Traditionally, parenting a baby was seen as a mother’s burden. But in the modern world, parenting is rightfully a co-ed task. This means both men and women equally prepare (and get nervous) for their new arrival. And after the birth, both moms and dads change diapers, read to their newborn and get up in the middle of the night to see what all the fuss is about.
The new age of co-ed parenting also means that baby showers aren’t just for women anymore. Increasingly, fathers-to-be are present at the baby shower and even invite their male friends to participate. So it only makes sense that gifts for dads-to-be are more popular than ever.
If you have a male friend or loved one who is expecting, you may be wondering when is the best time to give them a gift in anticipation of the coming birth. The most appropriate occasions include:
- The baby shower (as discussed above)
- The Father’s Day before the birth
- At the hospital after the birth (for family)
- At the gender reveal party
Whether you’ve been invited to a co-ed baby shower, are celebrating Father’s Day early or you simply want to acknowledge the joy and difficulty ahead for a new father, we’ve found 15 of the best father-to-be gifts for new dads. From digital cameras to daddy-themed books, any excited, expecting father is sure to appreciate one (or all) of these items.
1. Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer
BEST OVERALL
Reading to a baby creates an unbreakable bond. The sound of your voice and the physical closeness works wonders. Not only does a baby learn vital communication through reading, it also learns more about the person doing the talking. For that reason, one of the best gifts you can buy a father-to-be are children’s books. In particular, Just Me and My Dad by Mercer Mayer is a classic daddy-child book that is sure to be read hundreds of times over the first few years of life. This funny and heartwarming book is a great anytime gift for dads.
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2. Daft Baby Pizza Pie & Slice Matching Clothing
BEST FOR THE FUNNY NEW DAD
Cool dads eat pizza, but even cooler dads wear matching pizza outfits with their baby. This funny set includes an adult-sized T-shirt showing a pizza pie with one slice missing as well as a baby onesie showing the missing slice. The set is available in either gray or black and comes in a variety of sizes for both dad and baby. Plus, as the family grows, the adult tee can be replaced with another showing more slices of the pizza missing.
3. Sexiest DILF Mug
BEST MOMMY TO DADDY GIFT
He’s officially going to be a dad, but is he a DILF? If you’re the lady in his life, you may want to gift him this novelty mug. Alongside a cartoon of Yoda, the words “Yoda Sexiest DILF” will remind him that you’re still into him, even if he has a dad bod now. This 10-ounce mug is microwave and dishwasher safe and is available in three different color combinations.
4. The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD
BEST FOR THE NERVOUS NEW DAD
Born from the successful book by the same title, The Happiest Baby on the Block is full of useful tips. Thousands of parents have followed and thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Karp’s five methods for keeping a baby happy. The methods are designed for babies under three months, and the DVD gives you short, to-the-point tidbits on how to put the methods into action to stop your baby’s cries. With over 1,250 five-star reviews on Amazon for the DVD and several thousand more positive reviews for the book, The Happiest Baby on the Block is a must for fathers-to-be.
5. Personalized Daddy and Baby Bonding Activity Ideas
MOST PERSONALIZED GIFT
Moms and babies bond in a variety of natural ways, from breastfeeding to daily skin-to-skin contact. Dads may not have the same opportunities, unless they create them. Yet some dads may not know exactly what bonding activities look like. If that’s the case with your favorite dad-to-be, consider buying him some Personalized Daddy and Baby Bonding Activity Ideas. This personalized jar contains 15 tokens with activity ideas for daddy and baby to do together. There’s also an option to add blank tokens so you can make your own bonding activities, too.
6. Letters to You Hardcover
BEST SENTIMENTAL
This is one of the sweetest gifts you could give a father-to-be. The premise of the book is that the dad writes letters to his child every year. Then, the book is given to the child as a graduation or wedding present. Inside the hard cover, the book includes writing prompts and plenty of space for dads to wax poetic about their child’s life. For a gift that will be appreciated for years to come, you can’t go wrong with the Letters to You Hardcover.
7. Tactical Baby Gear Tactical Cooler Pouch
MOST MULTIFUNCTIONAL GIFT
When you’re out and about with a baby, you need a lot more gear than you might think. In addition to the diaper bag and stroller, a new dad will likely need to carry bottles of milk if he’s going to be apart from the baby’s mom for an extended period of time. To make that task a little easier, Tactical Baby Gear has designed a Tactical Cooler Pouch. This pouch has straps to attach to a belt or another bag as well as a large Velcro patch on the exterior, and it can hold two 9-ounce baby bottles along with ice packs to keep them cool. It’s available in four camo-inspired colors.
