SHOW DAD HOW

SHOW DAD

HOW

THE NEW DADS GUIDE TO BABYS FIRST YEAR SHAWN BEAN

prep
pregnancy planning
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 know youre ready prepare to impregnate get in position to conceive try for a boy try for a girl comprehend conception identify the signs of pregnancy receive the news survive couvade syndrome demystify your brain be a superdad expect body changes read a sonogram track baby development make a 40-week plan power through the market help curb cravings enjoy some alone time together serve a mocktail book a babymoon draw her a bath select an aphrodisiac 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 do it while pregnant write a daddy bucket list stencil with style prep the nursery make wooden blocks make a mobile light up the nursery baby-proof a home announce the news create a baby blog pick a stroller or carrier customize your car name your baby find a pediatrician make your baby stand out create a custom iron-on connect with unborn baby spot the approach of labor dress for the hospital pack for the hospital make a delivery plan

baby care

deal
44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 be a superdad during labor learn the phases of labor understand vaginal birth understand a c-section deliver a baby in the subway engage in an elevator delivery make a musical entrance go for a game-show birth deliver during the apocalypse decipher newborn markings marvel at newborn tricks announce the news by air make a halftime proclamation toast to your new baby 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 inform the neighborhood keep visits short and sweet introduce baby to pets hold a baby swaddle a baby identify baby personalities read babys cues hang with a hipster dad spot a nervous dad chill with an eco dad play with a big-kid dad be good to mom give mom a break use a phone to be a better dad

fun and games

72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85

rig a phone as a baby monitor use your phone to escape offer nursing support minimize spit-ups burp a baby mix formula the right way store and thaw breast milk bottle-feed your baby deal with a diaper change decipher babys poo stock your diaper bag handle diaper disasters use baby stuff in everyday life sponge-bathe a newbor n

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99

bathe a baby clip nails safely prevent diaper rash dress a baby remove stubborn stains soup up your stroller stock the trunk travel by plane distract baby at the store entertain baby in an audience keep baby calm in a long line put baby to work at the office fake a clean house make a baby mop

100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113

fake a fantastic dinner dine out with baby deal with a fussy eater soothe a crying baby troubleshoot an infants sleep set a bedtime routine fake it through the day get fit anywhere love the stroller lunge practice peekaboo crunches build your biceps with baby twist with your toddler reimagine romance get back to doing it

play
114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 stimulate babys development help baby crawl encourage walking make baby laugh play peekaboo stimulate early vision tackle tummy time shape up with a sit-up practice the rollover execute an elbow stand work out the wheelbarrow enjoy a daddy playdate suit up for the playground build language skills teach baby sign language 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 play airplane make time for ticktock make household items fun hang out with baby conquer a ninja obstacle course observe movement milestones take a spring stroll have fun in the summer sun fall into autumn adventure go for a winter wander serve green eggs and ham go on an animal cracker safari snack on a pita pizza create fun gelatin shapes mold some mud pies 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 build a sand castle make bathtime fun paint in the snow paint with baby food grow and learn with bubbles create a craft stick puzzle build boxcars and more make your own book read a book together invent a fairy tale make shadow puppets build a time capsule draw a treasure map

a note from shawn

I am a father, and that means nothing. I am a dad, and that means everything. Anyone can be a father, and anyone has for about 50,000 years (fertility is the only requirement). But being a dad requires a much higher level of perseverance, dedication, and excellence. There are musicians, and there are stars. There are soldiers, and there are warriors. There are fathers, and there are dads. Darth Vader said, Luke, I am your father. He didnt say, Luke, I am your dad.

16

power through the market

48

deliver a baby in the subway

To help convert more fathers to dads, I created a book specifically for us. Why? Because moms and dads come into the parenting process in completely different ways. The mother-baby connection begins long before the water breaks. Mom makes conscious diet and lifestyle decisions during the conception and gestation periods. For dad, the connection largely begins in the delivery room. In other words, when the baby is born, dad is on Day 1, and mom is on Day 462.

