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

Of all the books I read when we discovered we were going to be parents, The New Father was by far the most helpful, sympathetic and readable book this new dad ever laid his hands on. Brott's intelligent and helpful manner, combined with a score of personal anecdotes and experiences, really helped me make sense of the changes myself, my partner and our new arrival were going through. (The cartoons are an added bonus!) Our pride and joy is 10 months old now, and we're still referring to this book as much as ever. Strongly recommended.

Truth be told, when my sister-in-law gave me this book during the week prior to the birth of our son, my thought was, "Well, that's nice, but heck, I've already read the books my wife bought." Yet, I soon changed my mind after starting the book. Mind you, there are scores of excellent parenting books out there, but this is one of the few that relate the experience of becoming a new dad from a man's perspective. That's been of more value to me than I would have thought: Let's face it, we men tend to get self-conscious when we try to talk to each other about issues of the heart, and the result can be that a man too often feels isolated upon becoming a new parent. Armin Brott comes across in a sensitive, sincere manner, without crossing the line into an Alan Alda-ish "Gee I'm sorry I'm a man" tone. He covers the practical considerations of having a new baby in the house, but just as importantly, he discusses the emotional issues that arise with the birth of a child, such as the importance of recognizing the changes in the relationship between a man and his partner that seem to catch too many folks by surprise. "The New Father" is a great resource for new dads; it beats the heck out of drinking beer with your buddies and complaining about how bad baby poop smells.

This is a fabulous book not only for fathers but for mothers as well. There are a number of reasons for this. First, there are a number of topics covered in the book which are never mentioned in similar books for women. For example, the book contains information on financial planning, estate planning and the like. Unfortunately, these issues are NEVER mentioned in books geared toward women, even though such issues are of crucial importance to women. I regret to say that I think the reason for this is lingering stereotypes about men being the "planners" or "long term thinkers" for the family. Second, the manner in which controversial issues (e.g., family bed, breastfeeding past 1 year) are presented is evenhanded and unbiased. For example, in What to Expect the First Year, breastfeeding past one year is discussed in wholly negative terms -- "hauling out one's breasts, lack of independence, ear infections etc..." This book's presentation truly incensed me, especially since the authors present the book as being the source for "objective" information. Attachment parenting books sometimes give one the impression that mothers should continue breastfeeding until the child is off to kindergarten. Brott's presentation, on the other hand, is truly evenhanded, and even mentions his partner's decision to breastfeed his younger child for two years. I really appreciated this after all the charged information I read in books geared for women. Finally, the manner in which common topics are presented/discussed is unique and useful. For example, he has sections dealing with a child's temperment and follows through on this theme by discussing how a parent can aid a child's various transitions depending on his or her temperment. All of this, plus he injects levity with various cartoon, and includes poignant vignetttes on various experiences with his children. Obviously mothers will need another book dealing with information pertinent to women, e.g. postpartum recovery, breastfeeding etc..., but this is great book for everything else.

One minute after the birth of our son, I asked the doctor if the directions to this thing would be along shortly. But after a good laugh, I realized that I was just like every new father. I had ZERO experinece! This book is a road map pf the three most important things to consider...how do I feel, how does my wife feel, and what is the baby going through right now. It really helps you keep your senses when you fell like your world is crashing around you. It is written in simple english and is an easy read. I will most certainly pass this book along to the next friend of mine about to have a baby. My wife bought me this book as part of a 3 part series, and I'm glad she did. Which reminds me, this book is also much better that some of my wife's books I've read about this subject.

I have really appreciated this book over the past 18 months, as my wife and I anticipated the birth of our child, and as he grew into a happy, bubbly one year old.I've passed on copies to other fathers and will continue to share this wisdom with others.There have been plenty of times I've reread chapters in anticipation of what was to come, dreaming of the time I would again be able to sleep through the night, hear my son call me "da", dance for the first time.All of these events have occurred and are treasured in my heart.This book helped keep me comfortable and informed through times of great change, great responsibility and overwhelming circumstances.Moved by the sensitivity and good humor in the pages of this book, I respond by saying buy this bookA mans perspective in a field overflowing with women's experience based books is rare indeed. Read the book and be reminded that there are other men in the world who take the time to consider their actions, take responsibility when appropriate and believe that having a child is the greatest growth experience a person can have, but only when they remain involved and loving.Buy it for yourself, buy it for a friend.