8. Fridababy Fridaballs Boxer Brief
BEST SILLY GIFT
Pregnancy can be a tense time for new parents to be. For any moms-to-be who need to make their male counterparts laugh a little should gift them a pair of these Fridababy Fridaballs Boxer Briefs. Carrying your young is a rite of passage, but as any experienced father will tell you, a tiny foot can cause a lot of pain when kicked in the wrong direction. These boxer briefs prevent that ball-busting pain by providing a built-in, foam cup. Plus, the moisture-wicking fabric and secure-fit waistband keep everything fresh and comfortable down there.
9. Tile Pro with Replaceable Battery
BEST FOR THE FORGETFUL NEW DAD
New dads have a lot on their minds. From pediatrician appointments to feeding the dog, there’s a lot to forget, especially with a sleep deprived brain. Too often new parents are running late to their next big event, so make those moments a little bit easier by ensuring they aren’t rushing around trying to find their keys or phone. To do so, gift a Tile Pro to any fathers-to-be in your life. These nifty little devices attach to any objects you might misplace and tether them to your smartphone. Simply download the Tile app, and you can see exactly where your missing items are. Alternatively, ask your phone to make the Tile Pro ring to hear exactly where your keys are.
10. DadWare Original Bondaroo T-Shirt
BEST FOR BONDING
There are so many benefits to skin-to-skin bonding between baby and dad, including improved sleep, less pain for the baby and the creation of a stronger family unit. The DadWare Original Bondaroo T-Shirt makes skin-to-skin contact super easy thanks to its low cut v-neck and Velcro closures. The shirt itself is made from super soft terry fabric, and the Velcro is seamless and safe for the baby and the father. This is a great gift to give a dad to be before the birth, so that he can wear it to the hospital.
11. SOELAND UV Smartphone Sanitizer
BEST FOR CLEANLINESS
According to some reports, the average phone carries over 25,000 bacteria per square inch. New parents really don’t want all those germs coming into contact with their baby. For that reason, we recommend gifting dads-to-be a smartphone sanitizer. The SOELAND UV Smartphone Sanitizer eliminates 99.9% of bacteria from the surface of a smartphone, making it a safer surface for both parents and baby.
12. HighSpeedDaddy Diaper Bag Backpack
BEST FOR THE ACTIVE NEW DAD
This tactical diaper bag backpack was built for the difficult job of keeping a baby happy on the go. It looks like any military-grade backpack, but inside, you’ll find space for diapers, bottles, a diaper changing mat, baby wipes and all the other gear you need. Stroller and padded shoulder straps allow you to wear the bag on your back or attach it to your baby’s stroller. Plus, as your family grows, this backpack has enough room to fit a toddler’s toys in the main compartment and a baby’s diapers in the back.
13. BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One
BEST PRACTICAL GIFT
As much as we imagine babies sleeping, eating and playing at home, new parents definitely need to get out and about with their little one. To make traveling around the city a breeze, gift the father-to-be a BabyBjorn Baby Carrier One. Considered the top baby carrier, this ergonomic device can hold children from birth to 36 months and can be adjusted to fit a wearer of any size. In addition, the BabyBjorn allows parents to carry their child on their front or their back and allows the child to be either front facing or back facing.
14. Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit
BEST FOR CREATING MEMORIES
Everyone knows babies are the cutest, especially when they are your own. That’s why every father-to-be needs a way to capture the beauty of new life. If you want to spend a bit more, a nice mirrorless camera is a gift that will last. The Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless Camera Kit is one of the best models on the market, and this set comes with an EF-M15-45mm lens to get you started. Plus, it has an improved Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus system, letting daddy take pictures of his bundle of joy even when he or she is most active.
15. BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller
BEST SPLURGE
Active dads will definitely want a well-made jogging stroller, so that they can maintain their daily runs while on baby duty. The BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 is a great choice. It boasts an adjustable height handle bar, air-filled tires and a smooth ride suspension system. Because this jogging stroller is quite expensive, it might make a good joint gift for both mommy and daddy or you might want to go in on it with other baby shower attendees.