Show Dad How (Parenting Magazine): The Brand-New Dad's Guide to Baby's

SHOW DAD
HOW
SHOW DAD
HOW
THE NEW DAD’S GUIDE
TO BABY’S FIRST YEAR
SHAWN 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
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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
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35
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42
43

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
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play
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
4
3
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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 pizza
ser 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.
3
hr
1 c
(240 ml) juice
2 packets
gelatin
1 c
(240 ml)
juice
remove stubborn stains
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, 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.
2–3
min
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.
remove stubborn stains