And Advice on First-Year Maintenance (Owner's and Instruction Manual)

easy read and loaded with facts. several other books i read tried to go the humorous route which i understand, but didn't find nearly as useful. not that this book is dry, but it gets into the details (e.g., did you know you should keep any humidifiers at least 4 feet away from the crib to prevent bacteria growth? i didn't. and the 3 books i read before this one didn't mention it either).

well worth the read. lots of helpful charts and tables at the back if you are intent on tracking baby's daily activities. not sure how i was supposed to be able to print them from the kindle version, but i suppose i could have figured something out if the need arose.

Like so many other things in life (barber vs. hairdresser, SUV vs. minivan, laptop bag vs. backpack) it's not the material, it's the presentation. This is a book that gives a dad the information he'll want, yet protects the father from having to dig through a cutesy book to find the answers. I hope that made sense; I'm having a bad grammar day.

got this baby owners manual as an item to include in a gift box to announce my pregnancy to my boyfriend (both of our first child) it's funny & sarcastic (we have a sense of humor) i say that because i read a few reviews that bashed it for being "offensive" (SQUARES!!) the best part was that it was actually VERY informational, especially for us as first time parents. bet your ass I'm gonna toss this bad boy in the diaper bag in case of emergencies. great buy, you wont be disappointed. very fun gift. --- in case you're wondering, i also included a card with the pregnancy test results, and a darth vader tshirt that read "#1 dad". I'm due august 2016 and he currently has this as restroom break reading material (MEN?!)

I got it for an expecting couple, and it brought smiles to their faces as they glanced through it after unwrapping it---I think they'll really appreciate all the good info. which is presented in a clear and concise way---like you'd expect from a "manual".

My husband and I are are expecting our first child in a few months. I have a 7yr old, this is his first and bless his heart, he is clueless. This book is so wonderful for him. He is a mechanic so the fact that it humerously puts baby terms into car/mechanical/electrical terms helps him out in more ways than one.

Bought this for my partner (father of my newborn twins), he's a very technical guy, he loved this book. The way they make babies seem very technical was very amusing and engaging for him. I looked the book over too, I also found it amusing, but I was surprised at how accurate it was. The information in it was super useful. Great book, great gift.

Excellent book for first time parents. I knew nothing of babies and this books quirky style, but truly informative outline of the basics gave me valuable insight and confidence on all the basics. Having understood the basics, I was able to explore other books / writings on specific aspects - such as sleep training methods.

My younger sister is having the family's first grand daughter and I thought this book would be right up her alley. It's very informative, fun to read in a tech-geek sort of way, and a gift that everyone wants to take a look at during the baby shower. I have no plans on having children, but this book was fun, even for me, to read.

The book puts baby care and basic baby information in an easy to read format. It also provides a bit of humor which is a nice break from some of the other readings. This is a stressful time and it reminds you a little bit to have fun with the coming child. Plus I found it helpful to remember things that made me laugh a little bit.

I actually find the technical approach (referring to the baby as a "model" etc.) annoying, but the actually content of the book is pretty good. This was my first child, and I actually got a lot from this book. the illustrations are pretty good as well. If you can get past the "manual' type language (hey, they have to stand out in a crowded market of parenting books), then I think this will be helpful for first time parents. At the very least, get it froma library and look it over.

I was given this book and have since bought it for three friends having babies. This book (while humourous) provides common-sense instructions on everything from changing a diaper to swaddling a baby. This is a must read for new dads.

This book is incredibly well designed with excellent information. We gave it as a gift and the couple loved it! The husband actually said it was much better and far more fun to read than any other baby book he was perusing.

Baby shower gift for a first time mom, she absolutely loved it. Everyone says babies should come with owners manuals, and this does have some great info. Get it for the hilarious title, read it for the tips and guidance.

The Baby Owner's Manual takes a quality journey into the world of being a new parent. Much of it's common sense but if you give the book a good read you'll have a good laugh, and get some quality information that will likely make your life easier.

This is the perfect thing to alleviate worries for the first time father. Written in the format much like a auto mechanics how to book, this is a good read for the man who needs to know everything about what babies needs are. It an easy read, with diagrams that shows how to do it.

Good job Louis Borgenicht!

I bought this for my husband before my baby was born because we weren't able to attend prenatal classes. It's a cute, funny book but that's about it. It is easy to understand but it's just the basics (diaper changing, clothes, etc) and not other more important stuff you need to know.

I'm a computer programmer by day and my baby is coming. I had absolutely no clue what I was doing. I still don't. But at least now I've read a baby book that spoke my language. Now I feel that I can take on the "real" baby books and understand what they're talking about.

It's a fun book. Gets your feet wet with all that has to be done. Recommended.

The book reads a bit satirically -- think of your standard baby care book but written like a VCR manual. But it's actually useful information; we had our first child born recently, and it's been really useful to us. I've ended up buying copies for friends, too. Once you figure out a few of the slightly less obvious "terms" (like "service provider" for "doctor"), it's easy to read and avoids a lot of the editorializing and "my baby was this way" found in similar books. Worth the time.

