10 Best Parenting Books for Dads

If we look only one generation back, we will find that it would have been very strange for our fathers to read books on parenthood and educate themselves about bringing children up. Luckily, times are changing and now future fathers are getting involved in parenting much more, from attending birth classes to bringing up healthy adults. There is an increasing amount of books on the market which can inform and guide fathers through parenthood. We give you the list of our top 10.

The Expectant Father Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-be

(By: Jennifer Ash, Armin A. Brott )

This is a month-by-month guide to all the changes the expectant father may go through during his partner’s pregnancy. This includes mental, emotional, financial, physical and relationship changes.

The authors do a great job of comprehensively covering all the areas impacted by pregnancy, from work and family balance, supporting your pregnant partner, navigating through your emotional and sexual life, and even starting a college fund early on. This book is packed with practical advice and illustrated with humorous cartoons.

The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year

(By: Armin A. Brott )

By the author of the Expectant Father, this book is somewhat of a sequel as it covers the first year of fatherhood. It is also done as a month-by-month guide to the baby’s and dad’s development and changes.

It incorporates a perspective on how men’s roles are changing in modern day society and offers strategies on how to deal with them. It gives practical advice on how to connect with the baby, understand what the baby communicates, and much more.

Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads

(By: Gary Greenberg and Jeannie Hayden )

A survival manual for first time dads, this book covers all the practical things fathers need to know about taking care of a baby, in a very humorous way. There are illustrated step-by-step instructions on important subjects like how to take baby’s temperature, how to swaddle a newborn, how to change a diaper at a sports stadium, how to babyproof a hotel room in under five minutes and how to make an emergency diaper out of a towel and some duct tape, to name just a few.

This book talks about the things fathers do really need to know in a funny way taking the pressure off of their new duties.

150 Tips and Tricks for New Dads: From the First Feeding to Diaper-Changing Disasters—Everything You Need to Know to Be a Great Father

(By: Vincent Iannelli )

Written by a pediatrician who is also a dad, this book is packed with professional and practical knowledge. You can find good tips on anything you need to know about feeding, diaper changing, helping the mommy, childproofing the house, interpreting the baby’s cries, choosing a car seat, bonding with the baby, dealing with medical issues and much more.

The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance

(By: Louis Borgenicht M.D. and Joe Borgenicht )

Here is another humorous book that provides professional advice and comprehensive step-by-step instructions illustrated with helpful diagrams. Written by famous father and son pediatricians, this book will really teach you the basics of childcare in an easy and simple way.

You can learn how to swaddle a baby, make the baby sleep through the night and so on.

Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child

(By: Kyle D. Pruett, M.D. )

This book provides valuable information on how fathers influence a child’s emotional and cognitive development. Dr. Pruett, a psychiatrist, based his book on more than 20 years of research done at the Yale Child Study Center and experiences of actual families.

It teaches us, both men and women, how to engage in healthy fathering and offers us skills we need to apply in order to bring up healthy children. It covers all the changing roles of fatherhood, from pregnancy and birth, through childhood and adolescence and into maturity.

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

(By: Ellen Galinsky )

Ellen Galinski, President of Families and Work Institute, presents us with a groundbreaking book based on latest research in the field of child development. Simply put, she tells us, in a clear and concise manner, what we should be teaching our children for their highest good.

Some topics covered are: focus and self-control, communication, making connections, critical thinking and so on. This book is a true gem!

NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children

(By: Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman )

Some editions are also titled Why Everything We Thought About Children is Wrong and it does a good job describing this book’s approach. You will find some truly surprising and eye-opening information here like the fact that dishonesty can be a positive trait, that it is ok to argue in front of your kids, and that praising our kids much will set them up for failure.

It is a good read providing a different perspective.

Smart Parenting for Smart Kids: Nurturing Your Child’s True Potential

(By: Eileen Kennedy Moore, PhD Mark S Lowenthal, PsyD )

This book got Mom’s Choice Golden Award meaning it is the number one most useful resource on parenting. It informs us about essential skills we need to teach our children to help them become self-confident, functional, caring individuals who make use of their talents and abilities.

It teaches us how to bring up mentally and emotionally stable adults, helping our kids overcome perfectionism, avoidance, rebelliousness, social anxieties and low self-esteem.

Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids

(By: Kim John Payne and Lisa M Ross )

Every parent needs to have this book handy – it is a guide on how to preserve the freedom and space of childhood in today’s fast paced society that bombards kids with too many choices and distractions.


This book teaches us how to go back to the basics and keep it simple offering us practical strategies and ideas.

That said, parenting books can only teach us so much. However, unconditional love, support and true connection do go a long way in any child’s life.

Emma Lawson is a busy mom to two wonderful boys. She is passionate about writing. Besides helpful books, you can find all that a parent needs for a baby at Bubbaroo. You can follow Emma on Twitter @EmmahLawson