What do you think?
Rate this book
The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers
Fatherhood demystified!
Finally: a manual for new dads that deciphers the immensely confusing world of fatherhood and gives crucial tips and advice from a man's point of view. No psychobabble, no warm fuzzies -- just a hilarious (and surprisingly practical) military-style guide to surviving and thriving through even the queasiest moments of pregnancy, birth, and babyhood. Seasoned father and master infant-tamer Scott Mactavish breaks the Baby Code down and lays it out in straight-up guyspeak.
The New Dad's Survival Guide includes declassified information on such topics as: Cutting the Cord: The Moment of Truth Feeding and Cleaning the NFU (New Family Unit) Surviving Sleep Deprivation Relieving Stress Without Booze The Great Boob Irony Pee, Poo, Hurl, and Snot: Getting Used to the Bodily Functions Critical Survival Tips Never Before Revealed Sex: Let the Games Begin Again...Finally Dozens of Essential Terms Defined, Including Binky, Onesie, Diaper Genie, Passy, and Sippy Cup
Grab your boots and strap on your helmet! The babies are coming!
Finally: a manual for new dads that deciphers the immensely confusing world of fatherhood and gives crucial tips and advice from a man's point of view. No psychobabble, no warm fuzzies -- just a hilarious (and surprisingly practical) military-style guide to surviving and thriving through even the queasiest moments of pregnancy, birth, and babyhood. Seasoned father and master infant-tamer Scott Mactavish breaks the Baby Code down and lays it out in straight-up guyspeak.
The New Dad's Survival Guide includes declassified information on such topics as: Cutting the Cord: The Moment of Truth Feeding and Cleaning the NFU (New Family Unit) Surviving Sleep Deprivation Relieving Stress Without Booze The Great Boob Irony Pee, Poo, Hurl, and Snot: Getting Used to the Bodily Functions Critical Survival Tips Never Before Revealed Sex: Let the Games Begin Again...Finally Dozens of Essential Terms Defined, Including Binky, Onesie, Diaper Genie, Passy, and Sippy Cup
Grab your boots and strap on your helmet! The babies are coming!
132 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2003
62 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 10, 2013
I recently read this book because I recently had a newborn. It is a fast read and written very easily with some pointers on what life is about to become with a newborn. It is also comical. I wish the book was longer but then again I probably won't have much time to read long books ( sorry mr. Shirer--see book list).
Worth the two hours to read for new fathers. ( I had a boy in case you were wondering)
Worth the two hours to read for new fathers. ( I had a boy in case you were wondering)
May 5, 2009
The book was okay, except that I read it about 2 weeks after my kids were born. While funny at times, the humor tended to wear off quick for me.
But it was a super quick read, and for completely clueless dads, it's a good place to start.
But it was a super quick read, and for completely clueless dads, it's a good place to start.
January 10, 2014
All kidding aside, this book is really, really useful. Yes, the tongue-in-cheek faux-drill-seargant writing gets tiresome, but the clear step-by-step what-to-expect explanations are really handy. Plus, many of the "don't forget to ___" tips are also well placed. (Note to self, ***do not forget the flowers***). This is a rather quick read, certainly intended for soon-to-be new fathers, and will never replace actual pregnancy/newborn care books, but is a worthwhile read just for the practical, real-life lessons learned. (Note to self, ***do not watch for the placenta***).
October 23, 2018
Fun, witty book. The author uses humor to talk about being a new father. If you are, or know, a first time dad this book will help them loosen up and enjoy the new baby process. It is a fun, high level overview, not a step by step guide. My wife read it and laughed on nearly every page. Great gift for new dads!
June 26, 2008
I bought this book for my husband, Shawn, for his first "father-to-be" Day. He said he really liked, and it was helpful. A fun read that uses military style, made up acronyms, and humor. It is, of course, writen by a male...I will write my thoughts after I have read it!
April 9, 2009
This book is hilarious. Definitely not a typical baby handbook, meant for fathers who want to be involved in the birth and raising of their child, but don't want to be overloaded with info.
October 9, 2024
At first, I was a little put off by the terminology and language this man used to discuss this crucial aspect of a new father’s life. FPP for female parenting partner? NFU for new family unit? What’s wrong with “mother” and “baby”? When did those words fall out of favor? Does he refer to the father as MPP? No, of course he doesn’t.
There are uses of sports and military metaphors (the rush of the mother to the hospital on the onset of labor is called “go time”) and images of men in impractical clothing like tuxedos, business suits and helmets. Pregnancy, labor and birth seem to acquire the grimness of a man bracing for warfare and, perversely, the petulance of an adolescent forced to part with his favorite band posters rather than the preparation for the advent of a new life that must be nurtured, swaddled and protected.