Great basic manual for IT or military dads that do not know how to handle and operate a new baby in the first year. Very basic clean to follow instructions that only apply to the first year. Small size make it easy to fit in your pocket and is made of very high quality paper.

I think this book is for the major geek. I love the way it's laid out and the design is super cool. My husband and I just couldn't really get into it. This is our first child and we were looking more for a book with lots of useful information. This is pretty bare bones when it comes to a newborn baby. It's less informational and more, "this is how to keep your baby alive."

In reading many reviews I bought this book as a skeptic that I would have any interest in it. Honestly, I grew up on dry comedy and tough parents who always told me to grow a thick skin, so I didn't look at this book as the end all be all guide to new parenting; I looked at this book as a humoristic and geeky way to look at the extreme basics. I may not have learned a lot in reading this, but I did get some laughs relating to my technical manuals here and there. For the colicky newborn and understanding your spouse solutions i would suggest looking elsewhere, but for those who are looking for a little humor while reading a lot you may already know, it can still be funny!

Although we havent had time to really sit down and read this yet, I think it is too cute! Bought it for my husband for fathers day (we are expecting our first baby in Oct). He is a former mechanic and all-around handy guy so I thought the 'manual' aspect of this book was hilarious and relatable. He loved it. Its a great gift for parents-to-be that have a sense of humor.

I purchased this as a gift for new parents. It was for a coworker that is in the technology field. It was perfect for what we do and still good information written by a Phd. I didn't not read it but I was impressed with the way it was laid out and at a glance, looked good.

This book is informative for basic baby stuff. I've read it a few times. It is pretty neat how it works like a user manual. I only gave it four stars because I wish it had more material. I also like that the book is robust and has a section so you can record all your baby's info.

It reads just like an instruction manual so it's a little boring (why I did not give it five stars). However, for an expecting first time mom it broke down all the information I needed to know in an easy to understand (and easy to find) manner. I just wanted the basics (e.g. how much should my baby be eating at each stage of infancy and what are markers to tell they are getting enough food). Also had diagrams for things like how to swaddle and hold a baby if you really needed extra guidance.

There's a lot of info in here, but you'll probably forget it all and just wing it. I found a few tips but it's mostly just the writers stroking it with jokes and vague descriptions of baby stuff in the form of a technical book.

This is a really smart way to package valid and useful information for the first-time parent. Make it read like a car maintenance manual (for the men), make it funny (for men and women), and, as my SIL said after I gave it to her, "you learn stuff without even meaning to!" A great tool and a great gift.

I bought this as a gift for my techy brother who has a wife that is expecting (their first). it is actually full of good information (how to swaddle a baby, monitoring bowel movements, it even has sweet-looking growth charts). and it is presented in a fun format.

I love this book, along with the companion Maintenance Manual, it is full of useful information presented in a fun way. Not pedantic. Clever without being "cute". Something even the male parent will feel comfortable reading. I buy often as gifts for expecting parents.

I very much enjoy this book because it's written exactly how it says - like a manual. It adds a bit of humor into a subject that can raise a lot of emotion and stress because of all those things you just don't know :)

I'm a tech writer in electrical engineering and I buy this for every newly-expecting father in my group. It's a decently written tech manual complete with illustrations. It's humorous, but actually gives excellent information. There are other technical "baby manuals" out there, but this is by far my favorite.

A very entertaining baby book. I loved the humor of it and the diagrams. Perfect book for a first time parent and especially the dads out there. The only problem is some things aren't up to mark with current recommended guidelines. For example it says introduce cereal at 4 months when the current recommendation is 6 months. Otherwise it's great.

This book shouts nerd in the coolest way.

It's hard not to hear the narrator from the "hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" narrating the "instructions" that look like they're illustrated by the Ikea furniture assembly instructions.

I got the book as a gift for a friend... and it's a great book for more contemporary parents that aren't quite ready for the 500 page novel that is the traditional how to raise a baby book.

It doesn't have everything... but it's got enough to get new mom & dad started. Also a good conversation piece.

The language/tone/ style of the book is really fun and esasy to get but it's not a comprehensive/ elaborate book..
Do not expect full information on everything but you can read for fun and a brief summary of the topics..

The idea is hilarious and it's well written as a real owner's manual. Unfortunately I've already found some wrong information in there. And no, I'm not talking about vaccinations or any of that hot-button stuff. Can't even remember what it was, just know when I read that particular page I already knew the correct information.

After reading this adorable Baby Owner's Manual, I presented it to my daughter who is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at a NYS
hospital. She loves the book and refers to it often now that she is a new mother and likes the way the book gives a very
human approach rather that a clinical one.

Easy read and informative although a couple topics discussed in the book are very inaccurate (not just as an opinion). No doctor will tell you to sleep in the same bed as the baby. Not only can you roll over onto it but it increases the chance of SIDS. That part urked me.

