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Pregnancy and baby birth all seem like a woman’s forte, but we forget an equally important partner in crime – the father. It takes two to make a baby, and unfortunately, that is a very easily overlooked fact. After getting all the gifts we need for the mom and the baby, it’s also wonderful to get something for the dad.
But what do you buy the father of a new baby? Mommy and baby gifts are quite apparent since anyone can anticipate a new mommy’s needs. The list is as long as a baby’s needs – from breastfeeding essentials to hospital bag necessities and post-partum gifts for mom.
However, a gift for the gentleman who made it all possible might not be so obvious. There isn’t much he can do with nursing bras and sitz bath essentials, but does that mean we shouldn’t get him anything? When shopping for a new dad’s gift, it’s best to consider what he’s like and what gift will be most practical for him. This article shares 13 thoughtful gift ideas for a new dad to make it easy for you.
In this article
What Do New Dads Need After Birth?
When you have a baby, you’ll need things that will be practical to make your life and movement more comfortable. The best gift ideas for new dads should be ones that will make helping with the baby stuff more efficient.
Getting a gift that will facilitate his learning to deal with the baby will also help. Moms have instinct and intuition, but most dads will need lots of training and information before they can do an excellent job with the baby.
With babies comes sleep deprivation, a flurry of activities, and exhaustion that can quickly drain energy and joy out of daily life, however much you love your baby. A gift that can be a source of fun for both the new dad and mum or even the whole household will be invaluable.
If you’re chewing your nails trying to find the perfect gift for a new dad, calm down and make a choice from the list below.
Related article: 9 Best Gift Ideas for A New Mom That She’ll Actually Use
13 Best Gift Ideas for New Dads
#1 The Dad Hoodie
Most men love practical items, something that has more than one use, how else do we explain the Swiss knife? A dad hoodie is a wonderful gift idea for a new dad who wants to be hands-on in the care of his child.
It’s a practical gift who doesn’t like having their hands full? A dad hood comes with many inner pockets that can be perfect for the extra diaper, diaper cream, miniature feeding bottle, pacifier, and even a snack for daddy.
Find out the man of the moment’s favorite color and get him a hood or two to rock on his walk with the baby.
Buy “I Make Cute Babies | Funny New Dad, Father’s Day Daddy Humor Unisex T-Shirt on Amazon
#2 Daddy and Baby Matching Outfits
Who doesn’t love how cute little matching outfits for daddy and baby look? There are numerous words, pictures, and cartoons you can print on a baby and daddy matching outfit.
Buy Dad and Baby Matching Outfits Daddy Gifts for Men Father Daughter Shirts Set on Amazon
Cute and cheesy things you can print off a gift for a new daddy T-shirt include battery low and full battery; big man and little man; I make adorable babies, and the adorable baby; a slice of pizza on the baby t-shirt, and a full pizza with one piece missing on daddy’s shirt – the list is endless.
Buy Tstars Daddy and Son Matching Outfits Dad of a Prince Father Son Matching Shirts Set on Amazon
This is among the best gift ideas for new dads who love being unique and standing out. The cheesier and more creative the message, the better.
Read more: Expert Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Newborn
#3 A Dad Mug
A coffee mug with sentimental words printed on it is a good gift idea for a new dad. If he’s a man who loves his tea or coffee, you can make him a portable coffee mug to keep his coffee as warm as his heart. Everyone at work will know not to touch the dad mug.
Buy Best Dad Ever Mug on Amazon
#4 A Parenting Book
Babies don’t come with a manual, but many moms, dads, and pediatricians have attempted to create some for new parents. A good baby book is one of the best gift ideas for new dads. While there’s no textbook-defined method of taking care of babies that works for every baby, some tested and tried strategies seek to explain different aspects of baby care.
Grab a good book on sleep training, baby feeding, or even explaining the baby’s cries and gift it to a new dad. It’ll be a valuable pass-time activity and very handy when faced with a screaming beauty who he’d have had no clue what to do with had he not read the book.
