The Playbook

The First-Year Dad Playbook

Everything on this site, turned into one printable plan you can actually follow, from the positive test to the first birthday. 57 pages of roadmaps, checklists, scripts and trackers.

30-day money-back guarantee. Secure checkout by Stripe. Instant PDF download.

Cover of The First-Year Dad Playbook

The problem with being a new dad in 2026

There's no shortage of information. There's a shortage of a plan. You get a firehose of week-by-week facts, conflicting advice from relatives, and an app that tells you the baby is the size of a cantaloupe. What you don't get is the answer to the question that matters: what should I be doing right now, and what's next?

The Playbook is that plan. It's written dad to dad, checked against guidance from the AAP, ACOG, CDC and NHTSA, and designed to print, pin to the fridge, and check off.

What's inside

  1. pp. 4The Family RecordOne page for birth details, where your records are, health information, milestone dates and growth from birth to age 6, ready for school and doctor sign-ups.
  2. pp. 5-10The RoadmapPregnancy to the first birthday on six pages: what matters in each stage and your jobs, in order.
  3. pp. 11-22The ChecklistsTrimester checklists, the 36-week readiness check, hospital bags, home and safe sleep setup, car seat install, gear need-vs-skip, babyproofing by phase, and the first week home.
  4. pp. 23-28Money, Insurance and the WillDeadlines that cost money if missed, a first-year budget worksheet, leave planning, life insurance sizing, and a will and guardian worksheet.
  5. pp. 29-36Scripts for Hard ConversationsWord-for-word openers for asking for leave, setting visitor rules, splitting chores, money talks, "I’m worried about you," "I’m not okay," and safe sleep with grandparents.
  6. pp. 37-40Birth Day Field GuideWhen to call and when to go, your job in each stage of labor, comfort measures, if plans change, and a cut-out wallet card.
  7. pp. 41-44The Sleep Survival PlanNight-shift templates, the night station, safe sleep rules, sample days by age, and a plan for when the crying gets to you.
  8. pp. 45-48The Postpartum Support GuideHer recovery and warning signs, baby blues vs. postpartum depression, how to help every day, and who to call.
  9. pp. 49-57Printable TrackersFeeding, diapers, sleep, growth and checkups, milestones, fever and medicine, an emergency contact sheet, and a weekly dad check-in.

A look inside

  • Playbook page: the second trimester roadmap with dad jobs listed by weekThe Roadmap: second trimester
  • Playbook page: a script for asking your manager for paternity leaveScripts: asking for leave
  • Playbook page: night-shift templates for splitting newborn nightsSleep plan: shift templates
  • Playbook page: a printable 24-hour feeding and diaper trackerTrackers: feeds and diapers

It's for you if

  • You're expecting (any trimester) or have a baby under a year.
  • You want a plan, not a pile of articles.
  • You like checklists, or need one.
  • You want to take a real share of the work, and know what that looks like.
  • You want words ready for the hard conversations: leave, money, visitors, mental health.

It's not for you if

  • You're looking for medical advice. Your providers are your source for that.
  • You've already read everything on this site and made your own plan. Honestly, nice work.
  • You want a hardcover book. This is a printable PDF.

30-day, no-questions refund

If it isn't useful, reply to your download email within 30 days and we'll refund you. You don't need to explain. Refund policy.

Questions

What format is the Playbook?

A 57-page PDF designed for letter-size paper. Read it on your phone, or print the checklists, scripts and trackers.

How do I get it after I pay?

Right after checkout you land on a page with your download link. If email is set up for your order, we also email you a link that works for 7 days, and you can request a fresh link any time.

Is this different from the free website?

The site explains things week by week. The Playbook turns it into one plan you can act on: a single roadmap, ready-to-use checklists, word-for-word scripts for hard conversations, a sleep plan, a postpartum support guide and printable trackers, with no ads.

Is it medical advice?

No. Like the site, it is general information based on guidance from organizations like the AAP, ACOG and CDC, with sources listed. Your providers come first.

What if I don’t like it?

Email us within 30 days for a full refund. No forms, no questions.

Can I buy it as a gift?

Yes. Buy it, then forward the download email or the file to the dad-to-be. It is licensed for one household.

Get the whole first year on one plan

Already bought it? Get your download link again.

$17