Had this done in a few hours, it had some great advice and kinda dumbed down the whole baby thing and made it entertaining. I am giving it to my husband to read and hope it will make him feel better about being a first time dad.

Exactly what you need when you have so many questions about having a baby. It helps to have everything laid out so clearly. It is also funny - nothing like a sense of humor when you are frantically trying to figure out what to do.

This book is both serious and funny. I purchased it for myself because as a new dad and engineer I prefer things explained in a straight forward manner. I enjoyed the humor throughout the book as it took the edge off the fact that I am now going to have a little person that depends solely on my care. It is not the most comprehensive baby care book but it was readable and not overly sensitive. I also have seen my wife grabbing this book as it is a great quick reference guide and it makes her giggle. In summation if you want a 101 level baby care book that you will want to read I would strongly recommend this book, assuming you have a sense of humor about the whole baby experience.

Format is weird. Referring to my baby as "the model". He tries to be cute with making this sound like a product manual but it was just too odd for me to get through or take seriously... even though the information is good. Ended up reading through it quickly the first day and haven't picked it up since.

Not what I expected at all, I was expecting real advice, this was not it. Basically things most people know (like how to wipe a baby's bottom) in strange diagram instructions. Just not my sense of humor or what I wanted out of a baby book. I was looking for real helpful advice, not a joke book.

I got this book as something easy for my husband to read as we waited for our first baby to be born. It's clever in the way it's written and easy to read. However, I lost trust in it after seeing the section that explains how to have your baby sleep in your bed with you (along with a blanket). Most reputable sources say this is a big no-no. So I take the rest of their advice lightly...

I have been giving this book to male and female new parents for years. It is cleverly written and full of truly useful information. It has a very complete table of contents that enables one to pick and choose what you need to read when you need it. the writing style is addictive. Once you read the passage you wanted to read, it is difficult to put the book down again. It is quite engaging.

I've bought this book for all my friends when they have their first baby. It's especially a great gift for first pregnancies that weren't planned. The parents tend to be scared and a little overwhelmed; this delivers information in a very approachable way.

Good, useful, entertaining read. Provides all the basic know-how for taking care of a newborn in a brief and highly readable format.

Highly recommended, especially for first time dads who know nothing about taking care babies, as one of the first books to read before or immediately after the delivery.

I purchased this for my husband who is an engineer. He appreciates the terminology and the in for is great. I wish they had one that was about pregnancy as this is more about what to do once baby has arrived but its a great book.

The conceit of the title is, sadly, not carried through into the text consistently or deeply. So it's not nearly as funny as it should be. Which is unfortunate because my primary reason for grabbing this was the thought that a humorous presentation would make it easier to review and digest the information provided.

With that being said, the book is a decent overview of the basics you need to know to not accidentally kill or mutilate your baby during its first year of life. But there are much better, more in-depth resources (like Mayo Clinic's book) in the same price range.

I'm also deeply skeptical of a book written by two ostensible pediatricians that tries to hedge its bets on vaccinations by telling parents to do what "feels right" and to "follow their gut". No. Get your kid vaccinated so that they don't die, become a cripple, or hurt others by weakening herd immunity. The book's fundamental failure here definitely calls into question the validity of every other piece of advice it tries to give.

My wife and I are 6 months into our third child, and we have read several baby books previously. This one has more useful information, and even stuff that no one had told us or was in any of the half dozen books we previously read. It lays out problems and solutions very clearly and makes appropriate jokes, without insulting anyone's intelligence.

Let me repeat - I've read a half dozen baby books, and this one STILL had new and useful information, as well as covering all the information that was in the other books.

Get this if you have a child, are currently pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant.

Helpful book with lots of illustrations to depict what the author is trying to describe. Book does not cover pregnancy and labor, but everything that comes after that. I feel that the "owner's manual" tone/title is taken a little too far and to the detriment of the reader's enjoyment. The joke gets old after the first chapter and I think I would have read through the book sooner without it. I still plan on keeping this as a reference after our baby is born. It is a good supplement to the new dads class I took in person.

My husband just loves this. I gave it to him when we found out we were expecting and he has flipped through it numerous times and shows everyone that comes over. He definitely hasn't read it cover to cover but it is perfect for a quick reference and gives all sorts of great advice, written for guys.

I actually have owned this book for years, and recently purchased another copy to give to a friend (which I've done for a few like-minded friends over the years when they've had their first child).

However, I gave this three stars because it seems that since the first copy I purchased several years ago, they've gone and published an updated edition, so I picked up a second copy for myself. While I seem to remember the original being quite hilarious as well as being informative, now this just seems to only have a slight bit of humor at the beginning with a few allusions to this being similar to a car owner's manual (e.g. 'Your model may include..." and similar), but then it turns into a typical book with some decent information, but kind of looses the humor aspect.

