show dad how

SHOW DAD HOW

SHOW DAD

HOW THE NEW DAD’S GUIDE TO BABY’S FIRST YEARSHAWN BEAN

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

inform the neighborhood

keep visits short and sweet

introduce baby to pets

hold a baby

swaddle a baby

identify baby personalities

read baby’s 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

44454647484950515253545556 57

5859606162636465666768697071

deal

know you’re 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

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

123456789

10111213141516171819202122

232425262728293031323334353637383940414243

prep

baby care

pregnancy planning

fun and games

stimulate baby’s 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

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

114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128

129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143

play

7273747576777879808182838485

8687888990919293949596979899

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 baby’s poo

stock your diaper bag

handle diaper disasters

use baby stuff in everyday life

sponge-bathe a newbor n

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

100101102103104105106107108109110111112113

fake a fantastic dinner

dine out with baby

deal with a fussy eater

soothe a crying baby

troubleshoot an infant’s 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

144145146147148149150151152153154155156

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

16

48

24

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 didn’t

say, “Luke, I am your dad.”

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.

a note from shawn

power through the market

deliver a baby in the subway

write a daddy bucket list

77

72

Because dad is on his own journey, he needs his

own guidebook—but not one of those parenting

tomes with hundreds of pages of tiny type.

And so Show Dad How, packed with easy-

to-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

she’s 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 baby’s poops? We thought you’d 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 didn’t go to the hospital during my father’s

delivery. My father sat in the waiting room when I was born. I

held my wife’s 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

rig a phone as a baby monitor

1 2

43

140 142

139 141

90

Go on safa r i.Add animal cr acker s.

S t r ap baby in.A r r ange f inger foods.

go on an animal cr acker safa r i

Pour into ungr eased pan. R efr iger ate until set. Cut and r emove shapes. Eat and enjoy.

Mix juice and gelatin. Heat addi tional juice. Combine juices. S tir until gelatin dissolves.

Ba ke, slice, and ser ve.Get sill y wi th toppings.Spr inkle on cheese.Spr ead sauce on pi t as.

cr eate fun gelatin shapes

snack on a pi t a pizzaser ve gr een eggs and ham

Ser ve wi th chopped ham.Cook thor oug hl y.Add gr eens; scr amble.Mix eggs wi th food color ing.

3hr

1 c (240 ml) juice

2 packets gelatin

1 c (240 ml) juice


how to use this bookIn 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, you’ll need a little extra infor mation to get it done right. Here’s how we present those facts.

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

1 c (240 ml)

3 ft (1 m)

ZOOMS These little circles zoom in on a step’s important details, or depict the step’s crucial “don’ts.”

90

ICON GUIDE Throughout the book, handy icons show you just how it’s done. Here are the icons you’ll encounter.

Check out the timer to lear n how much time a relatively short task takes.

2–3min

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:

• 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 baby’s reach. Any item smaller than 1¾ 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 it’s appropriate for your child’s level of development. Use writing and crafts materials that are nontoxic and have been approved for your child’s 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.

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, you’re probably safe inventing a fairy tale (#153).

CROSS-REFERENCES When one thing just leads to another, we’ll point it out. Follow the links for related or interesting infor mation.

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.

Repeat the depicted action the designated number of times.

Phew—fumes! Open a window before perfor ming this activity.

Follow the * symbol to lear n more about the how and why of the given step.

TOOLS Everything you’ll 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.
