The New Dad's Survival Guide: Man-to-Man Advice for First-Time Fathers
Mactavish presents a useful-though by no means comprehensive-guide for any dad-to-be who doesn't care about details and just wants to learn what's going to happen when his partner gives birth and how he should go about changing a diaper. The author is no doctor; he's "just a dude who's been through it twice," and his lingo-"BCF" means "be cool, fool" (borrowed from Mr. T.); "FPP" is your "female parenting partner"; an "NFU" is a "new family unit"-is appropriately casual. The book covers the most basic of parenting skills from birth through three months, with a few toddler tips thrown in. It's humorous (or insensitive, depending on one's point of view) in its approach. For example, on postpartum depression, Mactavish warns "PPD is a beaucoup serious condition that can have a devastating effect on the FPP." Although most of the book's advice seems quite obvious, tips on assisting a partner in labor ("offer backrubs on a consistent basis"), helping a baby pass gas (or "dislodge an air biscuit") and preventing diaper rash ("keep the butt dry after bathing") will be of use to any new father.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.