Not that the information is bad... quite the contrary, some of the advice is actually quite helpful (such as a section with "what to do if" type scenarios). I need to find my original edition and do a direct comparison, but my wife and I both felt that there were some definite changes from what we remember from the first edition. There are plenty of informational books out there for new parents, but what we felt made this unique was the 'owner's manual' approach combined with a bit of good natured humor (such as diagrams with optimal placement of crying babies for surround sound) that seems to be lacking in this edition.

This was a little immature/condescending and went way too overboard with the whole "your baby is a car" theme. It was distracting. My husband had purchased this but didn't end up reading much beyond he first few chapters.

Since we found out we were pregnant my lovely boyfriend googles everything! Spends way too much time googling and researching every question that pops into his head. I figured this would be a nice little book he can read since he loves looking things up- every couple of days he thanks me for it.

Bought this for my husband for Christmas. He is not a reader so I thought the format of this book would keep his interest longer than a traditional baby book and I was right. He enjoyed it and has read most of it.

Well if you want to waste money on a cheesy book that doesn't have much substance do what I did and buy this book!

If you want a book that covers everything and is still going to be a great handy guide get the Mayo Clinic Baby's First Year book.

I did not find this book to be extremely helpful despite others stellar reviews. Main issue that I have with it is that the book is written as if it is a car manual. Comedy gets old real quick, and is a bit distracting when you want a simple explanation or idea of what you need to do. I wanted a more straightforward book, maybe something with proper pictures rather than basic illustrations. It is not a terrible book, and I may refer to it in the future, but for now I need to find a more legit guide.

I thought this would be a fun gift for my husband as we are first time parents and he is very diagram oriented. However, this book is very basic and not really very helpful at all. Would be ok if it was funny, but honestly, not even funny...wouldn't waste the money

When I was pregnant, I ordered a bunch of baby books to read before my baby got here. I was sorely disappointed with this one. Do not waste your money. It did not give any helpful information at all. This was my first child, and knew absolutely nothing about babies, but this book does not tell you anything more than a person with any common sense at all could figure out. Such as: "don't leave the baby alone on a changing table", the body parts of a baby, ect. It is a cute concept for a book, which was why I bought it in the first place, but it needs more detailed information in it. As it is written today, it is utterly useless. It literally gives you the absolute basics of being a parent, things that are common knowledge and that middle school age children would know about babies. If I could give this book zero stars, I would.

Although it is quirky & not a comprehensive source on parenting guidelines, this book is a very fun book to give to a first time dad. It pairs well with The Baby Owner's Games and Activities Book (Owner's and Instruction Manual). My husband, who is an engineer, enjoyed reading this book. He was able to quickly read it from cover-to-cover to get an overview on baby care. The book is visually appealing & well organized.

Unfortunately, some of the information is incorrect---like suggesting the use of a crib bumper (which you shouldn't use!). Please, do not use this book as your only source on parenting education!

Despite a few errors, it is a fun book for first time dads, and we recommend it as a cute gift.

My oldest of six kids is having his first in a few months. Having suffered through teaching him how to change the oil and do a brake job with Dad, this was an obvious choice. Absolutely hilarious, yet spot on advice for the first-time father. My son and his wife called to say "thank you" and were both cracking up as they read excerpts of the book - sorry, manual - to me.
Now if they could only write as hilarious a book for raising teenagers...

...this would be it. Great illustrations, and matter-of-fact baby care tips for the nerd slash type-A brain. Great gift for the first one on your team to start spawning child processes, if you know what I mean.

The book has lots of practical information, but it's "appliance's user manual" style gets irritating very fast. Also, it tries to cater to the anti-vax loons by recommending parents to "trust their instincts and intuition" when deciding to vaccinate their children, which is a irresponsible position.

This book is perfect for anyone that prefers instruction manuals over novels. It's rather entertaining to read and the diagrams are great. It doesn't feel like something you have to read cover to cover. You can just flip to the section you are currently interested in. There are no personal stories or random opinions...just facts put cleanly on each page. Definitely a fun, yet informative book.

Cute gimmick, so-so info. Includes info on sleeping with your child - a no-no for many years, and tells you do to your own research on vaccinations, which ignores all the information insisting you immunize your children.

I gave this book to my husband for xmas...it was suppose to be more of a joke gift because he works in IT, but he is constantly picking it up and reading it! He loves how it is written and cracks up laughing at the diagrams and wording. He absolutely LOVES it and let me tell you...my husband doesn't read anything! I was really shocked that he is actually getting a lot of use out of it! He was even taking it in stores when we were looking for newborn necessities because they provide a nice list. I HIGHLY recommend getting this book to any dad (especially computer geeks). Besides the great humor, it is actually very informative and we will be getting a lot of use out of it...probably the best baby book I've encountered, hands down!

My son just turned 1 month and naturally I have been progressing through this book and referencing when I can. It seems my baby is having a hard time pooping so I go to appendix, look up constipation, and it turns out I am missing 15 pages, information of which I need. It goes from page 192-209. The book isn't damaged, nor do the pages appear torn out, they are simply missing, which means this may be an occuring issue.