Still, those are superficial trifles. Underneath all that lie truly helpful advice, including getting to know your obstetrician, the birthing doctor and not laughing when your female partner is using a breast pump. Sensitivity is urged at every step (the stern admonition that the man is not to be impatient, insensitive or jealous when his newborn is suckling at his mother’s teats is a particularly good one, in my humble opinion).
Above all, the man is urged to put his partner and then his child first. That being stated, he’s also encouraged to take time for himself and his partner once the baby is born and can handle being away from their parents for a few hours. Relax, go to the movies, eat at a fine restaurant, get out of the house, for goodness sakes. (The man is wryly warned that he and his partner are going to spend the whole time fretting about the kid, anyway.)
This book is more than its flippant tone would initially suggest. If you can put aside your skepticism about a tract from a man who isn’t a doctor giving advice about the oldest human female undertaking in the world, you’ll find it filled with meaningful and sober, plain-speaking advice. Modern-day fathers and dads-in-training will benefit from its contents while mothers and mothers-to-be will admit, grudgingly, that here is a man who gets it.
There are uses of sports and military metaphors (the rush of the mother to the hospital on the onset of labor is called “go time”) and images of men in impractical clothing like tuxedos, business suits and helmets. Pregnancy, labor and birth seem to acquire the grimness of a man bracing for warfare and, perversely, the petulance of an adolescent forced to part with his favorite band posters rather than the preparation for the advent of a new life that must be nurtured, swaddled and protected.
Still, those are superficial trifles. Underneath all that lie truly helpful advice, including getting to know your obstetrician, the birthing doctor and not laughing when your female partner is using a breast pump. Sensitivity is urged at every step (the stern admonition that the man is not to be impatient, insensitive or jealous when his newborn is suckling at his mother’s teats is a particularly good one, in my humble opinion).
Above all, the man is urged to put his partner and then his child first. That being stated, he’s also encouraged to take time for himself and his partner once the baby is born and can handle being away from their parents for a few hours. Relax, go to the movies, eat at a fine restaurant, get out of the house, for goodness sakes. (The man is wryly warned that he and his partner are going to spend the whole time fretting about the kid, anyway.)
This book is more than its flippant tone would initially suggest. If you can put aside your skepticism about a tract from a man who isn’t a doctor giving advice about the oldest human female undertaking in the world, you’ll find it filled with meaningful and sober, plain-speaking advice. Modern-day fathers and dads-in-training will benefit from its contents while mothers and mothers-to-be will admit, grudgingly, that here is a man who gets it.
March 16, 2022
Fun book bro. It's a book for dads (well bro dads) but it's also a bit negative toward women, while also being super supportive of one woman (ie the mother of your child). It has some good pointers and tips, but (for me - ie., not a bro) it was far from my favorite (or useful) book for dads.
Yes, it was entertaining and easy to read. More like a memior of some college kid who knocked up some babe at a party and wrote about it for his frat boy buddies to know what to do if they fall into the same situation. For those who (like me) are married, planning, and preparing for pregnancy, this may not be the book for you. Though, for all the bros who are about to be young daddies (kiddos having kiddos) out there, perhaps check out this sick, funny book on helping your lady friend pop out a kiddo. Have fun reading this book, just don't expect it to be end-all-be-all.
Oh, acronyms. 3 are used extensively, which is kinda annoying... But I'll just BCF!
BCF: Be Cool, Fool...
Yes, it was entertaining and easy to read. More like a memior of some college kid who knocked up some babe at a party and wrote about it for his frat boy buddies to know what to do if they fall into the same situation. For those who (like me) are married, planning, and preparing for pregnancy, this may not be the book for you. Though, for all the bros who are about to be young daddies (kiddos having kiddos) out there, perhaps check out this sick, funny book on helping your lady friend pop out a kiddo. Have fun reading this book, just don't expect it to be end-all-be-all.
Oh, acronyms. 3 are used extensively, which is kinda annoying... But I'll just BCF!
BCF: Be Cool, Fool...
January 3, 2020
More a pep talk than a valuable trove of information
Baby blues are not the same as postpartum depression. Each time he approached an important topic, even something innocuous like burping your baby, he would say "ask a nurse to show you"! It's also a couple hour read, tops.
I recommend The Expectant Father for a truly useful primer for new dads.
Two stars instead of one because I did learn how to help my newborn pass gas, and that's a surprisingly useful skill. But the other 99% of the book felt written in a couple days, with no backing research or expert contributions. I recommend you skip it unless you are truly and completely clueless about what babies are, and only have two hours to spare to learn.
Baby blues are not the same as postpartum depression. Each time he approached an important topic, even something innocuous like burping your baby, he would say "ask a nurse to show you"! It's also a couple hour read, tops.
I recommend The Expectant Father for a truly useful primer for new dads.
Two stars instead of one because I did learn how to help my newborn pass gas, and that's a surprisingly useful skill. But the other 99% of the book felt written in a couple days, with no backing research or expert contributions. I recommend you skip it unless you are truly and completely clueless about what babies are, and only have two hours to spare to learn.
