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The Expectant Dad's Survival Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Expectant Dad's Survival Guide written by Rob Kemp, read by Simon Darwen.
From buying buggies and cutting the cord to dealing with your wife's breastfeeding in public - the life of a first-time father will throw up new experiences every day.
The Expectant Dad's Survival Guide tells you everything you need to know during your partner's pregnancy and the first few weeks of your new life as a dad. Combining expert advice from midwives, psychologists and obstetricians with first-hand accounts, it explains what's happening with her, what's going on with your baby, and what the hell you should be doing every step of the way.
With tips from those who know, what-to-do explanations and fascinating facts, this survival guide will ensure you're armed and ready for your role as a new father - from discovery to delivery and beyond. A must-read for all fathers-to-be.
From buying buggies and cutting the cord to dealing with your wife's breastfeeding in public - the life of a first-time father will throw up new experiences every day.
The Expectant Dad's Survival Guide tells you everything you need to know during your partner's pregnancy and the first few weeks of your new life as a dad. Combining expert advice from midwives, psychologists and obstetricians with first-hand accounts, it explains what's happening with her, what's going on with your baby, and what the hell you should be doing every step of the way.
With tips from those who know, what-to-do explanations and fascinating facts, this survival guide will ensure you're armed and ready for your role as a new father - from discovery to delivery and beyond. A must-read for all fathers-to-be.
Audible Audio
First published February 1, 2010
82 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Rob Kemp
3 books3 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 9, 2012
Informative but written in an incongruously laddish style for somethinng about becoming a father. It was all a little "nudge, nudge, wink, wink, don't let the little lady find out THIS little thing" for my liking.
That said, I learnt a lot about what I didn't already know.
That said, I learnt a lot about what I didn't already know.
September 13, 2013
Patronising. Far too laddish.
January 10, 2026
The only good thing about the book is the straightforward structure. As it's laid out by stage of the pregnancy, I was able to skip to the stage that my wife's at. And skip several sections including on whether one should film the birth, or whether one should buy a new car.
Overall the book came across like it was written for the type of 'bloke' who has the attention span of a small woodland mammal. Filled to the brim with colloquialisms and crass, sometimes nauseating, jokes. The informational content is general knowledge, with the occasional nuggets of useful knowledge only being matched by that which is factually incorrect.
I'd only recommend this one to a person who doesn't know how to read.
Overall the book came across like it was written for the type of 'bloke' who has the attention span of a small woodland mammal. Filled to the brim with colloquialisms and crass, sometimes nauseating, jokes. The informational content is general knowledge, with the occasional nuggets of useful knowledge only being matched by that which is factually incorrect.
I'd only recommend this one to a person who doesn't know how to read.
March 1, 2019
A useful introduction for expectant dads with most of the ‘basics’ covered (I presume) and a useful form of mini-reference guide to look back on as the pregnancy progresses. However, this book has some major flaws...
1] the stereotypical presumption that men are going to be out drinking/partying/wanting sex all the time.
Yes, this may be true of some, but throughout the book it is Kemp’s go to attempt at humour and sadly it detracts from the book.
2] this immaturity (see above) makes one question the extent to which they can trust the guidance in the book. As a first time dad, I feel this to be an unreliable source as a result and find myself searching out the more specialised ‘mother-orientated’ books as guidance.
1] the stereotypical presumption that men are going to be out drinking/partying/wanting sex all the time.
Yes, this may be true of some, but throughout the book it is Kemp’s go to attempt at humour and sadly it detracts from the book.
2] this immaturity (see above) makes one question the extent to which they can trust the guidance in the book. As a first time dad, I feel this to be an unreliable source as a result and find myself searching out the more specialised ‘mother-orientated’ books as guidance.
August 25, 2024
Finished it just in time!
January 30, 2021
Good book but not dip in dip out as some are. The book is however chaptered in gestational weeks, so can be used to refer back.
The post-birth section however could be more detailed.