I'm a dad that works in IT. One could say I'm a logical problem solver. I read instructions from front to back with anything that requires assembly and teaching myself new skills is something that I have found myself doing every day as a man who works in IT, a father, and a husband.

This book gives logical point a to point b instructions on pretty much anything you run into as a new parent from changing diapers, to swaddling, feeding your newborn, and more. It reads like an instruction manual so some may find it offensive as it talks about babies as if they're a computer that needs troubleshooting with phrases like, "consult your unit's primary care physician". But in all honesty, I knew this book was right up my alley when I read said phrases. It refers to the parent as the user and the baby as the unit and although some content of this book is laughable, it's nice to know that all the details are covered.

Not only is this book great for new parents, but it is also a nice refresher. My wife and I just had our second baby, and I had to break out this book Just the other day to brush up on my burping techniques. I think I'll keep this around to show my kids how daddy made it through the first year or so of parenthood when they get older.

I provide solutions to complaints. That is my life as an IT guy, a husband, and a parent. If you are a technical dad or mom that is new to parenthood, do yourself a favor and buy this book. It will not only make your life easier, but it will give you guidance on a level you can relate to and make you laugh a little along the way.

I have a copy of this already - loved it when I was expecting - and I was planning to give this to a friend for her shower. Humorous baby book that reads like a car manual. One star off for shipping - it was fast, and arrived as expected, but the book was slightly crushed on the bottom and worn on the edges. Otherwise, the rest of book is flawless. When I purchase a new book though, I expect that it's in the best condition possible, especially if it's small, softcover, and lightweight. The items were really not packed very well. See my review on another baby book I purchased in the same shipment. Its condition was worse.

Bought and immediately returned after skimming the first few chapters. I'll give the authors credit for trying to convey actual information and not degrading the role of the father by implying they can't do anything right (as many books aimed at mothers will do), but it's just as degrading to the father to have everything about the baby referenced as a machine/computer part.

Humorously packaged as a vintage hardware appliance maintenance manual with clever illustrations, this book presents the key need-to-know information for expecting dads in a sleek and efficient format. The minimalist technical illustrations serve to entertain the reader, but also artfully provide streamlined infographics that present the essentials of baby care. Content-wise, this is best suited as an initial primer on infant care rather than a deep dive or medical tome. This is the perfect gift for new dads who are just starting to learn about their future responsibilities. A great companion gift for baby showers or to congratulate an expecting dad. Enjoyable fun read and highly informative for first-time parents.

The baby-as-machinery analogy is taken way too far. This book may have helpful information in it, but I couldn't stand reading it long enough to find out. Not even amusing enough to be a fun joke-y gift for expecting parents.

This is so funny! It really does have useful information, but I'm a mom twice over, so nothing in it was news to me. If I were to gift this to someone, it would be the dad-to-be.

As funny as it is, the graphics catch your eye and the information is laid out in a logical manner. It literally is an instruction book about babies. I think it would take out some of the mystery that usually scares guy silly.

One of the first things covered is "The Baby: Diagram and Parts List" and it goes on to talk about the head, hair, fontanels, eyes, etc. Just a quick description, but enough to let someone know what's coming. The only thing missing is the fact that they may lactate. Both my boys lactated a few days after birth. Totally weirded me out, thank GOD for Google! lol

But there are pictures, information, and lots of to-dos to prepare for the baby, how to hold the baby, how to feed the baby. You get the idea. I love that they call the pediatricians "service providers" and parents "users."

Best advice "Trust your own instincts and intuition." Yes, I really do think this is a good baby book...I mean Owner's Manual.

I gave this book to my niece, who is 3 months pregnant with her first baby, she told me she is very excited reading it, she said she went through the chapters and was amazed at how much information it goes through and that she really liked the graphics. I also think (because I read a few pages before buying it) that the way it is written it is fun and with lots of helpful hints for those first time parents. I also would like to add that even though there was a little problem with the mail carrier, the seller was very helpful and prompt to answer my emails.

This book presents the information like, well, an instruction manual. If the references to 'the baby's service provider' (pediatrician) and 'oral port' (mouth) annoy you, then this is not the book for you.

Beyond the gimmick, however, this is a great reference. Because it doesn't attempt a chatty, coffee klatch style, all the information is easily accessible. Most other baby books I own contain pages and pages of fluff. The fluff is entertaining while reading before Baby arrives, but when I go back to find the info I need, I have to skim through five ancedotes to find it.

With this book, the information may be dressed up in techno-speak, but it is concise, well-organized and easy to find. All of the basics like swaddling, feeding, and different sleeping techniques are included. Plus, there are some really great tips. I especially liked the advice to put a drop cloth under Baby's highchair. Another favorite: the matter-of-fact way the authors advised that putting saline drops in Baby's nose to loosen congestion would cause her to cry (wait for her to stop before attempting to suction the mucus) was actually comforting.

