It's basically "The Bump" for men. There were times where I knew more about the baby than my wife did.
September 16, 2020
Gostei bastante. Leitura tranquila e bem organizada. Traz muitas informações/dicas práticas e cita muitos estudos. Certos detalhes acabavam se repetindo mais do que precisava, mas isso é consequência da estrutura do livro.
December 28, 2021
This was a pretty comprehensive book. I feel much more equipped with what to expect, and learned a lot of useful tips.
I was disappointed with some of the opinions of the author, on topics like roles of men and women as well as abortion. Granted, this is a secular book, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise.
Overall a good book, and well researched.
I was disappointed with some of the opinions of the author, on topics like roles of men and women as well as abortion. Granted, this is a secular book, so this doesn’t come as a huge surprise.
Overall a good book, and well researched.
January 2, 2019
Tons of invaluable information. Best if read month to month during the pregnancy.
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