The post-birth section however could be more detailed.
July 16, 2022
Well I'm ready now.
Kind of.
Not really.
It helped though!!
Kind of.
Not really.
It helped though!!
July 23, 2022
I read this towards the end of my partner pregnancy and it was very helpful to know that everything I had done/doing was correct and I wasn't alone haha.
However it also opened my eyes to a few good ideas that I had thought of
However it also opened my eyes to a few good ideas that I had thought of
January 19, 2021
This book acts as a friendly guide to teach any first time dad the basics. It takes you through the the stages of pregnancy from when you first discover the pregnancy, to the scans, birth and taking the baby home.
The tone of the book throughout tries to recreate a conversation at the pub with a mate and for the most part it does this successfully. However, there are times when this appears to be aimed at younger dads (19-22) and assumes that most father's would rather be spending time with friends or want to keep their pre-baby routines.
The information given throughout is definitely useful and teaches all the basics as well as giving numerous tips whilst preparing for your new arrival. It also features testimony from other fathers as they share their experiences. These are particularly helpful in showing you that there isn't one correct way yo be a father, but it gives you the information you need to best dad you can be.
The book is termed as a 'survival guide' which is apt. It gives you all the information you need to prepare yourself for z life changing experience, but more importantly prepares you for how to care for both your partner and baby at every stage of the pregnancy.
I have learnt a significant amount from reading this and gave been keen to share this with my wife. A worthwhile read for ant expectant father.
The tone of the book throughout tries to recreate a conversation at the pub with a mate and for the most part it does this successfully. However, there are times when this appears to be aimed at younger dads (19-22) and assumes that most father's would rather be spending time with friends or want to keep their pre-baby routines.
The information given throughout is definitely useful and teaches all the basics as well as giving numerous tips whilst preparing for your new arrival. It also features testimony from other fathers as they share their experiences. These are particularly helpful in showing you that there isn't one correct way yo be a father, but it gives you the information you need to best dad you can be.
The book is termed as a 'survival guide' which is apt. It gives you all the information you need to prepare yourself for z life changing experience, but more importantly prepares you for how to care for both your partner and baby at every stage of the pregnancy.
I have learnt a significant amount from reading this and gave been keen to share this with my wife. A worthwhile read for ant expectant father.
July 15, 2018
Thanks to my brother in law for lending me this book, while there was plenty of tongue-in-cheek throughout, there were also some very interesting nuggets that I'll be glad I learned at this stage and not later on when it's all too late! It was surprising sometimes how the author seemed to think that many dads-to-be feel quite distant and apart from the pregnancy, or that they should not even attempt to consider how their wives / partners are feeling and simply respond with pre-programmed answers when called upon. Let's just say I hope to be able to pass it on, with a disclaimer as my brother in law did to me.
June 15, 2024
It did include plenty of helpful thoughts, and I’ve marked a few pages for future reference once we are later in our pregnancy/early days of parenthood, but I could’ve done without the ‘laddishness’ of the jokes, particularly the number of times the author japes about ‘making an escape plan’ or ‘scarpering off’. Simply put, I wouldn’t be reading this book if I wasn’t taking the whole thing seriously, so a lot of that stuff felt a bit unnecessary. I also made the mistake of buying this second hand, so a fair number of details (government support, company websites etc) were out of date, so if you are planning on reading this, please get the latest edition.
January 4, 2025
I am expected my first child in February, my wife bought me this book and I’m so glad she did. It’s simple, easy reading with lots of useful facts and tips. Further to this, to true stories and comments from other fathers spread throughout the book made it so much more real.
I see lots of reviews complaining about the books almost laddish nature. I fail to see why people find this to be a problem. The point of the book is to be, a new father’s entry point for parenthood, many whom probably don’t do all that much reading. This just makes it really accessible.
A great book!
I see lots of reviews complaining about the books almost laddish nature. I fail to see why people find this to be a problem. The point of the book is to be, a new father’s entry point for parenthood, many whom probably don’t do all that much reading. This just makes it really accessible.
