When preparing to receive a baby into your life, the often forgotten character is the new dad. 

Yes, the one who has to go through the whole process of being pregnant and delivering a baby is the mom-to-be, but that little bundle of joy is also important for the dad.

Many dads are highly involved in the whole pregnancy and raising children. It seems unfair that dads don’t get the recognition they deserve.

So as part of the celebration and preparation for when the baby arrives, aside from the baby shower, think of getting a nice gift for dad too. It can be practical, functional, or simply for kicks and giggles. But it’s an excellent way to say, “Thank you for being part of this baby’s life.”

Maybe you may be wary of adding an extra cost to an already hefty budget, but rest assured that there’s an option for everyone and every budget.

Gifts for expecting dads

Show the expectant dad some love. While dad also has some share of the limelight in a diaper party, it doesn’t hurt to have a gift for the man of the house. Here are some great gift idea to choose from:

1. Camera

Babies grow up so fast that it may seem like a blur. 

One day you have a new baby in your life, you blink, and now you have a toddler running around.

A great way to memorialize those changes and the beautiful chaos of raising children is by capturing images of everyday life, their first holiday, the first time they raise their heads, and so on.

Of course, cell phone cameras nowadays come with all the features and perks. Still, if the father-to-be likes to experiment and get professional-like results, a professional camera is not only one of those thoughtful gifts, but also one of those practical gift ideas.

For the foreseeable future, you will find him with the camera always nearby.

2. Skin-to-skin bonding t-shirt

Moms have nine months to bond with their babies as they grow inside them. 

They feel every movement; once the baby is born, they’re wired to recognize mom from her smell and voice. 

Such is not the case with dads not only because of the physical aspects but also because, as involved as the father may have been during the whole pregnancy, he didn’t get the chance to experience it the way mom did.

And this is not bad, it’s just different, and that’s why dads require an extra effort to bond with the baby.

Skin-to-skin contact has limitless benefits on the baby’s development and emotional health. It’s usually performed between mommy and baby as soon as they’re born, but dads can also experiment with fantastic results.

According to Dr. Nils Bergman, just 30 minutes of skin-to-skin with the father rewires the dad’s brain and encourages the bonding process.

You can do it by simply removing your shirt and placing the baby, who’s only wearing a diaper, against your chest and holding them there. 

But there’s also a wonderful gift called DadWare Bondaroo Skin to Skin Kangaroo bonding T-shirts that facilitate this task while keeping the baby snug and warm against daddy.

3. The dad hoodie

Not your typical hoodie with a fun message for expecting dads, this is one of those cool gifts you’ll want for yourself.

The dad hoodie is like a wearable diaper bag with lots of pockets to store baby items such as diapers, baby powder, a baby monitor, and a disposable changing pad. He can carry all these baby stuff around in insulated pockets without losing his cool and style.

Designed by a father who understands what new dads need, it’s made out of stretchy fabric lined with a breathable material making it one of the best new dad gifts. It comes in four colors and from sizes small up to XX-Large.

4. Dad box

Many expectant fathers preparing to receive their baby may feel like prepping to go into war or at least for the unknown, especially for a first-time father.

The New Parent backpack crate is a fun but practical gift that includes everything the expectant father needs. 

It comes in an actual wooden crate that requires a crowbar to open it (included with the box).

Its contents include a high-quality backpack diaper bag, two cans of Red Bull, Perky Jerky, Jolt Gum, two bottles of 5-hours Energy Drinks, and Sunflower seeds for daddy.

Baby essentials included in the box are: a pacifier pouch, baby blanket, changing pad, mustachifier (a pacifier with a mustache), baby wipes, and a sippy cup.

You can customize it and add candy, more bags of jerky, nuts, and a t-shirt.

5. Parenting books

It’s not only mommy who needs to educate herself about the challenges she will face after the baby’s arrival but expectant dads need to as well. 

So a thoughtful gift may be a good parenting book that confronts them with the reality of raising and caring for a baby.

The New dad’s survival guide is one of those useful parenting books that sheds light on the confusing stages and offers practical advice from a man’s point of view. 

Scott Mactavish wrote the New Dad’s Survival Guide as a military-style survival guide, so it is not only helpful but funny as well.

Another excellent example of a parenting book for first-time dads is “The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads to be” by Armin A. Brott. This book collects wisdom from obstetricians and hundreds of real-life dads to offer some insight to new parents.

6. Coffee mug or tumbler

Let’s face it; once your newborn baby is born, there won’t be much sleep around the house, not even for new dads, so that caffeine will become a survival need. 

And if dad is always on the go, the tumbler will become his best friend.

There are a lot of ideas and options with designs to celebrate the expecting father. Coffee mugs or tumblers are a perfect gift for a restricted budget because of the wide variety available. 

Most stores can personalize the coffee mug or tumbler at an extra cost.