There are dozens of books on shelves that purport to be the ultimate baby whisperer, but this is the one time when you’re allowed to judge a book by the back cover. Look out for trusted authors and titles, do a review of the book, and even ask a few other parents who may have read it. Find out what their thoughts on the books are and if the methods suggested therein were useful or even scientific. Doing this will prevent you from gifting a new dad a book that will mess up his baby-rearing practices.
Here are examples of books that make the best gift ideas for new dads:
- Sleep Training: Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems
- Baby Feeding: The Pediatrician’s Guide to Feeding Babies and Toddlers
- Baby Cries: Calm the Crying: The Secret Baby Language That Reveals the Hidden Meaning Behind an Infant’s Cry
- Happy Baby: The Happiest Baby on the Block; Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition: The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Newborn Baby Sleep Longer
- New Parents: On Becoming Babywise
#5 A Baby Carrier
Carrying babies is only reserved for mommies, right? Wrong. Have you seen how adorable dads look when carrying a baby in a carrier in the front, looking like they aren’t feeling the weight of that little bag of cement?
A baby carrier is a good gift for a new dad because hard as it may be to believe it, those biceps will eventually get tired of carrying the baby. Daddy will need something to keep the baby off his hands.
Buy Mens Tactical Baby Carrier for Infants and Toddlers 8-33 lbs – Compact on Amazon
A baby carrier for dad is a beautiful gift idea for new dads who want to look like cool dads. Choose a carrier that has side pockets for dad to throw in his phone and other odds and ends to keep his hands free to support the baby.
Buy Lalabu Dad Shirt | Baby Carrier | Baby Wrap | Babywearing | for Dads on Amazon
You can also choose a masculine baby carrier by going for less bright colors such as black, grey, and navy blue. It’s a wonderful thing when there’s a select carrier only meant for daddy. And since it’s universally known that dads can’t multi-task, this will be a great way for a dad to prove the universe wrong when he can carry the baby and take the trash out at the same time.
#6 Portable Bluetooth Speaker
Once the baby comes, many luxuries will need to be let go of or rethought altogether. One of those luxuries will be how loud the music will be. Some babies may have a problem falling asleep with loud music on. Although we shouldn’t exactly put them in a silent bubble, there are times when we just need to give them the silence and peace they need to sleep for everybody’s sanity.
Get a portable speaker for the dad who loves his music to help him take his music away from the resting baby. A portable speaker is also a good accompaniment for daddy and baby strolls.
Buy Bose Home Speaker 500: Smart Bluetooth Speaker with Alexa Voice Control Built-In on Amazon
A portable speaker can connect to the baby monitor to help the daddy know what’s happening in the baby’s room from his working space outside the living room.
If you’re wondering what to gift a new dad who seems to have everything, this would be a pleasant surprise.
Related article: How to Survive the First Month with a Newborn
#7 Daddy Kangaroo T-shirt
Babywearing is recommended for the baby’s growth and bonding between the baby and their parent. Mommies have the advantage of babywearing because of the availability of feminine baby wraps, but what’s a dad supposed to do? A kangaroo shirt is the daddy’s version of babywearing and is one of the best gift ideas for a new dad.
Buy Amropi Mens Kangaroo Jacket for Dad and Baby Carrier Hoodie Pullover Sweatshirt on Amazon
Keeping the baby close to the body helps comfort the baby and calm it down. It’s also recommended for babies born with less weight to regulate their heat and weight.
Get the WW Kangaroo Dad T-Shirts Short Sleeve Baby Carrier on Amazon
Help make this baby and time special with a T-shirt that comes with a special pouch for daddy to tuck the little person as they bond.
#8 Branded Water Bottle
You don’t have to get a baby-related item for daddy, so an unrelated item such as a branded water bottle would be great. If the man in question is sporty, this would be a great accessory to his exercise routine.
Have a professional brand the water bottle with something cheesy or just lovely about being a daddy.
Buy the Best Dad Ever Water Bottle on Amazon
There’s no better way to let people know what an awesome daddy he is than with something he can carry around. A water bottle is also likely to last forever, especially if you choose a material that’s not brittle.
#9 A Baby Scrapbook
If you thought scrapbooks were only for high school, well, think again. A parenting book is a fantastic gift idea for a new dad to put his memories of the parenting journey.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift that will be a way to create and save memories, then a scarp book is the one you should choose. As the baby grows older, they can make memories together and revisit them as they bond over the journey that has been.
Gift a new dad the Keepsake Baby Memory Book for Baby Boy or Girl – Timeless Baby First 5 Year Baby Book
This is a perfect gift for the dad who enjoys journaling or taking photos.
#10 A Diaper Set
While a diaper set may seem like a gift for mommy, it’s a fantastic gift for a new dad as well. Taking care of the baby is a family effort; it will be a great help if daddy knows a thing or two about diapers and how to change them.
Gift a new dad a diaper set and give him a few lessons on what everything is for and even how to change a diaper. This can be a fun daddy’s baby shower where he gets diapers, baby oil, baby wipes, and a changing mat. A few people could also ‘teach’ him the purpose of all those things and how to use them on the baby.
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This is a fun induction into fatherhood, and it’s bound to draw lots of laughs as you teach him the basics of child care.
Related article: 12 Diaper Changing Hacks for New Moms
#11 A Manly Diaper Bag
Whether or not he’s planning to be a stay-at-home dad, there will be times when he needs to go out with the baby alone. As we know, baby bags are very, well, babyish. They are brightly colored with cartoon characters, or teddy bears are drawn. This may embarrass even the most outgoing of men.
Gift a new dad a Diaper Bag Backpack
A manly diaper bag is one of the best gift ideas for a new dad. It allows him to be involved in his daddy duties without feeling in the least emasculated or self-conscious.
Related Article: 13 Must-have Newborn Essentials
#12 A Photo Frame
The space beside his desk at work is about getting a new occupant – a baby photo for all his visitors to gush over. A photo frame for the first baby photo is one of the most sentimental gifts for a new dad.
Buy a Dad Picture Frame on Amazon
You could go a step further and personalize the frame or have it custom-made for the newest father in town. This will be a thoughtful and timeless gift for the new dad.
#13 A Digital Camera
Family is not just about doing life together; it’s also mostly about making memories together. A new dad will have lots of memories to make, but with all the stuff he needs to buy for the baby and the family, he might forget or not be in a financial position to buy this one thing – a camera.
Gift a new dad the Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm Lens
If you’re looking for a timeless gift for a new dad, grab him a digital camera and empower him to make memories with his newly expanded family.
Also Read: 5 Creative Ways To Create Memories With Your Kids (For Free)
FAQs
- What do you buy the father of a new baby?
Some of the best gift ideas for new dads include a manly diaper bag, a baby carrier, a branded mug or water bottle, and a digital camera to capture the memories of the new journey.
- What do you put in a daddy survival kit?
Some of the key items a new dad needs during the first few months include cute matching t-shirts, a baby carrier, parenting books for dads, and a coffee mug.
- What does a father do after birth?
Fathers can provide support to their wives by caring for the baby as the mother rests. They can also help with skin-to-skin care which is great for newborns.
- What does a dad need in a hospital bag?
Some of the basics to include in a daddy hospital bag is healthy snacks, comfortable clothes, toiletries, books, headphones, an insurance card, and cash.
Final Thoughts
These gift ideas for new dads are meant to remind him that although he may not look like he’s not the star of this show, he’s an integral cast member who cannot be ignored. Buy a gift for a new dad a gift to show him that he’s valuable and appreciated as a dad.
If you’re still unsure of what to get a dad-to-be or soon-to-be dad, it doesn’t hurt to ask him what he’d prefer. You might get the weirdest stares and requests, but at least, you’ll get him something that he will appreciate as it would meet an immediate need or desire. And even after, you can throw in a surprise gift for him as well.
Which gift ideas for new dads did you like? Please share in the comments. Don’t forget to share this article with your friends.
Read Next:
- 12 Diaper Changing Hacks for New Moms
- 5 Creative Ways To Create Memories With Your Kids (For Free)
- 9 Best Gift Ideas for A New Mom That She’ll Actually Use
- 15 Must-have Newborn Essentials