The presentation gets a little old, but still, this is my favorite baby book of the dozen I own.

I'm not a dad, YET, but my wife and myself will be TTC very soon. That said, I wanted to get a leg up on the whole baby thing and get as much knowledge as I could. I didn't want a book full of technical jargon that would just bore me. I absolutely LOVE the writing style of this book. For some odd reason, (and only my fellow gamer friends will get this reference), but I felt like it was written by the creators of Portal/Portal 2. I love how the author injects his sense of humor and refers to the baby as a new gadget or source of technology we just bought from the local Fry's or Best Buy.

I'm almost half way thru the book and felt I had to add to the numerous positive & well deserved reviews of this book.

If you are a clueless, first time, or soon-to-be dad, I would definitely recommend this. If nothing else, you'll get some chuckles along the way. Its very enjoyable and very informative. A+ in my book.

Unlike most baby books, this one is written in the style of an owner's manual like any other -- for a DVD player, TV, or other electronic equipment. This is an original idea that results in an entertaining presentation.

However, like other owner's manuals, it devotes very limited space, usually in numbered points, to cover any one specific item of content. While this actually makes it a very useful reference to review basic information, it also means it lacks depth and detail.

I felt the best part of this book were the pictures. There are some very useful diagrams -- everything from how to swaddle, length and weight charts, and suggested nursery layout, to burping, diapering and breastfeeding. All with stick-figures that keep extraneous detail out and focus on what's important.

I wouldn't have this as my only reference on baby care, but we're glad we got this as a shower gift. A welcome addition.

I purchased this elsewhere, but I absolutely love this book! It appeals to men, for sure, because it talks about care and preparation of a baby like it was a computer delivered to your door. Great coffee table humor, too! I'm never giving this book up, but I will buy extra copies in the future for other expectant parents.

Ok, 7 months in with our new baby and we still find this book amusing. My wife and I have an appreciation for the book's satirical descriptions of dealing with the child as 'a unit'. We regularly joke with each other about the book's references to dealing with your unit properly or else it will malfunction. Keep it clean or it'll malfunction, if food disagrees it may malfunction, etc. Our little boy had a couple of episodes of throwing up and it really helped to have a bit of humor to fall back on while helping him get better (and clean up the MESS!).

So if you're looking for a touchy-feely handholding guide, full of nurturing rhetoric, this is not the book for you. But if you can appreciate a bit of no-nonsense advice mixed with some humor then it's definitely a book to get (or give to friends, as we've done).

For a first-time father-to-be I am very thankful for this book. I can't say this book is intentionally for men, but the authors' approach to writing is very accessible for technologically-inclined people. It has a wonderful sense of humor and is very informative. I am glad I read this book. I would recommend getting a *print* copy of the book versus the digital edition as there are a number of pages to copy from the appendices.

Loved the book. Though a lot of the material may be common sense, it is refreshing to read and just a get a better handle on the whole baby thing. As a new father, it really helped me out. My wife seemed to picks up on the baby stuff naturally but this book was a great read for me, and really, my wife even found useful info too.

I bought this for my husband and he actually found it beneficial. This book covers all the necessities and cuts to the chase (with some humor added for good measure). There isn't any fluff or exaggeration/opinions and is perfect for people who just want the facts. This is our first baby and we've found that most literature talks about the extremes of pregnancy an caring for a baby instead of describing the facts and issues that the majority of people will face. This book was a refreshing change from the typical baby books.

I loved the Baby Owner's Manual, which is a tongue-in-cheek quick reference guide. Its not really a sit down and read kind of book, but more the book you refer to during those moments when you are tired and suddenly can't remember how to do things like wrap a swaddle/take baby's temperature/give baby a bath. Sleep deprivation and general new parent panic makes this book invaluable - if you're trying to find simple, clear instructions on how to do something at 3am, you do not want to wade through a regular book looking for them amongst the in-depth explanation of the history of whatever it is. You open this book and there is a clear simple diagram and instructions. Very helpful! The tongue-in-cheek style does get a bit wearing after a while, but its still a great reference guide.

Kind of silly if you buying it for any other purpose than a "cute" gift. It is written in a humorous, funny way that got hubby and I grinning and excited about the birth of our babies. For actual how-to info though, it's just ok. Hubby lost interest after about page 12, and now it is collecting dust on our bookshelf. If you are looking for a gift for a dad-to-be though, this is a great little book to consider buying.

THE BABY'S OWNER'S MANUAL by Louis Borgenicht, MD and his son Joe(who is listed as having the degree of DAD!) is as clever, as hilarious, and as expert as any parenting manual since the time of Dr Spock! Written in the style of a manual that one would find inside the box of a computer or other mechanical product, this little book gives all the information needed in preparing to be new parents, in the first year of the baby's life, and in the care of baby in the new home into which the 'product' is introduced. This book is so well written that it could be read merely as a comedy by people who have no intention of bringing home a new baby. But is also a nearly indispensible volume for new parents. This is one of the best 'prenatal' or shower gifts you can find for the expectant parents ( or grandparents). On every level THE BABY OWNER'S MANUAL: OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS, TROUBLE-SHOOTING TIPS, AND ADVICE ON FIRST YEAR MAINTENANCE is an unqualified success. Learn and Enjoy!