7. Coffee subscription

Want to be extra thoughtful after a sleepless night for dads? Plan and set up a coffee subscription from Trade.

How does it work? 

First, set up a profile with the new dad’s preferences about coffee, and based on your answers, they will match the coffee bags you will receive. 

You can even set up the frequency you want him to receive them and be prepared for him to be surprised because he will receive a new coffee every time.

Such a fun gift for the expecting dad and the mom as well, because sharing is caring.

8. Pampering gifts

Expectant dads need to rest and be taken care of to recharge before the upcoming arrival. 

That’s why some of the best gift ideas include pampering products to make dad feel loved and cherished.

The MZOO sleep mask is made out of soft and moldable memory foam to adjust around your face and effectively block out the light. 

Its concave shape allows you to move your eyes around, which can be uncomfortable with a standard flat sleep mask.

Face wash and face mask will be welcome additions to the skincare routine of sleep-deprived new father’s tired skin after those long sleepless nights. 

Remember they’re sold separately, and the one you choose must fit the dad’s skin type (oily, dry, normal, or sensitive).

9. Frida balls boxer briefs

This one is a hilarious but handy gift for an expecting dad. 

Why? Because babies and toddlers tend to kick everything they can reach, the closest area may also be the dad’s nether regions if the dad is carrying them in a baby carrier.

FridaBaby has developed a line of baby products that target those weird needs that most brands have long ignored. Protecting daddy’s genitals from the baby’s happy kicks or punches will be appreciated.

First Fathers day gift ideas

Some of the gifts we added to the list above can be given as a first father’s day present as well, but here are a few ideas that make a great gift for father’s day.

1. Daddy and baby books

Reading time with the little one can be a special bonding moment between dads and their kids while mommy gets some much-deserved me-time.

A large selection of children’s books focus on the dad and child relationship, and it would be a lovely thoughtful first father’s day present.

Some of the best-seller books include:

• I love you to the moon and back – by Amelia Hepworth
• Baby Touch: Hello Daddy – by Ladybird
• I Love you, Daddy – by Jillian Harker
• The Dinosaur That Pooped Daddy! – by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter

You can either get individual books or set up a bundle so dad can have some options to switch around every day.

2. Daddy and baby matching outfits

An excellent gift idea for either the expectant dad or for father’s day, a matching-designed baby bodysuit and t-shirt for the dad is a winner. Get your camera ready for the many moments you’ll want to take.

It can be personalized designs or a matching combination of shirt and pants; whatever you choose, he’ll love the idea and have fun with it.

A tip is to get a picture frame to place the best picture from that day and either put it at home or give it as an additional present to dad to set in his office for everyone to see.

3. Silence is a Scary Sound book

Nothing feels better than being understood and seen, and sometimes new dads feel like they’re alone on the road.

One of the best gifts available in this book, “Silence is a Scary Sound” by Clint Edwards, is a collection of real-life stories from the author’s life while raising three small children. 

It’s a hilarious narration of what to expect in parenthood, primarily through the dreaded terrible twos and threes.

4. Dad jokes book

Another idea regarding dad books is one full of dad jokes to get them started with the lame one-liners.

“Dad Jokes” by Jimmy Niro has a collection of 600 jokes to start practicing ways to embarrass your kids in the future.

Another best seller is “The Ultimate Dad Joke Book” by Hugh Murmie, with a collection of 501 puns, one-liners, and family-friendly jokes.

5. Daddy keychain

A personalized keychain with a picture of the sonogram or newborn baby is a sweet keepsake and one of the best gifts for new dads on a budget.

They can carry it around and show the baby’s picture proudly.

6. Smartphone UV sanitizer

The UV sanitizer is an innovative gift for the whole family because phones contain bacteria and dirt. If you’re dealing with a small child, you want to be as clean as possible, but using hand sanitizer on your phone may damage its coating.

The PhoneSoap 3 kills 99.99% of the bacteria and viruses that attach to your small gears or phone, and it’s backed by ten years in UV technology, making it a dad’s favorite.

It comes in a variety of colors to choose from.

7. Multipurpose tool

With kids, anything can happen at any given moment, so the new dad will want to be ready to face each challenge.

Great new dad gifts more appropriate for father’s day include a multipurpose tool such as a Swiss army. 

You can get a lot or only a few tools, but you’ll always have ways to solve anything without carrying around a heavy toolbox.

8. Tile tracker

Dads tend to lose their stuff all the time, which may increase as a new parent facing sleep deprivation and stress.

The Tile tracker and the Tile app help you quickly find your valuables, so no one needs to run around the house locating the car keys when they need to leave in a rush.

Conclusion

Send some love to dad with these gifts that will surely be a hit. Whether it be the nifty gadget, the fun books to read, or the basic mugs, the new dad will appreciate the thought that he is never left out in the cold when the new baby arrives.