January 19, 2022
If you're looking for fathering advice, I'd look elsewhere. I breezed through this in two days and was none the wiser on my wife's pregnancy and pending parenthood than I was before I started. If you literally have no idea about anything related to birth or parenting then maybe this book is for you? But if you have even a cursory understanding of what's coming your way, you'll want something a little more in depth.
May 23, 2024
One of my biggest pet peeves is injecting military speak into things that aren’t the military. While the author borderlines does this, it’s isn’t terribly over the top. I felt like a soon to be dad, not a soon to be Marine.
My other pet peeve is the “useless dad” point of view. This book doesn’t seem to talk down to me, which I’ve found from several other parenting books.
My other pet peeve is the “useless dad” point of view. This book doesn’t seem to talk down to me, which I’ve found from several other parenting books.
January 21, 2019
Fun intro for clueless first time Dads. It's a quick read for sure - definitely worth the two hours. Personally, I thought it was pretty funny - laughed out loud even several times. Recommended. It was good.
June 16, 2017
Funny, short, and full of tips that are obvious but bear repeating in less sane moments. Slightly outdated in humor and advice.
November 19, 2018
entertaining
October 12, 2019
Short and entertaining way to get basic info
June 20, 2022
Informative and hilarious.
January 7, 2024
Забавна, лека и образователна.
January 22, 2025
A little out dated now.
November 9, 2019
Funny and helpful advice for first-time dads!
February 17, 2013
Perhaps my enjoyment of this book was affected by the fact that I DID read it a little later than I should have. It basically covers from the last few months of pregnancy into the first few months of having a new baby (which is where I was when finishing this book). While there was some helpful information included, it is written in a style that seems appropriate for a new dad who is 18-24 years old and has never known someone who has had a baby or taken a sex education class. The overall tone is fairly juvenile, and the author definitely gives a fairly personal account of the process thereby lacking some comprehensiveness. Overall, I imagine it would be an interesting read for a young, soon-to-be father who has not had a chance to read any other literature on the subject, but I found that it didn't contribute much to my knowledge on the subject matter.
July 29, 2014
So though I am not a dad-to-be, I am married to one, and I'd like him to know a whole lot more than is covered in this book. However, if your husband is not really willing to read anything about pregnancy or babies, this is a whole lot better than nothing. It is very quick (I read it in about an hour) and brief/superficial. The time periods the author touches on are late pregnancy, labor, and the first six months of baby's life. Mactavish encourages the new dad to be kind and not tease his wife about things like freaking out during labor or milk leakage, and to be kind to himself when he finds he too is freaking out about a sick or tired or cranky baby. As I said, I wouldn't be happy if my own husband read only this book, but it gives a good overview for those who may want to read anything but a parenting book.
October 28, 2011
'Cornie gave this book to her dad for his birthday. How thoughtful! Well, I read it, too. I read it in one sitting and snorted and giggled through the whole thing. It was definitely a safe place to read about labor (from dad's pov)! Also, helped me to remember what he might be feeling through this whole crazy process. (Just remember, some of his suggestions are just what worked for them, not what will work for you.)
May 24, 2013
There were some pretty funny spots, but I thought this book was much less informative than other books geared towards a similar audience (Baby Owner's Manual; Be Prepared). He defers to outside authorities a lot and doesn't fully explain much of anything. He spent a much larger chunk of the book on the actual birth than I expected. There were a few good tips but not really anything I haven't seen before.
November 11, 2015
Meh, it's fine. Covers some basic stuff, as a first-time dad-to-be I found it useful and informative, but I have no idea what I'm doing so pretty much any book will hit that mark.
The book is very light on details, but it's also very short and very easy to read. It took me two bus rides and I was done with it. Good way to tell the wife (or FPP as this book likes to call her) that I finished a "Dad Book" so that I don't look like a lunk.
The book is very light on details, but it's also very short and very easy to read. It took me two bus rides and I was done with it. Good way to tell the wife (or FPP as this book likes to call her) that I finished a "Dad Book" so that I don't look like a lunk.
February 13, 2008
I got this for Josh and I read it too. I thought it put things simply and in an interesting army fashion so that he knew what was happening, what to expect from the labor and the new baby and wasn't reading a girly book.
April 30, 2013
Good and fun,easy read for new dads. I read this when my girlfriend was pregnant, and there was a rule that made me laugh and stuck with my throughout those moments of mood swings that Natasha had. BCF Be Cool Fool hahahaha.
January 26, 2009
Quick read that is very entertaining yet informative. If you're an expecting father and are not into reading but feel like you need to read something, this is definitely your book!!
February 20, 2010
Very entertaining. Not very deep, for those of us who want all the technical details, but a very good starter book.
August 4, 2011
What a RIOT!
December 20, 2011
Although the book lacks a lot of detail, the book is helpful and the humor helps fly through the material.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews