"The New Father" by Armin A. Brott

We have many titles about newborns for parents together or mothers alone. Not so many for just the fathers, though! This book was a lifesaver for me as a new dad in 2021. Having made it through the 15-month mark, I can safely say that we succeeded in keeping our now toddler alive! Partially, thanks to "The New Father," keeping me sane for the first year.

You don't have to read the whole book in one sitting. Instead, you'd better read it chapter by chapter to prepare for a specific month of the newborn. The book consists of 12 chapters about each month and an extra chapter on what's next.

I also wouldn't recommend reading only this book. Instead, use it as a reference or the safe "man-cave haven," where it's just you and the author — and nobody else. One has to nurture these rare moments of solitude during the first 12 months with a new human being.

The author comes in strong with lively anecdotes and plenty of humour. Sometimes men feel pretty alone after their first child is born — and "The New Father" acts as a new, more knowledgeable friend that assures you that everything will be alright and that everyone has problems similar to yours.

I know there are groups in Vancouver for new dads where you can come and mingle with peers, but I never ended up attending one. After all, finding a time spot for such an activity with an already booked-up calendar is pretty challenging!

I thoroughly enjoyed the passages on "What's going on with the baby?" and "What's going on with the mother?". They brought me confidence and helped me overcome common pitfalls during challenging times.

However, take the advice from the book with a grain of salt. Even though it is based on other books and research, some information gets outdated quickly. So check your sources! But mostly, it's ok.

Overall, I'd recommend picking up this book if you just had your first child and are a dad. The author offers a unique perspective on the baby business, which is a little more suitable for fathers.