So You're Going to Be a Dad cover art

So You're Going to Be a Dad

25th Anniversary Edition

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

So You're Going to Be a Dad

By: Peter Downey
Narrated by: Peter Downey
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

Dr. Peter Downey knows babies and fatherhood, and his best-selling book - now in this 25th anniversary edition - helps first time dads prepare for what’s coming their way...with a grain of salt and a smile on their face. Fully revised and updated, and packed with useful information and wry humour, he explores the joys and trials of new parenting, including:

  • Navigating pregnancy and childbirth
  • Dealing with nappies, travel cots and sleep deprivation
  • Avoiding topics that will ruin a dinner party
  • Living with a baby in your home
  • Getting the gear you need (and skipping the stuff you don’t)
  • Surviving the latest apps, tech and the online parenting world
  • Coping with sex (or the lack thereof)
  • And most importantly, how to be the best damned dad you can be

New to this edition is a foreword by Mark Scott, an updated glossary of handy words new dads need to know (and some they don’t), a new and improved list of films to watch (and those to avoid), as well as updated "then" and "now" words of wisdom from other ordinary Aussie fathers. So You’re Going To Be a Dad remains Australia’s most engaging, reassuring, and down-to-earth book for new dads.

©1994, 2016, 2020 Peter Downey (P)2020 Simon & Schuster Australia Fatherhood Parenting & Families Relationships Sexual Health Pregnancy
All stars
Most relevant  
This is such a well written book, entertaining and informative for those of us soon to be dads

Great read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The way he explained things was just great, with very serious topics emphasized and where he could, he would lighten the mood.

I am thankful that I was able to listen to this as it has taught me a few things I didn't know (or even think of) and will definitely use.

A very enjoyable experience

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good read for a New to be dad! Would recommend. Alot of interesting things that I never knew.

Good read for a New to be dad!, would recommend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
My wife and I are expecting our first soon, she came to me one day and told me to listen to this and prepare. I'm not uneducated when it comes to the world but listening to this has given me a couple of new things to think about. The term nipple butter previously would have been a source of joy or excitement but now it comes with a wince. This has also guided me on how to be a good support partner and that sometimes even a small thing like cleaning the kitchen could mean the world to a sleep deprived wife.

A perfect read for first time dads

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Good practical advice. In my opinion, the author is not as funny as he may consider himself, and I had trouble getting through the hunour which are attached to every other sentence. I could only listen for short intervals and eventually gave up and asked ChatGPT to summarise the advice without the jokes. The book has been popular for a long time though, so others probably enjoy his sense of humour and writing style more than me.

Good advice, would benefit from 50% less jokes

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
This was a great listen, I'm due to be a dad any day now and I feel much more well informed having listened to this book

Informative and entertaining

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
had some insightful information but I could really feel his views as I listened to the book. still worth a listen though.

story based

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
loved the little jokes thrown in, will probably read again. I learned a fair bit from this book

Funny and informative!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An informative book that didn't take itself too seriously considering the subject matter. Found myself laughing along with tales of midnight cravings and exploding nappies along with plenty of useful tips and advice.

Witty and informative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I’m really not sure if this book is just what I needed right now, or whether it relates to all dads-to-be, but damn!
All the topics I need to know about, spliced with real talk & a bit of humour, some of which you really have to be listening to pick up on.
Such a great book, I spoke to my partner for at least an hour about it & that was only half way through!
Highly recommend, so many tips & short deep dives into a lot of stuff we need to know/look in to as expecting dads & well put together. Wouldn’t be surprised if I listened to the whole thing again.

Don’t feel so alone after listening to this! Great listen!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.