I got this book for my husband when we were expecting our first child. I didn't think he would want to read the other baby books I got, and this one seemed to be more on par with a guy's thinking process, since it kind of reminds me of a car manual. I absolutely loved this book, and it's not geared specifically for just men or women. Everyone can enjoy it and get a good laugh from it. But I think it's less intimidating of a baby book for men. I was really surprised how often my husband read his copy. While it does have a humorous tone, it does have practical and helpful advice any new parent can use. My husband ended up using his book all the way up until our child reached age 1. Each month my husband would flip through the book to see what things our child would be mastering at that time and the next month. We ended up passing this book along to my sister and her husband when they were expecting. It really is a great book and I highly recommend it. Great for a baby shower and for the father-to-be.

My husband received this book because we are having our first baby. I never thought that he would read a baby book but this book is totally for men and helps them through key things like changing a diaper etc. It is written sarcastically and in car lingo all for men. I flipped through it and all the information is right on but the illustrations and sense of humor makes men really able to read it. I highly recommend this book for men who are on the fence about reading a baby book. They will not only learn valuable information but be entertained as well.

I bought this for my husband during the Christmas I was pregnant as a joke - but he loved it! It is very entertaining but there is a lot of good information for someone who will be a first time parent. We have purchased a few since then for a few friends!

Anyone with the intelligence and ability to get themselves out of bed in the morning and dress themselves is going to find this useless. It's all common sense, and really doesn't actually offer any real information. I also found the language chosen to be very annoying. Some of the illustrations are cute, though.

I purchased this book for a friend after reviewing several other baby books on line for "new dads." I was offended by many of them and found them unsuitable for giving as a gift. I happened upon this "owner's manual" and it was just right for the soon-to-be dad. It appeals to the logical-minded man or woman who just wants to know what he or she could be doing when the new baby (called "your model" in the book) acts or reacts in certain ways. It provides straightforward information from the basics (how to hold a baby) onward through feeding, bathing, changing and more. It is funny and informative without being preachy or crass, and the pictures are a priceless imitation of pictures in an instruction manual. Some reviewers have mentioned getting tired of the baby being referred to as "your model" and the doctor as the "service provider" but I found it very consistent with the tone of the book. My mother-to-be friend (who is a doctor) says her husband carries it around everywhere and often asks her questions from it; the information (from her perspective) is pretty reliable, as one would hope from a book cowritten by a physician. Give this one a try. I am considering purchasing a copy to keep around for the next baby gift I need to give. In the meantime, I can read it cover to cover.

This book is a great gift for a new dad. Written by guys for guys, its straight-forward, bullet-point approach and user's manual structure make it easy to find what you need when you need it. And the playful style of the authors truly makes this a guide to "deriving maximum performance and optimal results from your newborn."

My favorite sections were Understanding and Installing Diapers and the chapter on Feeding: Understanding the Baby's Power Supply. Since I had no idea how to take care of a newborn, it really helped to read through how to plan, stage and trouble-shoot for these high-maintenance areas.

Although I would not say this should be your only reference (it's a small book, certainly not comprehensive), it's fun and useful. Most pregnancy and baby books have to be written with lowest common denominator in mind. I've skimmed countless pages that tell you obvious things like don't drop the baby on its head. It was refreshing to read something that just gets to the point and is structured like a typical manual. And when they state the obvious, they do it with humor. "When the baby enters sleep mode,..."[you should get some sleep too.] I think being male and into tech makes this book more engaging, but my wife also likes it.

I got this book as a shower gift and I have to admitt it was one of my favorites. I enjoyed this book very much because I wasn`t bogged down in medical terms, get the "What to Expect" series for that. I laughed many times through out the book on its humorus way of comparing a baby with a machine with needs, but at the same time giving me useful information on first year baby care. Since this is my first child I was nervous about the part where I have to take the baby home. But this book put my mind at ease and I felt that I could now handle the challenge. There are funny pictures on how to change a diaper and buying information on strollers, cribs and other baby items. Best part of all, the book was light enough for even my husband to read, a man who has never even changed a diaper before, now that deserves an extra star!

This was a humorous look to raising a baby. Going through the book I found myself laughing at how some of the ideas were presented. At the same time, the book does have some great tips that are both easy to follow and implement. This is a great book for any new parent who has no clue what is in store for them. In fact I passed this book on to a new parent that I knew and they too thought it was a great book. So pass this on and share the parenting wisdom!