A great book!
August 26, 2020
Patronising Twaddle.
Only I read two lines and it was boorish, unoriginal and ghastly . This was a gift from my previous employer and this just cements my view as to why I left.
This is the book for if ever Kevin the teenager from Harry Enfield became a dad.
Please buy this book if you like football, Audis, holidays in Spain and Primark.
Did the writer come up with this guff in a pub?
Was he once the features editor for the Daily Star?
Only I read two lines and it was boorish, unoriginal and ghastly . This was a gift from my previous employer and this just cements my view as to why I left.
This is the book for if ever Kevin the teenager from Harry Enfield became a dad.
Please buy this book if you like football, Audis, holidays in Spain and Primark.
Did the writer come up with this guff in a pub?
Was he once the features editor for the Daily Star?
January 9, 2015
I have to say, I really liked this.
Started reading because, well, I have to, but it was very enjoyable. Technical knowledge delivered with a cheeky wit that made the read effortless.
Other reviews have noted the laddish quality of the writing and I agree, but I gotta say, I quite like that. It's like your mate chatting to you in the pub after the birth of HIS child. I found it engaging.
Started reading because, well, I have to, but it was very enjoyable. Technical knowledge delivered with a cheeky wit that made the read effortless.
Other reviews have noted the laddish quality of the writing and I agree, but I gotta say, I quite like that. It's like your mate chatting to you in the pub after the birth of HIS child. I found it engaging.
November 1, 2019
This books has actually made me think I know what I'm doing. I even surprised the midwife the other day with some of my learned knowledge. It's nice to read a baby book from the perspective of the father and know that what I'm feeling and concerned about is the same as other fathets-to-be. I feel more prepared for the arrival of my little one in a few weeks time. Thanks.
May 26, 2019
More like The Expectant Lad Dad's Survival Guide but helpful in parts, particularly the chapters that cover post-birth which provided a useful reference point for me in the first 10 days or so. Someone's bought me the sister book that covers the first year and I'll probably read it.
April 14, 2024
This is a frustrating book. As a dad-to-be I appreciate all the practical hints and tips. One could say it’s no-nonsense, easy to read and informative. And for that I appreciate it. Hence two stars. It’s tone however is severely ill-judged. It would like to come across as a cool, laid-back, humorous guide to the modern dad, but it does so in a very laddish, off-putting way.
In the author’s world, men nowadays love the 9-5 office grind, are football mad, petrolheads and love a stiff drink. They would rather hang out with the boys down the pub, than spend quiet time with the missus. I venture to say that it’s a very old-fashioned perspective on men. Feels like a 50’s dad in modern trappings.
The approach feels insulting and condescending. Men have other facets. Why are we all being painted with the same brush? Many men, about to become fathers, are really looking forward to it. It’s not some nuisance we have to be taught to put up with. “Oh dude, I know what you’re thinking; it’s gonna be such a chore, but I’ve got your back. Just take my advice and you’ll learn to appreciate it”. Thank you, but I was already very prepared to love it.
And I know, the author does not really believe these things. It’s all done with a wry smile and very tongue-in-cheek. He’s clearly very intelligent and has lots of experience. Then why talk to us like we’re little boys still? He thinks we like the buddy-buddy lingo.
And just to conclude, I actually love football. But it doesn’t mean I am the Neanderthal I’m made to feel like when I read this book. Buy and read for info only. If you can get through it without feeling the frustrations bubble up within, then you’re a better man than I.
In the author’s world, men nowadays love the 9-5 office grind, are football mad, petrolheads and love a stiff drink. They would rather hang out with the boys down the pub, than spend quiet time with the missus. I venture to say that it’s a very old-fashioned perspective on men. Feels like a 50’s dad in modern trappings.
The approach feels insulting and condescending. Men have other facets. Why are we all being painted with the same brush? Many men, about to become fathers, are really looking forward to it. It’s not some nuisance we have to be taught to put up with. “Oh dude, I know what you’re thinking; it’s gonna be such a chore, but I’ve got your back. Just take my advice and you’ll learn to appreciate it”. Thank you, but I was already very prepared to love it.
And I know, the author does not really believe these things. It’s all done with a wry smile and very tongue-in-cheek. He’s clearly very intelligent and has lots of experience. Then why talk to us like we’re little boys still? He thinks we like the buddy-buddy lingo.
And just to conclude, I actually love football. But it doesn’t mean I am the Neanderthal I’m made to feel like when I read this book. Buy and read for info only. If you can get through it without feeling the frustrations bubble up within, then you’re a better man than I.
January 7, 2026
It's a great intro to fatherhood.
I especially appreciated the relaxed tone of the book, a well-balanced humour that is not insensitive or does not down-play the seemingly less relevant details.
It's a great primer to expectant dads. The additional resources include some useful forums, organizations, communities, etc. that can come in handy at various stages of expectancy. Each chapter includes inputs from guys different the author, in which they describe how they managed to cope with various situations. It also includes a list of useful advise of DO-s and DON'T-s from fresh moms, what did they appreciate and what would they have differently regarding how their partners did (or didn't do) something.
Although some of the details are UK-focused, I highly recommend this book for every lad out there that is expecting their first baby.
I especially appreciated the relaxed tone of the book, a well-balanced humour that is not insensitive or does not down-play the seemingly less relevant details.
It's a great primer to expectant dads. The additional resources include some useful forums, organizations, communities, etc. that can come in handy at various stages of expectancy. Each chapter includes inputs from guys different the author, in which they describe how they managed to cope with various situations. It also includes a list of useful advise of DO-s and DON'T-s from fresh moms, what did they appreciate and what would they have differently regarding how their partners did (or didn't do) something.
Although some of the details are UK-focused, I highly recommend this book for every lad out there that is expecting their first baby.
January 3, 2022
Read this in preparation for my first child. Was really quite useful to learn about what my partner was going through at the different stages of pregnancy. It was also great to to see some lists of thing for birth and for the baby in general. There's also great insights from dads throughout the book that are reassuring.
August 25, 2024
Assuming it’s all correct… this is a brilliantly written and well constructed guide to pregnancy and birth. I’ve dipped into it over the last nine months and read the relevant chapters as and when they arrive - it’s been delightfully amusing and informative.
Like having a great mate giving you good advice every time you need it.
Like having a great mate giving you good advice every time you need it.
June 9, 2021
As a father to be, I learnt a fair bit from this book and even though, as other reviews have mentioned, it’s written in a laddish way, it has plenty of information for fathers to be and recommendations on what they should do.
July 7, 2021
The laddish tone, while sometimes funny, felt a little bit forced or over the top at times but there is a lot of genuinely useful content in here that helped me a great deal in preparing for the birth of my son.
November 30, 2025
Dated and borderline misogynistic. Reads as if it was written by a bloke that didn’t want a baby for a target audience of blokes who don’t want a baby who probably therefore won’t be reading a book about having a baby.
April 22, 2018
Informative (to be tested in a few months, that is), enjoyable. I see what other authors say about being “laddish”, but keeping a sense of humour through all this is important too!
October 16, 2018
Can't recommend this highly enough. Really enjoyed the information and has help me prepare.
December 30, 2021
Keeps it light and humourous.
October 14, 2022
Really enjoyed this book. Informative, helpful yet informal and full of humour at the right time. I'm mid-30s, first time Dad. It helped prepare for the birth and arrival of our son. Cheers Rob.
December 30, 2022
I did not engage with this book at all - far too many clichés about the stereotypical roles of mothers and fathers.
January 16, 2023
Really fun to read and with the most important information for a future dad. Recommended
January 30, 2023
Some useful information. More entertainment than useful. Would recommend to expectant fathers, not as serious as I would have expected.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews