New Dad Starter Kit
The best books and resources I had (or wish I Had) when my daughter was born
When I first became a dad, I had no idea what I needed—or what I didn’t. There’s so much focus on getting mom and baby ready (rightfully so), but very few people talk about what dads might want in their own corner of the delivery room, home, or diaper bag.
So I put together this New Dad Starter Kit: a comprehensive list of the supplies for you, baby, and mom that helped me show up and stay sane during those chaotic early weeks of fatherhood.
Whether you’re a dad-to-be or shopping for one, this list is a solid place to start.
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All Stages | Pregnancy | 0-6 Months | 6-12 months | 12-24 months | 2-4 years | 4+ years
All Stages
Fair Play by Eve Rodsky
This documentary, book, card deck & spreadsheet is a revolutionary system of household management that ensures equity and minimizes duplication. It will save your marriage and both of your sanity! There is no wrong time to implement the system, the sooner the better!
Boundless Parenting by Ben Greenfield
Prominent biohacker and Influencer Ben Greenfield interviewed 14 powerful entrepreneurs and experts on their unique approaches to parenting. This covers everything from birth to schooling, from discipline to diet. It’s an easy one to read or listen to in segments.
Pregnancy
First 40 Days by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger
This is the best resource I found to help you prepare for the first 40 days after baby is born, what’s typically called the fourth trimester or the postpartum period. There are no words to describe how challenging this period is, and you’re absolute best shot at rocking it is to plan well!
The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth by Genevieve Howland
This amazing resource takes you stage by stage through the pregnancy and birth process to give you quick tips and tricks for a natural approach to each period.
Real Food for Pregnancy: The Science and Wisdom of Optimal Prenatal Nutrition by Lily Nichols
She’s eating for two, so might as well get her the best nutrition! This book draws on the most modern understanding of nutrition, emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods over conventional dietary guidelines to ensure a mama’s diet is the best it can be.
The Better Baby Book: How to Have a Healthier, Smarter, Happier Baby by Lana Asprey and Dave Asprey
Written by the wife of prominent biohacker Dave Asprey, this book draws on the most modern and cutting-edge techniques for optimizing fertility, pregnancy, and early childhood development through nutrition, detoxification, supplementation, and stress management.
0-6 Months
First 40 Days by Heng Ou, Amely Greeven, Marisa Belger
If you didn’t find this resource before the baby came, now is the time! It will give you concrete strategies for navigating this very challenging period. It’s hard for everyone but you don’t have to do it alone or with no tools!
The AfterBirth Plan™ by Informed Pregnancy Project
It is definitely not too late to take this online course and help make a clear and implementable plan to navigate this challenging and disruptive period.
Informed Pregnancy + by Informed Pregnancy Project
This is your go-to online streaming platform for hundreds of videos and other resources that navigate every stage of the new parenthood cycle.
How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn
While this book is explicitly written for new moms, I found it incredibly useful for understanding the specific ways my behavior can trigger my partner and concrete strategies we can use to work together to improve the dynamic.
6-12 Months
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care by Sally Fallon Morell and Thomas S. Cowan
This is the bible on natural approaches to all things babies and children. Written from the framework of the West a Price foundation, it takes it ancestral approach and Kahn contains amazing how to guides.
This is an online course created by prominent Nutritionist Influencer Kelly LeVeque, using her signature Fab Four framework: protein, fat, fiber, and greens. The course helps you balance nutrition to support blood sugar stability, microbiome health, and overall development during the critical first 1,000 days of life. Including recipes and meal plans!
12-24 Months
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury
I think every toddler parent should read this book. It is the step-by-step guide on how to deal with the constant big feelings and toddlers, and set healthy boundaries without any kind of shame, punishment, or reward.
Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities -- From the Very Start by Magda Gerber and Allison Johnson
This is the signature book by Magda Gerber introducing the RIE (Resource for Infant Educators) model of parenting that allows for maximum freedom and exploration that is both easier for parents and encourages more independence.
Winning the Toddler Stage - Big Little Feelings
This is an incredible series of short online videos that can be watched in order or as needed. It is your clear step-by-step guide on dealing with toddler tantrums in a way that is both easier for you and encourages healthy emotional development. This was a massive game-changer for Serenity.
Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right by Jamie Glowacki
22 months is the optimal time to start potty training and this simple, no nonsense method worked great for us. In addition to a book, they have a series of videos on their website and even offer phone consultations.
2-4 Years
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
This is an oldie but a goodie. It is written in a graphic novel style with pictures and outlines, making it super easy to implement right away. Lots of very simple tactics to create intentional communication habits that will set you up for a great relationship with your kid in the long run.
Smart Discipline(R): Fast, Lasting Solutions for Your Child's Self-Esteem and Your Peace of Mind by Larry J. Koenig
This approach to behavior modification works very well alongside Natural consequence behavior techniques like RIE. Starting at age 3, you can use this simple process to help motivate your kid to do or stop doing certain behaviors when natural consequences aren’t applicable. This was a game changer for getting Della to do things like get in the car, put her shoes on, etc.
4+ Years
Smart Discipline(R): Fast, Lasting Solutions for Your Child's Self-Esteem and Your Peace of Mind by Larry J. Koenig
This approach to behavior modification works very well alongside Natural consequence behavior techniques like RIE. Starting at age 3, you can use this simple process to help motivate your kid to do or stop doing certain behaviors when natural consequences aren’t applicable. This was a game changer for getting Della to do things like get in the car, put her shoes on, etc.
How Children Learn by John Holt
This is a really nice summary of the data showing how the current school system does not support optimal Child Development and learning, and explains why homeschooling or other alternative schooling methods create better lifelong success.
The Sovereign Child: How a Forgotten Philosophy Can Liberate Kids and Their Parents by Aaron Stupple
Get ready to have your mind blown with this radical child raising theory! It makes the case that a total freedom approach is better for the long-term development of your child and is actually easier for parents to implement. We adopted these principles at age 6 with Della and have had great success so far.
Final Thoughts
No list can prepare you for everything you might face as a new dad, but having a few tools on hand makes a huge difference in how supported, confident, and dadicated you feel. Use what works for you. Toss what doesn’t. Add what helps.
And don’t forget, the most important thing you can do as a new dad is just be present.
Got something you think should be on the list? Let us know.
