From humorous anecdotes to practical advice, explore our curated selection of the best pregnancy books for dad tailored just for him.
There are so many good pregnancy books for moms, but the good books for dads are harder to find. The following pregnancy books for dad 2024 will help any expecting dad or partner understand and be more involved in the pregnancy, feel more prepared for childbirth, be helpful in the delivery room, know what to say and not say during childbirth, and become an invaluable rock during the postpartum transition. All of them can be found on Amazon!
The Best Pregnancy Books for Dads
The Dad’s Playbook to Labor and Birth
This book begins with motivating dads to learn about their upcoming birth experience by giving detailed and diverse stories/scenarios. I felt the author did a great job of helping a man conceptualize what’s in store for them. I think a lot of men believe they’ll just “ride it out” and “wing it” (women have been having babies for thousands of years, right?) but this book explains that at least in the current culture men are expected to perform (and do it well!).
By motivating dads by helping them understand what supporting a woman through birth could be like, I feel like men reading this book will realize they need to spend time preparing for labor and birth. Trust me, buy this book for your man!
NOTE: If your guy doesn’t like sports or sports analogies I think one of the books below would be a better fit.
Happiest Baby on the Block
Every childbirth class I teach learns the 5 S’s from Harvey Karp’s Happiest Baby on the Block, one of my favorite parenting books. Parents these days don’t recognize the name of his book, but they definitely recognize the SNOO, which is the $1000-$2000 smart sleeper bassinet Dr. Karp created based on the methods discussed in his book. (The bassinet works… I’ve used it. I digress. 😉 )
This book is worth reading because it teaches parents to sooth baby, which is a big learning curve in the first year. Dr. Karp gives easy to understand and remember step-by-step instructions that actually work. Dads will especially appreciate this book because the next time baby cries, they’ll know what to do because they’ve learned how to turn on their baby’s calming reflexes.
The Expectant Father
The Expectant Father is a very practical guide for every father-to-be as it seems to cover EVERY topic that might arise including infertility, pregnancy month-by-month, changes in the relationship with your partner, childbirth education, and current research. Because of that, it’s a very handy resource to have on hand. However, it won’t cover every topic in depth.
This book comes from the perspective that dads and moms share an equal role in conception and therefore pregnancy, birth and parenting. If this describes your intentions for parenting, you’ll likely find this book a great fit.
Also, I can see this book inspiring many conversation between mom and dad about the transition to parenthood. This is a must read and one of the best pregnancy books for dad.
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, which is also on my top ten pregnancy books list, is broken down into two sections – practical information and birth stories. I have met people who have only read/liked one section or the other, but in my opinion they are symbiotic.
Ina May, a world renown midwife, explains the birthing process in a way that will make sense, motivate you to carefully choose your birth team, and even make the process exciting! The birth stories will leave parents thinking that “we can totally do this”.
The Birth Partner
If you’re looking for a straightforward “how to” on supporting a woman through childbirth, The Birth Partner is where it’s at. This book, which is also on my top ten pregnancy books list, is easily navigated for wherever you find yourself in the narrative – pregnancy, childbirth, immediate postpartum, or even emergency childbirth!
If a dad is looking to be a very “hands on” birth partner, he will find this book to be invaluable. This book is so thorough it’s even part of required reading for doulas.
My favorite part of this book are the illustrations of different laboring and birthing positions. I have often refered to these photos for inspiration while at births (I am a doula). Speaking of which, I would absolutely pack this book in your hospital bag and refer to it when in labor. It’s easily navigated and designed to be read on the fly so you will have great success reading it before labor, but also when the big event is actually happening.
Porn for New Moms
This tongue-in-cheek book is a small collection of vivid illustrations on how a woman craves to be treated postpartum. Or any time, for that matter.
It’s hilarious seeing each new page – the handsome man wearing his baby in a carrier while offering to make dinner, or the male model drawing a bath and offering to take care of everything else. This is great parenting advice!
At minimum Porn for New Moms will give the guys and partners ideas for easing the transition to parenthood. Or a chuckle. It’s a great coffee table book!
Be Prepared
Be Prepared is written to the man who wants to use his Boy Scout training on into fatherhood. It is one of the best books for new dads because it describes many scenarios a brand new father might find himself, and how preparedness will make everything easier.
If you’re overwhelmed or feeling uneasy about becoming a parent, this book will definitely simplify things and help you to laugh a little. It will get straight to the point and give the information needed. This is definitely one of the best pregnancy books for Dads!
A Dude’s Guide to Babies
Do you have a man that is afraid of babies? Ok, maybe afraid is not the best word, but at the very least unsure of himself caring for an infant (or infants!). If so, A Dude’s Guide to Babies will be very helpful!
Most men don’t have an opportunity to care for children, especially babies, before they themselves become parents. Taking care of a baby is a completely foreign concept!
This book guides new fathers through the ins and outs of not only caring for a baby, but parenting one. Tips on taking a baby to the doctor, how to hold a newborn, and circumcision care. Even the best of babysitters don’t know these things!
A Dude’s Guide to Babies would be a great baby shower gift or maybe even a way to tell him you’re pregnant. Get your copy today!
The Best Pregnancy Books for Dad
Just to recap, here are the best pregnancy books for dad all in one place.