As silly as you may expect this book to be, as a first time mom, I found it pretty darn helpful and practical. I really like the part where it tells you how to wrap the baby like a burrito, kind of like how they do it in the hospital. The nurses do it so quickly you can't really follow what they're doing, but the book actually gives you step-by-step instructions on how to do it. There's tons of great advice and tips on how to care for your newborn in the book, and you'll be laughing hysterically the whole time. Great for moms AND dads AND grandparents.
** Disclaimer: If you have NO SENSE OF HUMOR, this book is not for you.

I have not yet birthed my spawn, but this book made the idea of caring for a newborn seem a lot more manageable. So many books are so over the top with information and warnings, and this is so straightforward and humorous that after reading it I calmed down and started getting excited, instead of terrified.

Edited:
I now have a 21 month old. I recommend/gift this book to everyone I know who is expecting. Still my favorite baby book.

Got this book for a shower gift. Was very disappointed in the things they say to do. Like bedsharing, and other unsafe things and sleeping habits for your child. Wouldn’t recommend it to any new parent.

After purchasing the Pregnancy Instruction Manual and enjoying it, I decided to buy the Baby Owner's Manual. However, I was disappointed. It lacks a lot of information I would like to know. My husband likes using this one. I think the compactness of it suits him. We also have the What to Expect the First Year book and I'm certain the volume of that one intimidates him. However, I prefer the latter as it has more information and I need all I can get!

We received this book as a gift. It is great! It combines sarcasm with useful advice for childcare. It reads a bit like an operation manual for an electronic product. I won't say it has all the information you ever needed for caring properly for your infant. What book does? However, this book is very thorough while keeping from being a bore to read. It also provides some very useful charts for feeding, sleep, bowel and bladder function.
-Kiki

Although What to Expect and Dr. Sears are nice books, what was missing for me was a book with "just the facts" no discussion of parenting styles or anything along those lines, just "if baby is crying it may be b/c of x, y or z." And this book provides that in a simple, clear and amusing way. It's what we used when we prepared to give a bath for the first time to our newborn. It's listing of games and exercises for development has been useful. And it has provided much needed laughs at times. I love the discussion of stuffed animals and how the model will not believe that stuffed are not alive until 10 or 12 years of age. I'm not giving it 5 stars b/c I wish it dealt with stuff in the same detailed way beyond 6 months.

I'm pregnant with my first child and have lots of child experience, but my husband is worried he's going to "brake" the baby when she comes, this book helped to put his mind at ease and its so funny! Its helpful and does not have any extra information you don't need. I would defiantly recommend this book to those people who have little experience with children or are worried or who like to read electronics equipment instructions.

I buy this book as a gift for my engineer friend, and it was her first baby. The book cover the basics on what to do as a new mommie. She loved the book and made her laugh through this new process of "being a mom".

Funny. Informative. Hip, great design. Good conversation piece and coffee table book. Great gift for baby shower and Father's Day. My husband, who does not pick up a book to read unless he really has to, loved the book. It's a manual, so he can understand this language and the simple follow the pictures instructions. The information is actually, very acurate, and a lot quicker to gather than loooong text books. To the point. You don't "need" this book. But you'll absolutely love to have it or give as a gift!!! If you don't have a baby in sight, get the "Dog Owner's Manual", just as much fun!

My husband and I purchased this book and we both like it a lot. I have read the full manual a few times but when there is something wrong or something I just need to look up or reference it is quick and to the point so that you can get back to baby quickly. I would recommend it for any first time parents not just fathers.I also found it funny since they reference the baby and everything as if it were a car manual.

This is a book for dad. Written in the style of an automotive owners guide. Easy to find info, easy to get to the info you want without a bunch of preachy rantings of someone tying to convince you they know everything. Doesn't get bogged down in feelings like the books on mama's nightstand.

I got this for my husband who is an engineer and he has really enjoyed it. It's great seeing him so interested in reading it and also laughing throughout his reading. I'm looking forward to reading it myself once he's finished.

This book was a baby shower gift for our friends who were expecting about 2 years ago. Apparently they still reference the book quite often and learned A LOT from this book, which stands out from other 'new parent' books. The writing style certainly helped both parents, especially the dad, keep interest!

Today I purchased the Toddler Owner's Manual and I can't wait to hear feedback from them as they read, and possibly learn from the text. I have high hopes for the next installment!

When the time comes, several years down the road, I may have to purchase a copy for myself!

Very informative in an extremely funny way. I bought this as a baby shower gift for a unisex baby shower and the men loved it, especially the new father who is also a mechanic and all around Mr. Fix It. It's a humourous "how to" that your DIY Daddy will love.

Purchased for my engineer husband, first time dad with no prior baby experience. He studied it before our baby was born and will still refer to it as our baby gets older. Nice diagrams and instructions for basic baby care that his analytical mind can comprehend. Best baby care book out there. Direct and to the point but doesn't take itself too seriously. Highly recommended!

I've bought this book for the last three friends of mine that have had babies and they all love it. It looks like a joke, sort of like a car or appliance manual, but it actually has a tremendous amount of practical advice for new parents. I even have another friend that's put her request in for the same thing when she gets pregnant.