24

write a daddy bucket list

Because dad is on his own journey, he needs his own guidebookbut not one of those parenting tomes with hundreds of pages of tiny type. And so Show Dad How, packed with easyto-follow, step-by-step illustrations, was born. (Natural delivery, by the way. No epidural or c-section needed.) This is the book I wish I had when my first kid was born. You no longer have to worry about what your wife can eat when shes pregnant (#16), what it takes to baby-proof a home (#30), or what to pack for the hospital (#42). But this book goes well beyond the basics. Do you know how to rig a phone as a baby monitor? We can help (#72). Wish you had a color chart for your babys poops? We thought youd never ask (#81). Is she going into labor on the subway? We can help with that too (#48). From mixing formula (#77) to making a daddy bucket list (#24), Show Dad How has you covered. My grandfather didnt go to the hospital during my fathers delivery. My father sat in the waiting room when I was born. I held my wifes leg as my sons, Jackson and Tanner, came into the world. The modern dad is still evolving, and needs information and enlightenment to keep doing so. Think of Show Dad How as an illustrated instruction manual for the second most important job in the history of mankind.
mix formula the right way

77

rig a phone as a baby monitor

72

how to use this book

In the pages that follow, virtually every piece of essential infor mation is presented graphically. In most cases the pictures do, indeed, tell the whole story. In some cases though, youll need a little extra infor mation to get it done right. Heres how we present those facts.

139

ser ve gr een eggs and ham

snack on a pi t a pizza
remove stubborn stains

141

90

Mix eggs wi th food color ing.

Add gr eens; scr amble.

Cook thor oug hl y.

Ser ve wi th chopped ham.

Spr ead sauce on pi t as.

Spr inkle on cheese.

Get sill y wi th toppings.

Ba ke, slice, and ser ve.

140
1

go on an animal cr acker safa r i

2
1c (240 ml) juice 2 packets gelatin 1c (240 ml) juice

cr eate fun gelatin shapes

142

A r r ange f inger foods.

S t r ap baby in.

Mix juice and gelatin.

Heat addi tional juice.

Combine juices.

S tir until gelatin dissolves.

hr

Add animal cr acker s.

Go on safa r i.

Pour into ungr eased pan.

R efr iger ate until set.

Cut and r emove shapes.

Eat and enjoy.

ZOOMS These little circles zoom in on a steps important details, or depict the steps crucial donts.

MEASUREMENTS When measurements matter, find them right in the box.

1c (240 ml) 3 ft (1 m)

ICON GUIDE Throughout the book, handy icons show you just how its done. Here are the icons youll encounter.
Check out the timer to lear n how much time a relatively short task takes. The calendar shows how many days, weeks, or months an activity requires. Look to the ther mometer to lear n the temperature needed for a given action.

TOOLS Everything youll need to perfor m an activity appears in the toolbars. Having a hard time deciphering an item? Tur n to the tools glossary in the back of the book.

23
min

Repeat the depicted action the designated number of times.

Phewfumes! Open a window before perfor ming this activity. Follow the * symbol to lear n more about the how and why of the given step.

SAFETY NOTES When doing the ac tivities in this book, always take care to ensure that you and your child are safe. Keep these guidelines in mind:
CROSS-REFERENCES When one thing just leads to another, well point it out. Follow the links for related or interesting infor mation.
remove stubborn stains

During and after pregnancy, Mom should consult a physician before attempting any activity involving physical exer tion, or whenever her condition could impair or limit her ability to engage in an activity. Stay conscious of her limits and help out with strenuous tasks. Do not leave your child unattended, even for a brief moment, during any activity. Be particularly cautious when participating in any activity involving water because of the risk of drowning. Keep small items, such as coins and candy, out of babys reach. Any item smaller than 1 inches (4.5 cm), even a latex balloon or piece of paper, is a choking hazard. A good rule of thumb: if it can fit through a toilet paper roll, it is not safe for play. Also make sure that any string is no longer than 7 inches (18 cm). Never leave your baby unattended with ribbons or strings, as they could pose a str angulation hazard. Before tr ying an ac tivity, assess whether its appropriate for your childs level of development. Use writing and crafts materials that are nontoxic and have been approved for your childs age. See #30 for tips on making your home safer for baby; for example, remove crib mobiles once your baby can push up onto hands and knees.

90

All infor mation in this book has been carefully researched and fact-checked. However, the publisher makes no war ranty, express or implied, that the infor mation is appropriate for every (or any!) individual, situation, or purpose, and assumes no responsibility for er rors or omissions. You assume the risk and full responsibility for all your actions, and the publishers will not be held responsible for any loss or damage of any sort, whether consequential, incidental, special, or otherwise that may result from the infor mation presented. Just between us, though, youre probably safe inventing a fairy tale (#153).